Introduction

1. The period 25 August to 12 September 1944 covers the operations of the 25th Tank Brigade (Brigadier J.N. Tetley, DSO, TD) in the battle for the Gothic Line under command of the 46th Division on 5 Corps’ sector. During this phase the three regiments of the Brigade, ably supported by the 142nd Army Field Regiment (Royal Devon Yeomanry and the brigade services, covered the advance of the infantry across the many river lines and through the defences of the Gothic Line. The going was not easy for the tanks and the enemy had well sited anti-tank weapons covering the obvious approaches across the open country and the rivers. Despite this, however, the tanks were always there often remaining throughout the night in close support of the infantry in a counter-attack role. On 4 September the 1st British Armoured Division passed through the 46th Division to assault the Coriano Ridge where the enemy appeared to be forming a defensive line, and the 25th Tank Brigade was relieved for immediate operational commitments. On 7 September orders were received placing the Brigade, less the 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps, under the 4th British Division which was to operate under 1 Canadian Corps. The 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps remained under command of the 46th Division.

General Situation

2. On the eve of the offensive against the Gothic Line by the Eighth Army, the enemy, who had been roughly handled previously by 2 Polish Corps on the coastal sector, had retired behind the River Metauro, which lay roughly twelve miles in front of the River Foglia upon which the line was based. Light contact was maintained by the Polish forces on the coast and by Italian partisans inland until the build-up of the Army was completed, under great secrecy in order that the enemy would not appreciate the great strength which was being massed against him for this attack.

Own Troops

3. For the initial assault the 25th Tank Brigade was placed under command of the 46th Division which was attacking on the right of 5 Corps sector, the 4th Indian Division being the assaulting division on the left. In Corps reserve was the 1st British Armoured Division, the 4th British Division, the 56th Division and the 7th Armoured Brigade. On the right of 5 Corps, 1 Canadian Corps was responsible for the attack on the coastal sector. Early in September the 4th British Division, with the 25th Tank Brigade less one regiment, was switched to 1 Canadian Corps.

Enemy

4. On the enemy side, the line of divisions was us follows:
In the line:
Coastal sector (Coast to S 1550) - 278th Division.
S 1550 to Pergola - 71st Division.
Foothills of the Apennines - 5th Mountain Division.
In Reserve:
On Adriatic Coast - 1st Parachute Division.
In reserve On Adriatic coast - 1st parachute Division.
On coast North of Rimini - 162nd (Turcoman) Division.
On 28 August, after battle had been joined, the first units of the 26th Panzer Division were contacted.

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