8th Army came under much criticism from 5th Army Commander for its "slow progress" to the West. It is this writer's opinion, considering the how few were the narrow winding roads crossing the Appenines available to 8th Army, the harsh words used were totally unjustified.

During the night of 18th/19th the Regiment met up with our friends of 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade near Mingano Monte Lungo, the site of much bloody fighting towards the end of 1943. Here, we and 2nd CIB were in reserve while 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade, supported by 51st RTR, engaged in the first phase of the assault on the Hitler Line, Operation Diadem.

While it is not the intention to duplicate what is well documented elsewhere, information on which tank unit supported which infantry regiment, in Operations Diadem and Chesterfield, may be useful. For details see
1 Canadian Corps.

Preparing for Battle

As Operation Diadem was getting under way, I and my fellow counterparts - Sgt Wingfield ('HQ' Sdn) Sgt Mitchell ('A' Sdn) and L/Cpl Green ('C' Sdn) - were called to a meeting by the Signals Officer, Lt. R.B.M.King MC. Also in attendance were an Officer and three NCOs of the Seaforth Highlanders. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss methods of how best to effect communication, between tanks and infantry, when in action.

The suggestion that trials, with a Highlander in the co-driver's seat equipped with an 18 Set, proved a failure. One, it was determined that leaving the hatch open, to allow the set's antennae to protrude, would be too dangerous. Two, the Highlanders found travelling in the tanks, for the two days of trials, to be too claustrophobic, the exact opposite of tank crews who always felt naked when on foot. The final decision was to set up a control centre at RHQ, consisting of batteries of 18 and 19 sets, under the watchful eye of Lt. King. During trials, even though it was necessary to regularly switch between RHQ and Squadron nets, this solution worked well.

The Highlanders also practised using the Infantry Gong, a push button mounted on the tank's rear. Unfortunately, until the rear-mounted bins containing a telephone became available, this means of communication between ground troops and tank crews was never very successful. A Message from the Signal Officer is relevant.

On the morning of 22nd May, Major Russell called the Officers and NCOs of his Squadron together to outline the battle plans for the next day. It was to be a joint assault by the two Canadian Brigades on the Hitler Line commencing at 05.00. On the left the 3rd would be supported by 51st RTR less 'B' Squadron, on the right the 2nd Brigade supported by the NIH with a follow up role for 51st RTR's 'B' Squadron. At the same time, the pent up forces in the Anzio were to break out from the beachead. If all went well, it was the expectation of the Supreme Commander, General Alexander, that the bulk of Germany's 10th Army, commanded by von Vietinghoff, would be trapped and prevented from escaping to the north. If achieved, possibly the war in Italy would come to a swift conclusion.