Attempted Armoured Breakthrough over the River Marecchia

10. At approximately 1030 hours on the 20th, the Commander of the 25th Tank Brigade received orders from the Commander 4th British Division to advance and secure a bridgehead over the Marecchia before darkness as it was thought that the weather was breaking end an assault crossing of the river if it became swollen would be a difficult operation. It was confirmed that an Armoured thrust would be made on the right by 21st Tank Brigade and on the left by 1st British Armoured Division. 25 Tank Brigade plan was to advance with the 51st Royal Tanks, the attack to be made in two phases:-

Phase I: (a) To capture high ground Point 112 (804937) to road junction 808941
             (b) To capture high ground over-looking the Marecchia from cross roads                   785955 to road junction 798962.

Phase II: The North Irish Horse was to pass through over the river and capture the high ground from road junction 766984 to San Guistin (7898).

11. The 51st Royal Tanks attack was to go in with ‘A‘ Squadron up followed by Regimental Headquarters, and ‘C’ Squadron was to remain in support of the 1st/6th Surreys who were detailed as follow-up infantry for mopping up and consolidation. At 1230 hours 20 September orders were given for the advance and Squadron moved off from the area Point 101 (838909) over difficult going to the feature Point 113 on which were the 1st/6th Surreys with ‘B’ Squadron. From this point the going was good and ‘A’ Squadron rapidly advanced to the next ridge, two troops up. On proceeding over the crest of this ridge into the valley at approximately 809932, the tanks came under heavy anti-tank fire from the left flank. Smoke was laid by the tanks of ‘C’ Squadron and Regimental Headquarters, but several tanks were hit including one of ‘C’ Squadron which caught fire. Once the tanks were down in the valley they were covered from this fire on their left by Point 99 (805933), but they then come under the fire of anti-tank guns sited on the road to their right at approximately 609938. This was engaged and silenced with the two supporting troops, and ‘A‘ Squadron was then able to dominate the Point 112 feature, but the tanks could not climb on to it owing to enfilade fire on the left flank at Point 153 (7914932) in the 1st British Armoured Division’s sector. Considerable embarrassment was caused by fifty prisoners who gave themselves up to the tanks who had no infantry to collect them and shepherd them back.

12. When darkness fell ‘A‘ Squadron had lost five tanks, and the infantry, deterred by the very heavy shelling which was taking place, were unable to go forward and take over the objectives, As it was not possible to advance further until Point 153 had been taken by the 1st British Armoured Division it was decided that ‘A‘ Squadron should laager where they were and that the 1st/6th Surreys should attack Point 112 during the night 20/21 September, Hardly had this decision been taken than the expected heavy rains commenced to fall, and this bogey was, in the ensuing months to dog our footsteps, or rather tracks, almost as much as that of the impassable wadis had done in the preceding operation, an indication of the excellent value of the armoured thrust by the 51st Royal Tanks was found when the infantry arrived at Point 112 with small patrols to find it unoccupied, and on top of which the enemy had abandoned no less than seven anti-tank guns of various calibres, all in operational order, as well as many mortars, One of the anti-tank guns was found to be a 88mm Pak 1.3, the first to be found of the enemy’s latest anti-tank gun.

13. The morning of the 21st found the rain still descending in torrents and all operations throughout the day were abandoned, with 'B' squadron remaining with the 1st/6th Surreys until released at last light to rejoin the remainder of the regiment laagered up behind Point 101 (838909). {1)

Advance to the Vorgiano Ridge and Across the Marecchia

14. The 28th Infantry Brigade were to pass through and continue the advance with the North Irish Horse, with the intention of making a bridgehead over the Marecchia and re-establishing contact with the enemy who had taken advantage of the rain to withdraw across the river. During the night 21/22nd September patrols pushed forward across the smaller River Mavono towards Vergiano (795959). ‘B’ Squadron of the North Irish Horse moved to Vergiano in the afternoon and under cover of smoke put down by the support tanks, two troops crossed the River Maracchia just before last light and made a strong point in Sant’ Giustina (735988) with the 2nd Somersets. ‘B’ Squadron’s two supporting troops of tanks with the North Irish Horse Reconnaissance Troop covered the crossing of the assaulting tanks, fire being particularly directed on places which were thought to be probable observation posts, as the infantry were suffering heavy shelling.

15. The 28th Infantry Brigade’s responsibility was now confined to maintaining the bridgehead to allow 5th Canadian Armourod Division to pass through. At first light on the 23rd ‘B’ Squadron sent two troops to support the 2nd/4th Hampshires at Bornocino (771975). ‘A‘ Squadron then relieved ‘B’ Squadron who were still in support of the 2nd Somersets. Torrential rain hampered the take over by the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, but this was completed by 25 September and by last light on that day the remainder of the North Irish Horse force was released. On the 26th the various scattered tanks were collected, many of which had fallen foul of the ground and weather, and the regiment moved back to concentrate at S. Aquilina.

16. The Brigade’s operational responsibility had now terminated and all indications led to believe that a period would be permitted in reserve for much needed rest and refitting, as apart from the operations themselves both vehicles and personnel had suffered the additional strain of difficulties brought about by the heavy rains This hope however, was even more short lived than many others of a similar nature the Brigade had in the past, and on 25 September orders were received for the Brigade less one regiment to come under command of 5 Corps, and be prepared to move to 5 Corps area on 3 October. The 51st Royal Tanks were for the time being to remain under command of 4th British Division and the North Irish Horse were to pass under command of 10th Indian Division, commencing movement to join them on 30 September, so once again a rather gloomy picture presented itself of the brigade, having to serve two masters.

17. On 26 September Brigade Headquarters, which had also suffered from weather conditions and had been firmly stuck, made the most of a short break in the weather and moved to a new location at 945889, south of Riccione on Route 46. In spite if the disappointment of not being permitted the time expected for rest and refitting, and in spite also of the difficulties encountered due to depressing weather conditions, there is no doubt that the Brigade could look back with some pride on its achievements since the commencement of the operations against the Gothic Line. During the month of September the Brigade had forty-two tanks knocked out of which sixteen were total casualties.

(1) See Map 7: General Situation on 22 Sept.

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