Introductory

1. This account covers the operations of the 25th Tank Brigade (Brigadier J.N. Tetley, DSO, TD) during the period 12 to 24 September I944. During this phase of operations the Brigade was deployed on the front of 1 Canadian Corps with the North Irish Horse and 51st Royal Tanks supporting the 4th British Division, and on 5 Corps front with the 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps supporting the 46th Division.

2. On 13 September the 5th Canadian Armoured Division successfully cleared the Coriano ridge and the 4th British Division passed through with an advance which took it to the River Ausa by the end of the phase. Heavy fighting took place to reach this position with the enemy offering fierce resistance, during which time Tiger tanks were to the forefront of the opposition and both regiments lost tanks against the anti-tank opposition which was very formidable. This did not deter the tanks from continuing to support the infantry at every occasion and their support was most valuable in providing covering fire and neutralising positions which threatened to hold up the ground troops.

3. On 5 Corps front the 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps had a very difficult time in country which was anything but ideal for tank operations. Heavy fighting took place in terrain dominated by high features and practically impassable wadis. Outstanding battles on this sector were against Monte Colombo and Montescudo, the capture of which was essential to the advance towards the wide Marecchia river which had to he crossed before the Po plain could be reached. Despite the difficult conditions which caused mechanical troubles to increase, the tanks supported the infantry at every opportunity, the Churchills performing some prodigious climbing feats to achieve this support.

General Situation

4. The enemy had been pushed back from his Gothic Line positions, but despite the losses incurred during this withdrawal, he was succeeding in holding up the advance of Eighth Army. This resistance was based on the Coriano - Gemmano ridges with Croce a strong bastion anchoring the southern end. Innumberable tanks (including Tigers and Panthers), self-propelled guns and anti-tanks guns proved costly to our armour while extremely heavy shelling and mortaring hindered the infantry. As no further advance could be made until the Germans had been prized from these positions, regrouping of our forces took place prior to an attack against these stubbornly defended positions. During this phase of operation artificial moonlight was first used to assist night operations, searchlights shining low across the sky being the medium whereby this was achieved.

Own Troops

5. The regrouping of 1 Canadian and 5 Corps entailed the deployment of the 25th Tank Brigade on a two corps front. The 4th British Division came out of Army reserve under command 1 Canadian Corps with the 25th Tank Brigade less 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps providing its armoured element and so renewing the partnership which not so long before had slogged through to Florence. The 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps remained under command of the 46th Division on the 5 Corps sector.

6. 1 Canadian Corps then comprised of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division supported by the 21st Tank Brigade, the 5th Canadian Armoured Division and the 4th British Division supported by the 25th Tank Brigade less the 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps. 5 Corps comprised of the 46th Division supported by the 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps, the 56th Division, the 4th Indian Division, the 1st Armoured Division and the 7th Armoured Brigade.

Enemy

7. The enemy had also been making new dispositions, The 1st Parachute Division still held the coastal strip with the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division on its right and responsible for the Coriano ridge; next came the 26th Panzer Division with the 98th Division on its right. The last named division had relieved the 5th Mountain Division, although the 100th Mountain Regiment and the 85th Reconnaissance Battalion of the latter had been ordered back into the line.

8. Armour support for the enemy was provided by the 26th Panzer Regiment with approximately forty five Mark IV tanks, the 1st/15th Panzer Regiment with twelve or more Panthers, and the 508th Heavy Tank Battalion with Tigers. For the whole sector from the coast to Coriano the enemy had a local reserve comprised of two battalions of the 3rd Parachute Regiment, the 1st/15th Panzer Grenadier Regiment and the 2nd/71st Panzer Grenadier Regiment. Although numerically weak in ground troops the enemy was strong in his supporting arms, especially artillery which he used constantly and effectively.

Terrain

9. The terrain across which the brigade was to operate on 1 Canadian Corps front closely resembled downland with steep slopes, wide valleys with watercourses in the bottom. Farms and small villages dotted the landscape being more numberable on the ridges, from the crest of which complete observation was obtained across the wide open valleys to adjacent features. There was little natural cover in this sector, cultivation consisting principally of tracts of plough, vegetable patches and vineyards planted mostly with short vines set in widely separated rows. The soil was light when dry, and when wet it became soft and sticky, treacherous for vehicles and difficult for tanks.

10. Despite occasional heavy rains the rivers were depleted and shallow and many watercourses were dry. In some places steep banks or deep worn beds made them formidable obstacles, in others it was possible to walk across them with ease. The main river obstacle was the wide river Conca with its gravel bed. In general the ground with its virtually bare features and exposed approaches offered considerable advantages to an enemy accustomed by continuous experience to fighting defensive actions and who had brought to perfection the art of siting and concealing defensive positions.

11. On 5 Corps front the country was similar in character to that already fought over, being of a rolling nature until the foothills to the west were approached. Features in the foothills rose steeply as much as seven hundred and fifty feet above the surrounding land and commanded large areas of the Corps sector. Although innumberable small rivers crossed the path of the advance, the Marecchia was the major obstacle. The road system had not improved and the Corps had to continue to use the poor quality secondary roads.

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