Page Twelve

Advance to line of River Melo and aggressive patrolling to River Marano
3 – 12 September 1944

At 0200 hours 3 Sep 48 R TKS moved forward to make contact with the H&PER. On arrival at MONTE ALBANO at 0600 hours, OC ‘C’ Squadron was ordered to make up a composite squadron of three SHERMAN troops and one CHURCHILL troop and with two companies of infantry and two troops of M.10’s to pursue the enemy, who were reported to be pulling back to RIM1NI, delaying only long enough to blow the bridges en route.
By 1400 hours the forward elements of this force were held up by a blown bridge one thousand yards SOUTH-EAST of RICCIONE. An effort by the Reconnaissance Troop to fmd a way round the obstacle to the NORTH-EAST was stopped by fire from houses near the beach. By 1600 hours, however, a diversion had been completed and the column move forward again with a section of the Reconnaissance Troop leading. After advancing a mile, the leading HONEY was hit from behind by a skillfully hidden anti-tank gun. This was the signal for a hail of mortar and machine-gun fire, which prevented further movement by the Reconnaissance Troop. As it was now apparent that a position of some strength had been met, OC H&PER, who now assumed command, at once made a plan to push left-handed to SAN MARIA and then to rejoin the main road further NORTH and by 1900 hours the Force was on the move. Confusion was caused by the appearance of AFVs SOUTH of SAN MARIA. These turned out to be elements of 5 CANADIAN ARMOURED DIVISION. By last light the tanks had NOT reached SAN MARIA and it was decided that the infantry would push on into the village, where they would be supported at first light next day by the tanks. Earlier on that day, at 1000 hours, ‘A’ Sqn 48 R TKS had received orders to move in support of the RCR in an attack on Point 434 (9389). This was successfully accomplished by 1700 hours and the position was consolidated.

4 Sep was a long and arduous day during which much hard and bitter fighting took place for ridge running NORTH and SOUTH through SAN MARIA, which was most stubbornly held by parachutists. The enemy were holding CECCARINI and SAN MARIA and the high ground between with the forward defended localities near the stream and houses EAST of the ridge. The forward companies of H&PER had been held up during the night by small arms and mortar fire. Much difficulty was experienced in planning the attack on the village owing to heavy fire and continual sniping and it was NOT until 0900 hours that the leading troop with a company of H&PER moved off in an attempt to subdue enemy resistance in the area about Point 575, which lies SOUTH-EAST of CECCARINI and NOT until 1030 hours that the remainder of H&PER and the tanks swung into an olive grove and on towards the SOUTH side of SAN MARIA. From then onwards throughout the day a bitter struggle took place for the possession of SAN MARIA and the ridge running NORTH. Time and again the tanks were able to reach objectives but the infantry were NOT able to capture the positions owing to the skilful defence of the paratroops, who were in considerable strength. Faustpatrones were used frequently and sniping was incessant, Lt THOMAS, a splendid Troop leader, being killed instantly at close range. It was particularly hard to see where the fire was coming from and the battle became most confused. At 1300 hours a fresh plan was made and an attack was launched by one company and all remaining tanks to capture Point 76 on the road between CECCARINI and SAN MARIA and then to advance on CECCARINI. This attack went in at 1435 hours and Point 76 was soon in our hands. The Company Commander thinking that resistance was merely at an end in the village, a single SHERMAN was left to guard this flank while the remainder of the force spread out and the fans on CECCARINI. Trouble then started from anti-tank guns to the WEST and machine-gun fire from both NORTH and SOUTH and it was necessary to pull back and consolidate on Point 76. While the tanks were getting into position, one tank commander, observing a house to his RIGHT, had his curiosity aroused by seeing a white flag being waved at the edge of one of the gardens. Closer inspection revealed a pretty and apparently unconcerned Italian girl gathering the washing with her right hand whilst waving a pillowcase, evidently the largest and whitest garment of the week’s laundry, with her left. At 1930 hours, as the light was beginning to fail, after bitter close quarter fighting, the tanks were withdrawn and, shortly after, the infantry were pulled back so that during the night the enemy positions could receive a real treatment from the Artillery.

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