Page Thirty-seven

On the LEFT “A” Squadron planned for 1 Troop to support a company of R 22e R in an attack on the railway bridge NORTH-WEST of RUSSI (416352), which was then still unblown. The attack began at 1500 hours, tanks moving behind the rear infantry platoon so that noise of tracks would NOT bring down enemy shell fire on the leading infantry. One man from the tank troop accompanied the infantry company commander on foot to act as a link between tanks and infantry. This liaison worked well. Accurate shooting was difficult with visibility obscured by thick vineyards, in spite of which enemy infantry in houses were engaged with both 6 pounder and BESA. The infantry worked their way to within 200 yards of the railway bridge, where they were held up by heavy machine gun and mortar fire. As dark came, the tank troop was pulled back to harbour in the outskirts of RUSSI.

Another troop of ”A” Squadron had meanwhile relieved 1 Troop “B” Squadron 6 R TKS in support of the RCD, protecting the LEFT flank of 1 CANADIAN INFANTRY DIVISION (410306).

While 12 R TKS was thus committed, 48 R TKS had been placed at 1700 hours 2 Dec at 24 hours’ notice to move forward to come under command 5 CORPS with a role in support of 43 GURKHA BRIGADE, relieving the troops of NIH hitherto in their support. The first squadron to move forward (“C” Squadron) would move on night 3/4 Dec and with effect from 4 Dec 48 R TKS was under command 5 CORPS. At 1100 hours 4 Dec the Brigade Commander, Brigadier D. DAWNAY, DSO, therefore attended a conference at Headquarters 10 INDIAN DIVISION reference the employment of 48 R TKS, who were to be used, it appeared, in support of 43 GURKHA BRIGADE in a purely holding role on the LAMONE RIVER NORTH of Route 9.

The transporter move of squadrons of 48 R TKS duly began on night 4/5, transporters returning to RICCIONE with squadrons of NIH, who were withdrawn for a well-earned rest in rear areas. 48 R TKS Main Headquarters opened in FORLI on 4 Dec and by 6 Dec Tactical Headquarters had been established (397253) and “C” Squadron had taken over support of the GURKHA BRIGADE (402285).

During the morning of 4 Dec the two leading battalions of 1 CANADIAN INFANTRY DIVISION, the CYR and R 22e R, had widened their front along the RIVER LAMONE (432377 - 416353). Meanwhile, 1 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE moved into a concentration area EAST of the RIVER LAMONE preparatory to securing a bridgehead on night 4/5 Dec. 12 R TKS less a troop and a 95 mm CHURCHILL tank of “C” Squadron in support of CYR remained in the area RUSSI.

At 2200 hours 1 BRIGADE began their attack across RIVER with RIGHT H&PER and LEFT RCR. The attack at first made considerable progress but at 0500 hours 5 Dec the enemy counterattacked vigorously, supported by self-propelled guns. By 0800 hours the battalions of 1 INFANTRY BRIGADE had withdrawn back to the EAST bankm,of the river.

With 5 CANADIAN ARMOURED DIVISION on the RIGHT lining the River LAMONE for a stretch of six miles and with 1 CANADIAN DIVISION holding the EAST bank as far SOUTH as 390331, there only remained isolated enemy pockets EAST of the river. One in the RCD area in the vicinity of the railway was singled out for combined infantry and tank attack. “A” Squadron 12 R TKS would support RCD in an attack on the occupied buildings on 6 Dec. Tank support would take the form of indirect 75 and 95 mm fire, with a troop of 6-pounder tanks available for close support if necessary. The fire opened at 1800 hours but RCD were unable, even so, to cross the railway. The 6-pounder troop therefore moved forward unsupported by infantry and, working down a track beyond the railway, opened up such a stream of fire, high explosive, armour piercing and BESA, against the houses on the river bank, that all the buildings were set ablaze and the hostile occupants put to flight. Only when their ammunition racks were empty did this troop return to rally.

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