Page Three

Operation Chesterfield, Tuesday, 23rd May 1944

"Now the armour [Shermans] could be unleashed: 5th Canadian Armoured Division deployed for their first operation in their true role." ⁹

At the conclusion of Operation Diadem, the destruction of the Gustav Line, the Hitler Line (sometimes referred to as the Senger Line) remained as the only obstacle to an advance up the Liri Valley toward Rome. The task of breaking this heavily fortified defensive line, on which the Germans had spent six months in its construction, was given to 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade supported by tanks of the North Irish Horse. D-Day was Tuesday, 23rd May 1944.

Some six months had been spent by the enemy in constructing the Hitler Line, emplacements for anti-tank guns and machine-guns being made of steel and concrete and very cleverly sited. Minefields and wire were laid tactically so as to draw tanks and infantry into definite killing grounds. Tank obstacles were located on the flanks, again to force tanks into desired areas. All artillery and mortar fire had been registered previously, lanes of fire had been cut in woods and scrub and in some cases large clearings to create "killing grounds" had been made. Camouflaged snipers formed the outposts of the line and acted as artillery and mortar observation posts. The static defences of the line were augmented by approximately thirty tanks and self-propelled guns.

At 0601, Tuesday 23rd May 1944, one minute after "H" Hour the assault on the Hitler Line began, with 'A' and 'B' Squadrons supporting the Princess Patricia Light Infantry and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada respectively. First, a band of small but densely packed trees, ranging some six-hundred yards deep, had to be negotiated. Despite coming under intense fire from both heavy artillery and well positioned snipers, by 0745 hours, 'B' Squadron and the Seaforth Highlanders had fought their way to the edge of the line of trees where they paused to consolidate. Fifteen minutes later, led by HQF Troop the Squadron moved out into the open ground. The lead tank Ballyrashane IV (on which I was aboard) was almost immediately knocked out. Bushmills III. who was following, a few minutes later suffered the same fate. Six hours later, after a fiercely fought battle, the line was broken.

Extract from the NIH Battle Report:
"The commanding officer returned to 2nd Brigade Headquarters at 1800 hours where he reported to Brigadiers Gibson and Tetley. He learned that the whole operation was concluded successfully and 5th Canadian Armoured Division were preparing to exploit through towards the river Melfa.
Thus ended the battle of the Adolf Hitler Line, a battle in which both Canadian Infantry and our tanks faced very stubborn and fierce resistance. Heavy casualties had been inflicted on the enemy and we sustained, in our turn, serious casualties. It is now known that 1st Canadian Division suffered one thousand casualties in killed, wounded and missing and the N.I.H. lost twenty-five tanks, thirty-four officers and men being killed and thirty-six wounded.
The greatest gallantry and devotion to duty was displayed by all ranks throughout the battle and their determination to support the infantry at all costs has caused the highest praise from all sources. The regiment is known to have destroyed two Panther Mark V tanks, two Mark IV Specials, one self-propelled 75 mm. gun, one Panther turret emplacement, one 88 mm. anti-tank gun, one 75 mm. anti-tank gun, one 20 mm. dual purpose gun, two armoured machine-gun posts and several snipers. Casualties on enemy infantry could not be computed." ¹⁰

Of the twenty-five tanks put out of action, fifteen were salvaged to do battle again. Other than those which lost there tracks on mines, most of the damage was inflicted by fire from well-placed dug-in Panther turrets. Of the ten totally destroyed (Ballyrashane was one of them) seven were Shermans. The two Panthers were knocked out by fire from 6-pdrs, the first to be destroyed by tanks of the Western Allies.

The day after the battle, for their part, 25th Tank Brigade, of which the North Irish Horse was the senior unit, was awarded the Maple Leaf of Canada, a silver replica of which was worn on uniform sleeves. About a week later it was agreed that the Brigade would add the Maple Leaf to its insignia and 5th Canadian Tank Brigade would wear 25th TB's insignia on its tanks. For details see: Exchange of Honours possibly unique in British Military History

Addenda
Before and After Battle Photographs
Battleground map.

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