21st Tank Brigade

21st Tank Brigade Narrative

Page Fifty-four
Preparations for the Spring Offensive

General
These were for the main attack on the RIVER SENIO by EIGHTH ARMY. 5 CORPS were to attack on the RIGHT with 8 INDIAN DIVISION, with under command 21 TANK BRIGADE, and 2 NEW ZEALAND DIVISION on the LEFT. POLCORPS were to attack on the LEFT of 5 CORPS and NORTH of Route 9. 2 NEW ZEALAND DIVISION and 8 INDIAN DIVISION were to cross the SENIO with a wide gap between them, converging WEST-NORTH-WEST of LUGO and cutting off any enemy left in the pocket between them. They were then to force a crossing of the RIVER SANTERNO. 8 INDIAN DIVISION was to attack on a sector from just SOUTH of FUSIGNANO to the LUGO - RUSSI railway. CREMONA ITALIAN COMBAT GROUP was to stage a diversionary attack NORTH of FUSIGNANO with “B” Squadron NIH in support and if possible exploit on the far bank of the RIVER SENIO.
Equipment
(a) All regiments received a four compliments of CHURCHILL tanks before the op      operations started, SHERMANS being replaced by 75 mm CHURCHILLS.
(b) “C” Squadron 12 R TKS (Major E.H. MILVAIN, MC) were to man 12      CROCODILES for the initial assault and then hand them in and revert to their      gun tanks. There were later occasions in the offensive when “C” Squadron      were again required to man CROCODILES.
(c) In addition two tanks per squadron were fitted with three-ton fascines for      crossing of small obstacles.
(d) Three SHERMAN DOZERS and three CHURCHILL BRIDGELAYERS, manned      by BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON personnel were available for      allotment to regiments for specific operations.
Enemy Dispositions
(a) Infantry.
The line between LAKE COMACCHIO and a point just SOUTH of LUGO was held by two divisions, 42 JAEGER and 362 INFANTRY DIVISIONS. These were up to strength and were expanded by units of the ITALIAN FASCIST ARMY, which was sandwiched between GERMAN units in various parts of the line.
(b) Armour
There were estimated to be 25 - 30 TIGERS and 15 - 20 RHINOCEROSES in the LUGO - MASSA LOMBARDA area and some 30 Mark IV’s to the SOUTH in support of 26 PANZER DIVISION, whose infantry were in line opposite the NEW ZEALAND LEFT flank.
(c) Reserves.
(i) The remainder of 26 PANZER DIVISION tanks, some 40 Mark IV’s were             held back in the area SOUTH of FERRARA.
(ii) 90 PANZER GRENADIER DIVISION with a tank battalion were said to be
            in ARMY Reserve between BOLOGNA and MEDIOINA.
(iii) 29 PANZER GRENADIER DIVISION, the only other reserve to hand, had             been committed to hold the FIFTH ARMY preliminary offensive in the             APENNINES.
Grouping for the initial assault
(a) Affiliation of regiments to brigades:
        RIGHT
           19 INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE
           NIH (Lt-Col. A.W.A. LLEWELLEN-PALMER, DSO, MC.)
        LEFT
           21 INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE
           48 R TKS (Lt-Col. P.W.D. STURDEE)
        RESERVE
           17 INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE
           12 R TKS (Lt-Col. A.P.C. CROSSLEY, OBE).
(b) Affiliation of squadrons to battalions:
        NIH - 19 INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE.
            “A” Squadron - 1 A & SH.
            “B” Squadron - CREMONA ICG.
            “C” Squadron - 6/13 RFF Rif.
        12 R TKS - 17 INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE
            “A” Squadron - 1/5 RCR.
            “B” Squadron - 1 RF
            “C” Squadron - 1/12 FFR.
        48 R TKS - 19 INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE.
            “A” Squadron - 1 JAIPUR INF.
            “B” Squadron - 3/15 PUNJAB REGIMENT.
            “C” Squadron - 1/5 MAHRATTA LI.
Intention
8 INDIAN DIVISION intention was to secure a bridgehead over RIVER SANTERNO.

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