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The crossing of the rivers PO and Adige
56 DIVISION, whose leading Brigades each had a company safely over were to cross the PO opposite CRESPINO
and exploit towards ROVIGO. 48 R TKS were to relieve 12 R TKS in support of the Division. 169 BRIGADE was to do the initial assault. On the 8 INDIAN DIVISION sector, 17 INDIAN BRIGADE and C Squadron NIH were to cross in the area of OCHIOBELLO and exploit NORTH-EAST. It was NOT anticipated that to the enemy could put up a great deal of resistance on the river owing to the complete disorganisation which had taken place during the last few days. On the 56 DIVISION crossing no bridges were to be built and vehicles and tanks were to be ferried across on rafts: the infantry and supplies were to be ferried across in FANTAILS and stormboats. 8 INDIAN DIVISION were to build a Class 9 floating bridge, in addition to which they were allotted FANTAILS. Each division had one squadron of 7 H (DD tanks) under command for the initial assault.
At 1700 hours on 25 Apr 169 BRIGADE and A Squadron 7 HUSSARS
crossed the PO
against slight opposition and pushed NORTH. 2/6 QUEENS headed the advance, followed by 2/5 QUEENS. It
isoon became evident that the enemy had retired in confusion as many bridges were captured intact and, except for isolated pockets, opposition was very weak. The ferries at the bridge site took a long time to get going and it was NOT until 1015 hours 26 Apr that the first tank ofA Squadron 48 R TKS had reached the far bank. From this time the tanks were ferried at a rate of one tank an hour. The rate increased slightly in the late aftemoon and at 2015 hours A Squadron reported the whole squadron across. The supply problem for the tanks was extremely difficult and each tank took over as much extra ammunition and petrol as it could carry. Each tank carried 12 tins of petrol tied on the engine covers. Traffic control on the bridge site had got a bit out of hand during the day, so the Brigade Commander ordered the GSO. III (Captain J. MARSHALL) and the PROVOST SECTION to go down to the site and control vehicles crossing.
Meanwhile the advance had been going swiftly and by midday 169 BRIGADE had seized a series of bridges intact and reached ROVIGO, followed by A Squadron 48 R TKS, who received a tumultuous reception from the local inhabitants as they swept through the town. Infantry and tanks pushed on and reached the ADIGE on Route 16, where both the road and railway bridges were blown. 400 prisoners were taken during the day, including the Major in charge of bridge demolitions. They
showed very little inclination to fight and gave themselves up willingly.
C Squadron began to cross the PO
as soon as A Squadron had finished but a heavy rain storm made the approach very difficult and delayed the crossing, but by 0900 hours 27 Apr the squadron were across and moved up to support the infantry on the RIGHT of A Squadron onto the ADIGE. Owing to the delay on the ferries all wheeled vehicles were sent across by the 8 INDIAN DIVISION bridge and at 1830 hours26 Apr 169 BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, RHQ 48 R TKS and an AP/PP crossed the P0 and established themselves in ROVIGO. B Squadron started to cross after
C Squadron but, owing to delays, were NOT over until 0830 hours 28 Apr when they moved to the area of ROVIGO.
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