Page Sixty-four

The advance to River PO and capture of Ferrara

On the morning 23 April 5 RWK and “C” Squadron NIH less to troops were ordered to advance NORTH, by-passing FERRARA, and reach the PO. The advance started at 0600 hours and went steadily forward, taking large numbers of prisoners, and at 1045 hours the leading tanks of Lieutenant D.R. KING’S troop reached the river, thereby being the first BRITISH tanks to reach the PO and beating 6 ARMOURED DIVISION by ten minutes. 1/5 MAHARATTAS and two troops “C” Squadron advanced NORTH but encountered strong opposition from infantry and tanks at the CANALE LA SACCA. “A” Squadron throughout the day engaged targets in FERRARA and its outskirts and at 1945 hours 1 A&SH with two troops advanced into the town and mopped up. On 24 Apr 1 JAIPUR and “B” Squadron advanced into the factory area NORTH of FERRARA where they were held up by tanks in the factory buildings until last light. At 1100 hours the next day, after good work by a SHERMAN DOZER, “A” Squadron crossed the last canal and Route 16 and cleared the area NORTH of FERRARA, knocking out several tanks and self-propelled guns. This ended all opposition in this sector and NIH concentrated ready to cross the PO.

On 56 DIVISION front 24 GUARDS BRIGADE and 167 BRIGADE and 12 R TKS had reached the CANALE BIANCA on 24 Apr, but had been unable to get across on account of blown bridges. Opposition had been extremely stiff and although the enemy was now fighting with battle groups of different divisions, it looked as if he would strongly contest the crossing of the PO. A great amount of transport of all kinds, tanks and self-propelled guns, were still SOUTH of the PO and during 24 Apr and night 24/25 Apr the DESERT AIR FORCE and the artillery attacked them without mercy. At first light 25 Apr all resistance suddenly ceased and 24 GUARDS BRIGADE and 167 BRIGADE and 12 R TKS triumphantly advanced to the PO, which they reached at 1030 hours. The destruction wrought by the DESERT AIR FORCE and the Artillery was immense and a great many prisoners from five different divisions were taken, including GENERAL VON SCHWERIN, Commander of 76 PANZER CORPS and his Staff. Over a thousand horses were taken on the divisional front alone. With 56 DIVISION and 8 INDIAN DIVISION up to the PO, there only remained the pocket between them to be mopped up and the whole SOUTH bank of the PO was ours. This was soon done by 78 DIVISION and 5 CORPS prepared to cross the PO.

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