By the time that the jeeps arrived, not only was it pitch dark but the Squadron was spread out for over a mile on the track. Willing hands helped to unload the jeeps and the stacking of the 5-gallon jerricans of petrol. While no attempt was made to refuel the tanks, that was a task better left until the morning, a compo box was carried to each of the tanks. If we couldn't feed our chariots we could at least feed ourselves!

As dawn came on the third day, the rain having stopped sometime during the night, the OC and the Troop Leaders met to discuss how best to allocate the limited supply of petrol available. The jeeps had not been able to deliver anywhere close to the minimum daily requirement of 2,500 plus gallons of POL (petrol, oil and lubricant) that the thirsty tanks needed. The consumption of petrol was not measured in miles per gallon, rather how many gallons were consumed per mile.

The initial plan was to divide the petrol equally between the tanks with the expectation it would be enough to enable them to reach, or be close to, Teodorano village where they could be refueled. Unfortunately, it turned out we had still to operate within the laws laid down by the wretched Murphy! Our OC, when communicating the plan to RHQ, was told that it was not possible to deliver more petrol to us until the waters, that had flooded the dip in the road below Borello, had receded. The heavy rainfall had inundated the road deep enough to make it impassable for any wheeled vehicle - see B on the map.

Having received orders from the CO that it was essential that the tanks make it to Cesena as soon as possible, a new plan was adopted. First, the tanks were to be fueled in a quantity sufficient for the rearmost to turn around and for the others to move along the track to make room. Next, the remaining stock of petrol would be divided into quantities sufficient for as many tanks, at the head of the column, to make it to Borello - it was anticipated that driving through the flooded stretch of road would not be a problem.

Despite the crews being experienced in topping up the two 75 gallon petrol tanks in the rain (which had restarted) it was a slow process, taking up to the late afternoon to complete. I cannot remember how many tanks set off for Borello but Ballyrashane certainly was one of them. On reaching the flooded section of the road, as it was then dark, the decision was to cross in the morning. On the fourth day, after refueling at Borello, we eventually reached the Regimental harbour. Those left behind were less fortunate - the last of the Squadron did not arrive until two days later.