Page Eighteen

During the night 17/18 Sep SEAFORTHS attacked twice but with no success, although they inflicted severe casualties on the enemy. The advance prior to the main attack was timed to begin at 0500 hours but as SAN MARTINO was NOT in our hands the EDMONTONS, supported by ‘C’ Squadron 145 RAC, were diverted to secure it. Meanwhile PPCLI with ‘B’ Squadron in support and CYR with ‘C’ Squadron 12 R TKS moved forward so as to cross the START LINE, which was the railway and still in enemy hands, at 0700 hours. The advance went best on the LEFT and by 0700 hours tanks and infantry were just short of the railway but here they met stiff opposition from all arms and one tank was knocked out from a gun on the LEFT flank. Making a fresh plan, infantry and tanks moved round to their RIGHT and the infantry reached the river where they were pinned. Two more tanks were then hit from anti-tank guns firing from the main feature. On the RIGHT the EDMONTONS got into SAN MART1NO were street fighting took place, but they were unable to complete its capture, while PPCLI got to within 500 yards of the railway before being stopped by fire of all descriptions.

By midday the position had NOT improved; dominated by the SAN FORTIINATO feature, handicapped by poor visibility and opposed by skillfully sited weapons of every variety, both infantry and tanks were fighting an uphill struggle. A plan was made to contain SAN MART1NO and to switch the EDMONTONS, supported by ‘C’ Squadron less a troop, behind the PPCLI and thence to come up on their RIGHT. This order had only just been put into effect when the DIVISIONAL COMMANDER ordered 2 BRIGADE to stand fast and to consolidate in their present positions. ‘B’ Squadron 145 RAC by this time was depleted and their Squadron Leader, Major INGRAM, had been killed. On the LEFT CYR were also ordered to stand fast and to prepare to make a limited bridgehead over the RIVER AUSA during the coming night while the PPCLI went ahead with their crossing.

The capture of San Fortunato.

The plan was then for the H&PER, supported by ‘A’ Squadron 48 R TKS, and WNSR, supported by ‘C’ Squadron 48 R TKS, to pass through to break out from the bridgehead at first light 19 Sep and to capture COVIGNANO 8395 and SAN FORTUNATO 8394 respectively. All went well during the night and CYR successfully and most skillfully established a bridgehead area 8493 by 0345 hours. “A” and ‘C’ Squadrons, helped by artificial moonlight were on the move before first light and completed the crossing of the RIVER AUSA by means of the ARK, which had been put in position by the REs. It was difficult for both Squadrons to contact their infantry on the far side owing to the fact that it was imperative that the crossing and the open ground beyond the river should be made under the cover of semi-darkness and smoke. Mopping-up had NOT been completed and there was still a number of machine guns giving trouble as troops moved forward. Eventually, however, both squadrons managed to join their infantry. A bitter struggle then ensued for these two objectives. The enemy had several TIGER tanks and self-propelled guns in most dominating and well-concealed positions from which he had splendid observation. On the RIGHT to the attack proceeded to within 30 yards of the crest, the tanks during the last stages having to proceed single file up the steepest of tracks covered by smoke. Here one tank was bazooka’d and hand-to-hand fighting took place. As the infantry had NOT arrived, this position was untenable and by 1100 hours the Squadron pulled back to a position by a farmhouse near the objective, where it was subjected to very heavy and accurate shellfire. At last light it was decided to pull back a little further back so as to enable the artillery to give the objective severe attention and the tanks were refuelled further back.

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