|
Crossing of Canale Naviglio
The consolidation and linking up of Canadian bridgeheads over the LAMONE was completed by evening of 12 Dec, and throughout the day of 13 Dec C Squadron 12 R TKS were engaged in support of 48 HIGHRS during which action a somewhat inconclusive duel took place between 11 troop and a Panther tank at very close range. It was NOT until early on 14 Dec that A Squadron moved across the River, making use of a Class 4 0 Bridge in the 5 ARMOURED DIVISION area (at 454415); the bridge was incidentally found to be heavily mined after all the tanks had crossed. Canadian infantry had meanwhile established a bitterly contested bridgehead over the CANALE NAVIGLIO NORTH-EAST of BAGNACAVALLO, but the enemy still clung desperately to his positions in front of the town, and it was against these that A Squadron would support 3 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE attacks.
At about 1500 hours, 3 Troop ofA Squadron 12 R TKS moved up the road towards BAGNACAVALLO: Commander 12 R TKS had arranged with CRA 1 CANADIAN DIVISION for a dense barrage of mixed smoke and high explosive to be put down on the SOUTH side of the town to hide the tanks crossing the VECCHIO Canal. At the same time the DAF carried out low-flying attacks in the area to blanket the noise of the tracks on metalled road. All this support achieved its aim: the tanks joined up with a company of R 22e R and an attack supported by fire from 4 Troop and A Squadron 95 mm tanks was put in on the brickworks SOUTH of BAGNACAVALLO. The objective was saturated with BESA and 95 mm fire and the infantry had little difficulty in occupying it and in seizing 36 PW who seemed overwhelmed at the sight of tanks. The tanks remained with the infantry all night and succeeded in beating off several enemy counter-attacks and in inflicting many casualties.
The next day, 15 Dec, R 22e R, still supported by two troops of A Squadron 12 R TKS, attempted to move forward from the Brickworks but stubborn opposition prevented this. The enemy counter-attacked again after dark, and the tanks had a good close range Besa shoot, destroying several enemy armed with Bazookas.
By noon 16 Dec B Squadron were up to provide two troops who with the whole of C Squadron supported the RCR and 48 HIGHLANDERS in an attack towards the CANALE NAVIGLIO, WEST of BAGNACAVALLO. B Squadron troops supporting the RCR had a most successful shoot and killed some 40 enemy with close range Besa fire in the area of CASA GUERRA (395363). C Squadron and 48 HIGHRS met opposition from the NAVIGLIO Canal and a plan was made to use Flame-throwers; this was subsequently abandoned owing to difficulties of moving cross-country and to the presence of several sniping SPs on the SOUTHERN flank. Meanwhile A Squadron 75 and 95 mm tanks had engaged targets in BAGNACAVALLO while two troops remained with the company of R 22e R in the brickworks.
Next day on 1 CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE sector two companies of the RCR succeeded in crossing the NAVIGLIO CANAL supported by 11 Troop of C Squadron 12 R TKS - they were shortly afterwards compelled to withdraw in the face of strong enemy pressure. That night (17/18 Dec) for the first time a CROCODILE flamethrower was used by C Squadron in support of a company attacked by RCR against some buildings (365374). The effect was remarkable: blazing houses lit the midnight sky. More tangible results were harder to discover, since no live enemy were found by the infantry, who arrived after an interval on the scene of destruction.
A further attempt was made on 18 December to cross the NAVIGLIO CANAL by H&PER and the RCR supported by B Squadron 12 R TKS. The attack was a failure and unsatisfactory from a tank point of view since it was found impossible to use ARKS in the canal.
The following day, 19 Dec, a plan was made to establish a further bridgehead over the NAVIGLIO NORTH-EAST of BAGNACAVALLO, 2 BRIGADE to be supported in this operation by CROCODILES of C Squadron. This plan was, however, changed and 2 INFANTRY BRIGADE carried out the operation unsupported by tanks.
|