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21 October
Following the failure to maintain a bridgehead in place of heavy opposition, the Divisional plan was changed. The Brigade Commander attended Divisional Commanders conference at 0830 hours to learn the scope and character of these changes. The main repercussions of the new plan on this formation were that 12 R TKS would be withdrawn for rest in area GATTEO and that 145 RAC, less one squadron in divisional reserve, would be placed in support of 2 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE for the impending assault on the SAVIO LINE.
The enemy was firmly established on the far bank of the SAVIO and had taken care to sew the EAST bank with scattered S and TELLERM1NES, which caused casualties to infantry patrols on night 20/21. Odd snipers and machine-gun posts still remained EAST of the river and contributed to the hazards of daylight reconnaissance. 2 NEW ZEALAND DIVISION on our RIGHT had by this time reached the line of the SAVIO and on the LEFT 4 BRITISH DIVISION were firmly established across the river SOUTH of CESENA, though meeting heavy opposition.
At 1030 hours Commander 145 RAC returned from attending Order Group at Headquarters 2 INFANTRY BRIGADE and held his Regimental Order Group at Main Headquarters 691021. The gist of these orders was briefly as follows. On night 20/22 Oct, 2 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE would attack across SAVIO supported by A and B Squadrons 145 RAC, form a bridgehead and advance to line of road running NORTH through PIEVE SEST1NA 580111. On the RIGHT SEAFORTHS would cross at 592105; on the LEFT LER at 692095 to be supported, as soon as RE reported crossing open, by A and B Squadrons 145 RAC respectively. It was NOT envisaged that tanks would be able to cross or to give any support before first light and, once the crossings were opened, the tactical situation would determine whether tanks or M.10s crossed first. Assembly area for A Squadron was group of buildings 620095, for B Squadron the area of crossroads 614088. START LINE the NORTH SOUTH road immediately EAST of SAVIO. H hour 2000 hours 21 Oct.
A small deception plan involving the use of tanks of C Squadron 145 RAC (in divisional reserve) was worked out and was in fact implemented. They caused a small diversion by a great show of ferocity in the area of the railway bridge over the SAVIO at 588083.
The last hours of daylight were spent in making detailed arrangements for infantry and tank support. The swift change of plan had resulted in some difficulty in obtaining the requisite air photograph cover, since all available stocks had been distributed to 12 R TKS, but as events turned out there was more than enough time for re-distribution and study of photographs among junior commanders
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At 2000 hours the artillery barrage began and the two attacking infantry battalions moved forward to crossing places and, in spite of heavy DF on these crossings, made good progress. By 2040 hours LER had passed one company across and at 2015 contact had been made with SEAFORTHS on the other side of the river.
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