Struggling to find Italian locations of 289th Siege Battery in late 1918

[Buffnut453]

My Granddad served in the 289th Siege Battery in Italy during the latter part of 1918.  

 

According to the 80th RGA Bde War Diary, the 289th was at the following locations:

 

1 Aug 1918:  Completed the move to VAL SCALETTA.

30 Oct 1918:  Pulled out of their position at VAL SCALON (presumably the same place as previously-mentioned Val Scaletta) and "moved forward to a position at PELLEY CROSS close behind original British front line."  Was in position and operational by 0730 on 31st.

 

The War Diary also mentions a number of target areas including:

 

22 Aug 1918: Bombarded area between DOVER and CHATHAM trenches

26 Aug 1918: Supported a raid on VAISTERSPUR.

28 Aug 1918: Bombardment of the enemy’s trench system from ROANA-MEZZASELVA. [I think I've found Roana and Mezzaselva about 56km north of Vicenza]

29 Aug 1918: Bombardment on EARLSFIELD trench.

31 Aug 1918: Bombardment of the enemy’s trench system from BOSCO-ROANA. [I think I've found Roana and Bosco (Buscar) about 56km north of Vicenza]

9 Sep 1918: Bombardment of AMBROSINI [I think I found Ambrosini about 28km NW of VIcenza].

5 Oct 1918: Wire cutting between ROANA and DONCASTER trenches.

26 Oct 1918: Supported raid on STELLA FORT and AMBROSINI.

 

 

 

Can anyone out there in GWF land help me confirm the places I think I've located, and identify the other missing locations?  I'd be hugely grateful since my Google-fu has let me down this time.

 

Many thanks in advance,

Mark

Edited 18 September , 2020 by Buffnut453

[sotonmate]

There are operational map folders at Kew. One which contains quite a few sheets and would help, covers 1 Aug to 29 Sep 1918 and is:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1633527

Not digital though.

[Buffnut453]

4 hours ago, sotonmate said:

There are operational map folders at Kew. One which contains quite a few sheets and would help, covers 1 Aug to 29 Sep 1918 and is:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1633527

Not digital though.

 

Many thanks for the pointer.  It's too bad they aren't digitized.  I'm heading to Kew a week on Friday but I already have my 9 documents ordered.  I guess I'll have to add this to my list for next time, whenever I can get back to Blighty.  

[sotonmate]

B

 

Is that the rule currently, that you can't order more on the day when you have finished your 9 ?  I haven't been for 18 months now but always managed a good score throughout the day, once I had arrived I ordered more,even before I had started my pre-orders !

[sotonmate]

4 minutes ago, sotonmate said:

B

 

Is that the rule currently, that you can't order more on the day when you have finished your 9 ?  I haven't been for 18 months now but always managed a good score throughout the day, once I had arrived I ordered more,even before I had started my pre-orders !

Now see your point, having read the new rules ! Is there anything that you can download free from home to make more searches, or is it too late having placed your 9 doc order ?

[Buffnut453]

I'll have to look at my booking and see if they'll let me swap out one file for another.  It would seem sensible given that I'm still a week away from my visit.

 

In more positive news, I think I've found the location of Val Scaletta which appears to be a mountain/hill just north of Asiago.  Google was my friend and pointed me towards these driving directions to reach a hiking trail from Asiago:

 

"The starting point of the itinerary can be reached by car from Asiago in the direction of Trento. Past Camporovere and the Val d'Assa, continue on the provincial road for about five kilometres, reaching the area of the dirt road that branches to the right in the direction of Galmarara (indicator sign not clearly visible). You take this road that goes up to half-coast on the south side of the Val Scaletta until you reach the valley floor again at the crossroads of Basa Senocio."

 

There are no villages in the area but I've located Galmarara, so I'm guessing Val Scaletta lies to the east of the modern road SP349 somewhere near the Basa Xenocio parking lot.  

 

The only problem with this location is that it's north of Asiago when I thought the British front line was somewhat south of the town.