"On January 20th we moved up HWY 6, into position between Cervarra and Casino. The 120 days that followed were not the healthiest, for here was "Purple Heart Alley" proper. The Alley of nightly air raids, and every spot a target for enemy artillery. It wasn't all taking it; for we gave "Jerry" plenty to think about, with the pay-off coming with the offensive in May. The "Krauts" pulling out from in front of the "Fighting French" were caught in the Bottleneck as Esperia, and they really got to know what "Whispering Death" was. The guns, tanks, men and material we saw there a few days later was proof of that. Eleven or our comrades were left there at Cassino, having given their lives. Many others would carry the scars of Cassino through life, all carried a greater determination to help bring it all to an end. 45,459 rounds were fired while in position at Cassino."
"Any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed." - "Mad Jack" Churchill DSO MC