19. At 0430 hours on the morning of the 16th one troop of tanks moved along the road to clear the area of Point 126 (834598). Three machine gun posts were cleared up on the approach and the Troop Leader, although wounded, took his troop up to Point 137 to tie up with the infantry who were already there, arriving there by first light. Just after first light two tanks of this troop were knocked out by a Mark IV tank firing from Point 126 This tank was quickly engaged by the tanks giving fire support to the assaulting troops and effectively disposed of. For the remainder of the day the Troop Leader remained on Point 137 under very heavy shell fire, making repeated trips on foot to an O.P. to direct artillery fire. Meanwhile on the left ‘C’ Squadron started off at 0530 hours, and guided by a Troop Leader on foot crossed the wadi at the foot of Cerasola and were on their objective with their infantry by first light. They also remained here for the remainder of the day under constant shell fire until last light when they moved back upon being relieved by the Yorkshire Dragoons.

The Crossing of the River Ausa

20. On the afternoon of the 17th, ‘A’ Squadron of the North Irish Horse moved to Ospodaletto in preparation for crossing the Ausa. Various changes of plans had been made due to the delay in securing the high ground and eventually it was decided that the 2nd Bedfords with ‘A’ Squadron 51st Royal Tanks would secure the bridgehead over the River Ausa and Budriolo during the night of the 17th/18th and to pass through at first light on the 18th, on the right, the lst/6th Surreys with ‘B’ Squadron 51st Royal Tanks, and on the left the 2nd D.C.L.I. with ‘C’ Squadron 51st Royal Tanks, the objectives being the high ground and line of the road 620929 - 813929 - 806925. At the same time the 1st Royal West Kents of 12th Infantry Brigade with the North Irish Horse would cross on the left and secure line of the road from road junction 823912 to Point 101 (817908) and thus secure the left flank and allow the advance of 10th Infantry Brigade to continue. The 2nd Bedfords, however, met heavy opposition from enemy occupying houses in the area 8392 on the east side of the river and by first light had not reached the river itself. Two troops of ‘A’ Squadron 51st Royal Tanks then moved down to try and locate the infantry and help them forward. Communications between the two arms were virtually non-existent and the infantry who had gone to ground in houses in face of heavy mortar, shelling and machine gun fire were naturally loth to show themselves and only the perseverance of the tank personnel enabled them to locate the infantry, subsequently knocking out a number of enemy positions. By 2300 hours the position had not been materially realised and the force on the right was withdrawn.

21. On the left, the enemy acting in a more orthodox manner retired behind the river. The night attack went well and at first light the infantry were between the two rivers in the area 825914. A crossing of the River Ausa having been reconnoitred, once again an Ark crossing was constructed enabling the tanks to cross quickly to the support of the infantry. The tank support enabled further progress to he made and at one time the infantry were within two hundred yards of their objective, but a counter-attack forced them to give ground. Thus by nightfall none of the objectives on the 10th Infantry Brigade’s front had been secured. The one bright spot of the day was the attack by the Royal West Kents supported by the North Irish Horse. At 0500 hours on 18 September ‘A’ Squadron was standing by awaiting news of a bridgehead, and as this was not confirmed the Squadron Second in Command went forward with guides to the river and at first light the tanks crossed. This crossing proved much easier then had been anticipated and although an Ark was taken forward it was not used. The tanks married up with their infantry and supported them on their objective, taking approximately sixty prisoners in the process. Considering that this operation was carried out in darkness without any reconnaissence and under shell fire it achieved remarkable success. During the night 18/19 September it was decided that the 2nd Bedfords should advance to secure the area Sant’ Aquilina (821923), but by first light they were still short of this position having been held up by heavy fire from the right flank. Considerable fighting ensued most of the day and it was not until the 2nd D.C.L.I. and ‘C’ Squadron 51st Royal Tanks, who had crossed the river during the night of the 18th/19th, passed through during the early afternoon that the objective was secured. The tanks were withdrawn behind the crest at last light and unfortunately the laager area was very heavily shelled causing the death of the Squadron Leader and Second-in-Command and two other ranks, and wounding one officer and seven other ranks.

22. On the left the Royal West Kents had remained firm in their bridgehead positions, two troops of ‘A’ Squadron relieving the other two troops who had remained with the infantry during the previous day and night. During the day of 19th September a plan was made for the 1st/6th Surreys with ‘B’ Squadron 5lst Royal Tanks to capture Point 113 (812929) and PoInt 97 (818932) and the tanks moved across the river during the night of the 19th/20th to the area 824918. This phase ends with still another river obstacle crossed but with more still to be faced in succeeding operations.

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