Page Fourteen

Phase I.
Operations from 25 August - 21 September (Continued).
The capture of Rimini.

Introduction.
The following is an account of the operations of 21 Tank Brigade (Brigadier D. DAWNAY, DSO) between 7 Sep and 23 Sep 44 in the RIMINI area.

From 7 Sep to 14 Sep the Brigade rested, reorganised and prepared for the operation to capturc the SAN FORTUNATO feature, which lies to the WEST of RIMINI. The attack was opened by 3 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE supported by 12 R TKS. They crossed the RIVER MARANO the night 13/14 Sep and attacked the SAN LORENZO - SAN MART1NO ridge) 8691). All three infantry brigades and tank battalions were eventually committed in the battle for this feature and the SAN MARTINO end of it was NOT secured finally till 19 Sep. But meanwhile on that same day the assault was launched on the main SAN FORTUNATO feature (8394). Infantry Brigades and tank battalions were somewhat mixed up in this assault. After a bridgehead had been secured over the RIVER AUSA, two infantry battalions and two squadrons of 48 R TKS finally broke out of the bridgehead on the morning of 19 Sep. A tough fight continued all that day and the next, on which for the infantry and squadrons of 145 RAC were committed. On the 21 Sep the whole feature was in our hands and during that day a small bridgehead across the RIVER MARECCHIA was seized against light opposition. The task of 21 Tank Brigade was then completed and the same day the 2 NEW ZEALAND DIVISION passed through.

Situation and General Plan.

(a) The period between 7 and 14 Sep was for 1 CANADIAN DIVISION and 21 TANK BRIGADE a period of rest and maintenance. By 8 Sep all three infantry brigades were out of the line and planning commenced for the next phase of operations - the capture of RIMINI. The coastal sector meantime was taken over by 3 GREEK MOUNTAiN BRIGADE with a task of securing the line of the MARANO RIVER.

The general situation was that on the LEFT of 1 CANADIAN iNFANTRY DIVISION the enemy was putting up fanatical opposition on the rising ground in area CORIANO. Until this area was finally cleared no further advance could be made in the coastal sector.

The plan for the next phase of operations was that troops of 5 CANADIAN ARMOURED DIVISION were to assault and capture the CORIANO ridge on ‘D’ Day (the 12 Sep) and that on ‘D’ Day +2, 1 CANADIAN DIVISION was to attack across the RIVER MARANO, secure the features SAN LORENZO - SAN FORTUNATO and form a small bridgehead over the RIVER FARECCHIA to allow 2 NEW ZEALAND DIVISION to pass through.

(b) Intention.

1 CANADIAN DIVISION with under command 21 TANK BRIGADE and 3 GREEK MOUNTAIN BRIGADE was to thrust NORTH-WEST, envelop RIMINI from the WEST and secure a bridgehead over the RIVER MARECCHIA.

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