Page Forty-four

ADVANCE TO THE River Senio
19 December, 1944 – 2 January, 1945.

By 23 Dec the enemy had fallen back to the line of the RIVER SENIO opposite BAGNACAVALLO with out posts on the EAST bank. A large pockets and remained SOUTH and SOUTH-EAST of COTIGNOLA, making use of the VECCHIO and the NAVIGLIO as switch lines in front of the SENIO. 12 R TKS was now disposed as follows.

“A” Squadron harboured in area 439357 preparing to move the next day to support RCD NORTH of BAGNACAVALLO. “B” Squadron in area 412352 about to move into “A” Squadron’s old harbour. “C” Squadron at 412352 with two troops forward supporting 48 HIGHLANDERS. The following day “B” Squadron moved back to CORTINA (438356) and “A” Squadron concentrated in BAGNACAVALLO with two troops forward in support of the RCD, who had now taken over the sector. There followed a period of intensive indirect shooting (punctuated by occasional sallies up to the SENIO to discourage enemy outposts on the EAST bank) of which the following is a summary: Decenmber 26
“B” and “C” Squadrons prepared to support RCR in an attack towards the river in the COTIGNOLA area. The attack was to have included a flamethrowing operation but this was cancelled and heavy DF combined with strong enemy counter-attacks compelled a withdrawal on the apart of RCR.

December 27
“B” Squadron harassed the Sugar Factory in GRANAROLO and the 95 mm tanks of “A” Squadron obtained direct hits on enemy weapon pits on the front of RCD. 3 Troop of “A” Squadron moved up to within a few hundred yards of the river bank and saturated the area where enemy digging had been in progress the day before. 4 Troop kept up its fire all night long.

December 28
“B” Squadron carried out indirect shoots in the GRANAROLO area and “A” Squadron continued their support in the RCD sector.

December 29
Two troops of”B” Squadron supported an attack by R 22e R and CYR to the banks of the RIVER SENIO at 364372 and C RANOI 371348.

December 30
“A” Squadron carried out shoots with an Air OP, and obtained hits on several occupied houses and an enemy self-propelled gun, which was destroyed.

December 31 & January 1
“B” Squadron carried out to indirect shoots, one on the buildings at 364356 and the & other on GRANDAROLO. “A” Squadron continued their fire support on both these days. Late in the afternoon of 1 Jan, the whole of “B” Squadron moved to a new harbour area at 419331.

48 R TKS commitments between Christmas and the New Year involved only “B” Squadron. On the morning of 23 Dec, OC “B” Squadron was informed by Commander 2/6 GR that the infantry battalion was taking over a sector of the SENIO LINE immediately NORTH of Route 9 and later that day official warning was given that “B” Squadron would commence support of 2/6 GR on 25 Dec. On Christmas morning a composite troop of ”B” Squadron, consisting of two CHURCHILLS V (95 mm) and one CHURCHILL 75 mm, moved to farm 273267 to support “C” Company 2/6 GR close to the Route 9 bridge over the RIVER SENIO. There the troop was later reinforced by other elements of “B” Squadron who continue to give fire support to 2/6 GR until 30 Dec, when they were relieved by a squadron of 19 NEW ZEALAND ARMOURED REGIMENT. Reconnaissances of the SENIO were made during this period for suitable crossing places. Although these details were NOT required until some months later, they proved useful in planning the eventual crossing by 7 ARMOURED BRIGADE in the Spring offensive.

Turn to the next page
or return to the
Index