Page Fifteen

(c) The Plan. The attack was to be carried out in four phases:

Phase I.
(a) 3 CANADIAN iNFANTRY BRIGADE with under command 12 R TKS from Start Line RIVER MARANO to capture SAN MARTINO - SAN LORENZO feature —856929— 861836—862915 — 861917 and to exploit to the RIVER AUSA in area 849938.

(b) 1 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE with under command 48 R TKS to pass through 3 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE to cut the coast road NORTH of the airfield (8893) and cut off the enemy facing 3 GREEK MOUNTAIN BRIGADE.

Phase II.
2 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE with under command 145 RAC and 3 CANADIAN BRIGADE with under command 12 R TKS to capture SAN FORTUNATO feature —939960— 831943.

Phase III.
2 CANADIAN BRIGADE to form bridgehead over RIVER MARECCHIA and to cut Routes 9 and 16 in vicinity of road junction 835988.

Phase IV.
(To take place during Phase II).
1 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE to turn NORTH and mop up all enemy resistance in RIMINI.

Detailed dispositions and grouping of troops is contained at Appendix ‘A’.

(d) ‘D’ Day for Phase I of this operation - 14 Sep.

Advance over RIVER MARANO to RIVER AUSA
(12- 18 September).

By 12 Sep it became apparent that the GREEKS would be unable to secure the line of the RIVER MARANO by 14 Sep, and so CYR were put in on their LEFT with instructions to clear the enemy SOUTH of the river and secure a small bridgehead from which the major attack could be launched. CYR supported by ‘B’ Squadron 12 R TKS put in an attack at 1830 hours on 13 Sep on to C GALLI and GHETTO DEL MOLINO, both in 8890. Stiff opposition including tanks was encountered particularly on the LEFT, but by midnight both infantry and tanks had made progress and were firm on positions at C GALLI and C IMALA, 8889.

During the night 13/14 Sep CYR with ‘B’ Squadron 12 R TKS in support had to clear more ground SOUTH of the river so as to enable R 22e R, supported by ‘A’ Squadron, and the WNSR, supported by ‘C’ Squadron, to be in position on the lateral road across the river, which was the START LINE for the advance on to the SAN MART1NO - SAN LORENZO ridge. CYR and ‘B’ Squadron did invaluable work during the night and took part in much close quarter fighting, thereby enabling the other two battalions to move forward on their LEFT. The R 22e R with ‘A’ Squadron had the easier approach and by 0830 hours two companies of infantry and two troops of tanks were safely over the MARANO. The WNSR and ‘C’ Squadron had a much more difficult time and several tanks were bogged in a wadi. There were also several pockets of resistance over the river which had to be mopped up. As a result of this, when ‘C’ Squadron eventually crossed the river in the afternoon, they were low in petrol and ammunition and had to be replenished. This took place under heavy shellfire. Meantime on the RIGHT R 22e R had advanced and had reached the road junction 877922 without much opposition. They then encountered heavy fire from TIGERS and self-propelled guns from the front and RIGHT flank. During the afternoon by use of smoke one troop got as far as the cross-roads at SENSOLI 8792 but suffered casualties including a first-rate Troop Leader, Lieutenant HILL, and had to withdraw. The Reconnaissance Troop working on the RIGHT flank spent the afternoon watching to Mark IVs and reporting valuable information.

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