Page Four Into Battle

In keeping with 8th Army's proven strategy, it had been decided to convince Germans to expect yet another seaborn landing, this time south of Venice and north of Lake Comacchio. The deception had a two-fold purpose, to draw German forces to the Adriatic coast and to clear the enemy from the east, south and northern shores of Lake Comacchio - the latter accomplished, an amphibious assault would take place across the lake landing troops on the west shore behind German lines. However, first it was necessary to remove the German forces from their defensive positions north-west of river Senio and south of the Reno which flows into the Adriatic Sea alongside Lake Comacchio's southern shore - the Jewish Brigade was to take part in this action.

  The German lines lay west and north of the
  rivers Senio and Reno.
  LG The location of La Giogetta, a small hill
  created from the spoil excavated when the ditch   Fosso Vetro was dug, on which sat a couple of
  buildings.

  Throughout the first week of March 1945 the
  Brigade took up positions in the line west of
  Mezzano. As recorded in the War Diary the
  Brigade was to carry out active patrolling and
  improve its position as opportunity arose, but at   this time it was not intended to mount any set
  piece attack. Coincidentally 'A' Squadron,
  North Irish House, had been ordered to provide   support.

Following two days of close cooperation between infantry and tank crews, active patrolling commenced. Almost immediately, the Brigade suffered its first casulaties when a patrol led by Captain Carmi was heavily stonked. Later, on the third patrol led by Captain Johanan Peltz, it was discovered that the Germans had crossed the Senio and occupied La Giogetta which , although not high, held a commanding view of the low lying area by enemy artillery spotters, its recapture became an immediate and vital necessity.

"Tomorrow morning it is then," Colonel Gofton-Salmond announced when Peltz, less than a hour [after leading the patrol back], had finished his report. "at ten."
"Morning, sir?" Peltz questioned, unable to disguise his surprise.
[Recalling he had been taught it would be a mistake for a raiding party to attack a fortified camp in daylight. Recalling Carmi's company had been pounded by 81mm mortars and shredded by a hail of light machine gun bullets. Six men were killed, and more were wounded. It was a small miracle that they were able to make an orderly withdrawal without further losses.]
But Gofton-Salmond was never peremptory; and he was fond of the young officer. "Last thing in the world the Jerries will expect is an attack in the daytime. Move out smartly, and you'll be past their artillery before they realize what's happening."
As Peltz thought it through, he began to appreciate the colonel's strategy. Day or night, the charge into La Giorgetta would be an adventure. But if his force could make it to the forest before the German eighty-eights had an opportunity to rough them up in the open land near Fosso Vetro, one of the enemy's great advantages would be nullified. And his force had an element of support Carmi's squad had lacked—tanks. He would have the monster four-track Churchills, their cannons firing, leading the way through the wide gap now cleared of mines, and into the heart of the enemy compound.
"Yes, sir," Peltz agreed. "We go at ten." "Good," said the colonel. "Now get some sleep. "

For the loss of but one, the attack was a complete success, La Giorgetta was cleared of the enemy, prisoners taken and, most importantly, Jews had beaten Germans. Henceforth, the Jewish Brigade admirably performed every task it was called upon until war's end in Italy.

Addendum

Extracts from North Irish Horse Battle Reports:

4th March:
The Jewish Brigade took over a sector of the line south of Route 16. A squadron took over part of the 2nd Armoured Brigade's commitments in support of this Jewish Brigade. These Jews were recruited in Palestine and could mostly speak English. They were very keen and although this was their first experience of fighting they settled down remarkably quickly and were very easy to work with.
18th March:
The Jewish Brigade planned a feint attack for the 20th and after a tussle with Corps our part was satisfactorily arranged.
19th March:
A squadron carried out reconnaissance for the attack.
20th March:
The Jews sent out strong patrols at 1000 hours, covered by No. 4 troop of A squadron. Two enemy-occupied houses were captured and eight prisoners taken - very valuable for identification at this stage.

Primary Sources
Sir Winston S. Churchill   Their Finest Hour, 1949   Triumph and Tragedy, 1953
Morris Beckman   The Jewish Brigade, 1998
Howard Blum   The Brigade, 2001
John Bierman and Colin Smith   War Without Hate, 2002
North Irish Horse Documents

View Jewish Brigade Battle Photographs

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Modelling the Churchill Tank