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Phase II.
The following is an account of the operations carried out by 21 Tank Brigade (Brigadier Dawnay, DSO) from the River Pisciatello to the River Senio.
Introduction
On 11 Oct 1 CANADIAN DIVISION took over the front astride Route 9 and this Brigade went once more under command of 1 CANADIAN CORPS with a view to supporting 1 CANADIAN INFANTRY DIVISION. Owing to the recent heavy rains the ground was in no condition for the use of tanks in large numbers and 12 R TKS (less one squadron) and 145 RAC moved forward, leaving 48 R TKS in the RICCIONE area.
On 16 Oct 12 R TKS tied up with 2 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE for the advance to the RIVER PISCIATELLO and the attack started that evening. ‘B’ Squadron 12 R TKS crossed the river after some difficulty on the afternoon of the 18th and they assisted the infantry in the capture of PONTE DELLA PIETRA. Early on the 19th ‘A’ Squadron, with the PPCLI, attacked through PONTE DELLA PIETRA and by 1730 hours that day they had reached SAN EGIDIO (6108), meeting only moderate opposition. They then pushed on with 2 CIB to the RIVER SAVIO, the next big water line to which the enemy had withdrawn. Meanwhile, on the LEFT, ‘C’ Squadron 145 RAC in support of R 22e R of 3 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE crossed the PISCIATELLO and advanced to the outskirts of CESENA, which they reached by 2200 hours, meeting very little resistance. On 20 Oct ‘C’ Squadron 145 RAC continued to support R 22e R towards the RIVER SAVIO, while CESENA was cleared by the CYR.
12 R TKS was now withdrawn for a rest and 145 RAC tied up with 2 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE for the assault on the RIVER SAVIO. At 2000 hours, 21 Oct, the infantry attack commenced. A bridgehead was secured and held against armoured counter-attacks but there was no good site for a bridge on this sector and another assault further NORTH was proposed. But the bridgehead that had been secured was enlarged and on the night 23/24 Oct the enemy withdrew to the line of the RIVER BEVANO. ‘B’ Squadron 145 RAC then crossed the SAVIO by a bridge in the 5 CORPS sector and joined the PPCLI. ‘C’ Squadron 145 RAC also moved up in support of 3 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE and an advance on a two brigade front commenced. The RIVER BEVANO was crossed without much difficulty, the enemy making little stand there, and the RE made a ford for the tanks. They pushed onto the NORTH of FORLIMPOPOLI.
At this point heavy rains fell and the ground became very difficult for tanks. 145 RAC were
put in support of PORTER FORCE, whose task was to clear the area to the NORTH as far as the
RIVER MONTONE and to where the FUIME UNITI flows into the sea SOUTH of RAVENNA.
They remained on this task throughout November. Meanwhile 12 R TKS pulled out and they and 48
R TKS did training for future operations.
On 2 Dec 12 R TKS was again up with the CANADIANS. By first light 3 Dec ‘A’ Squadron were across the RIVER MONTONE in support of the R 22e R and
‘C’ Squadron followed in support of the WNSR and they advanced on RUSSI. By the 4th 3 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE had reached the RIVER LAMONE on a wide front.
At the same time 48 R TKS had moved up and come under command of 5 CORPS, in support of 43 GURGHA
BRIGADE. By the 6th ‘C’ Squadron was with the brigade on the line of the RIVER LAMONE to the NORTH-EAST of FAENZA. Theirs was purely a holding role and between 6 and 12 Dec only indirect shooting by both battalions across the river was possible. But on the night 10/11 Dec 3 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE managed to secure a bridgehead over the RIVER LAMONE SOUTH-EAST of BAGNACAVALLO. Tanks, however, could NOT get across to support the infantry until the night 12/13 Dec. ‘C’ Squadron 12 R TKS crossed that night and joined the 48 HIGHLANDERS in the bridgehead.
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