Page Six

ADVANCE across rivers METAURO and FOGLIA
25 August - 1 September 1944

All personnel and vehicles had a hard and wearying journey to the concentration area. The roads were mountainous, winding and with steep gradients and owing to bad weather in the initial stages tanks were compelled to move long distances on tracks, sometimes pulling transporters behind them up particularly difficult slippery hills. In addition to this most moves had to be made at night for purposes of security. Great credit is due to the transporter companies and to the tank crews themselves for overcoming all difficulties and for achieving this concentration up to time. But the effects on this move were evident in the number of tanks which had mechanical breakdowns in the early days of the attack.

The infantry assault commenced at 2300 hours 25 August and a most violent artillery programme of concentrations opened punctually at 2359 hours. It was subsequently reported that an Italian agent gave away the magnitude of the attack to the enemy an hour before the artillery opened and that an immediate withdrawal was ordered. It is understood that the enemy were caught out of their fox holes and that they suffered severe casualties. The infantry successfully crossed the river during the night and by first light had established a bridgehead. Both 12 R TKS and 145 RAC, who had been held back several miles behind the river for reasons of surprise, started to move forward at about 0100 hours 26th August and by first light were in a position to start moving across the river over the four crossings, two on each Brigade, which had been prepared.

On the RIGHT 12 R TKS encountered considerable difficulty with mines and obstructions and had to put their entire battalion over by crossing ‘A’. This was successfully accomplished and by 1200 hours ‘A’ and ‘B’ Squadrons had got into contact with 48 HIGHLANDERS and HASTiNGS AND PRINCE EDWARD REGIMENT respectively in area LA PIEVE 1164 on LEFT of 1CDN BDE sector. At 1300 hours ‘A’ Squadron 12 R TKS in support of48 H advanced down slope NORTH from LA PIEVE.

‘B’ Squadron 12 R TKS in support of H&PER continued advance at 1430 hours. In both cases the rate of advance was slow owing to hard going. The Recce operated on the RIGHT flank and contact was made with 2 POLCORPS. At 1800 hours Infantry Brigade Commander issued orders for the advance by all three battalions to get the high ground at Point 261 0967 and Point 393 0767. Shortly afterwards these orders were cancelled, the infantry consolidated for the night and the tanks rallied back to harbour area at 104654. On the LEFT 145 RAC, after a difficult approach march started crossing the river at 0600 hours and by 0800 hours ‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadrons had linked up with PPCLI and LER in area 117610.

A plan was then made for ‘A’ Squadron supporting Seaf of C to pass through at 0900 hours and advance on Point 479 077667, and for ‘C’ Squadron with their infantry to move along the same axis in support of ‘A’ Squadron. ‘B’ Squadron were given the line of advance through the spur EAST of SERUNGARINA providing RIGHT flank protection to the Brigade.

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