Page Forty-two

Capture of Faenza
15 – 22 December, 1944. Meanwhile 5 CORPS were to attack across the RIVER LAMONE SOUTH-WEST of FAENZA with 2 NEW ZEALAND DIVISION on the RIGHT. The latter would attack NORTHWEST to cut Route 9 WEST of the town. Then the decision was made to stand on the line of the SENIO for the rest of the winter.

“A” Squadron of 10 HUSSARS relieved “C” 48 R TKS (13 Dec) NORTH-EAST of FAENZA and the regiment was withdrawn to FORLI area to constitute a part of the FAENZA task force (43 INDIAN BRIGADE GROUP) with the role of clearing FAENZA should be enemy fail to withdraw from the town when outflanked by NEW ZEALAND attack. The alternative role, should the enemy withdraw, was to clear Route 9 and to protect 2 NEW ZEALAND DIVISION’S RIGHT flank on the advance to the RIVER SENIO.
At 1600 hours 14 Dec 48 R TKS in FORLI received a warning order placing them at 4 hours’ notice to move with effect from 1200 hours 15 Dec. The NEW ZEALAND attack SOUTH-WEST of FAENZA was due to commence night 14/15 Dec, but events moved less swiftly than anticipated and it was NOT until 1830 hours on 16 Dec that “A” Squadron was ordered forward (to move at first light on morning of 17 DecA). It was evident that a street-fighting role would be unlikely since only isolated snipers and demolition squads remained in the town. 2/10 GR had already pushed through FAENZA and advanced to the line of the railway NORTH of the town and on the morning of 17 Dec “A” Squadron 48 R TKS would support 2/6 GURKHAS attacking through 2/10 GR to occupy the line SAN SILVESTRO (3127), RUDICANA (3026), crossroads 294274, crossroads 289279. Speed was essential and infantry would NOT wait for the tanks should they be held up by the railway embankment or the canal beyond.

By midday on 17 Dec the FAENZA BAILEY bridge had been completed and “A” Squadron moved over the river into the central square of the town. The bridge was still under enemy machine gun fire and snipers still haunted the city’s thoroughfares. Ground reconnaissance during the afternoon revealed that it would NOT be possible to cross the railway embankment without RE assistance, since to the WEST where the going was easier the approaches had been heavily mined.

The general situation on the FAENZA front that evening, when Commander 48 R TKS held his ORDER GROUP for forward move of “B” and “C” Squadrons, was that the enemy had been reinforced by 29 PG DIVISION who had relieved the battered remnants of 26 PANZER DIVISION. The advance of the FAENZA TASK FORCE to the NORTH was being held up by elements of both 29 PG and 278 INFANTRY DIVISIONS. A new attack was to be launched 18 Dec on two-battalion front.

RIGHT - 2/8 GR supported by “A” Squadron' LEFT - 2/10 GR supported by “C” Squadron, with limited objectives aimed at clearing the enemy from Route 9. 2/6 GR and “B” Squadron would provide reserve. The squadrons would move up to FAENZA commencing 0400 hours 18 Dec.