Chapter Seven
7 November - 2 December 1944

Introductory

1. This account deals with the Operations of the 25th Tank Brigade Brigadior J.N. Tetley, D.S.O., T.D. during the period 7 November to 2 December 1944.

2. During this period the Brigade supported 5 Corps in the capture of Forli and in its westwards advance to Faenza along the axis of Route 9.

3. Conditions for the operation of tanks in this sector were far from favourable as the country was to close for open fighting and was intersected with innumberable water obstacles, each one a potential defensive line for the enemy. The weather, too, was unfavourable and added to the difficulties, but in spite of this, the advance continued.

4. These operations were deemed to be the last to be carried out by the 25th Tank Brigade which was disbanded in December to reform as the 25th Armoured Engineer Brigade Royal Engineers in preparation for the final offensive of the Italian Campaign. The 25th Tank Brigade had been in existence throughout the period of the war, having its baptism of fire in the North African Campaign before crossing over to continue operations in Italy.

General Situation.

5. Although the enemy had been forced back from the immediate vicinity of the Ronco, he was reluctant to retreat unless absolutely forced to, and remained, in strong positions covering Route 9, Forli airfield and the approaches to Forli town. It was evident that to advance further was not going to be an easy matter, and that the Germans would fight a strong delaying action to the next river line, the Montano.

Corps Plan

6. 5 Corps planned to capture Forli and seize crossings over the River Montano. A coordinated two division attack was to be launched on 8 November by the 4th British Division on the right attacking northwestwards, placing the right edge of their thrust on the road from Carpona to Forli, passing to the west of the airfield, while on the left the 46th Division attacked north to capture in succession San Martino in Strada and San Varano, roughly three thousand five hundred yards south of Route 9 and to secure the crossings over the Rivers Rabbi and Montone, (1)

7. Exploitation would be either directly along Route 9, and parallel to it on the south of the bridge over the River Montone at Forli if it was taken intact, or alternatively if the river was not crossed immediately, west of Forli, the 4th British Division would advance north-northwest from Forli through the canal bottleneck along the home side of the River Montone to seize a crossing near its junction with the River Cosina, whilst the 46th Division advanced from San Verano northwestwards towards Route 9, In either case exploitation would be accompanied by the use of armour in the greatest possible strength, and as the main operation developed, the enemy north of the airfield between the River Ronco and Forli were to be mopped up to open the section of Route 9 between these places, To conceal from the enemy the main point of attack, the 12th Lancers were ordered to carry out a deception to simulate preparation for an assault crossing of the River Ronoo on the site of the demolished railway bridge north of Route 9.

Grouping

8. To carry out the Corps plan, the following troops were available: -

Right -12th Lancers.

Centre - 4th British Division with under command:-
25th Tank Brigade
1st Assault Regiment Royal Corps of Engineers
   One Troop C’ Squadron (Shermandozers)
   ’A’ Squadron (less one ARK Troop and one Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers Troop)
   with under command one Ark Troop of ‘B’ Squadron.

Left - 46th Division with under command:-
1st Assault Regiment Royal Corps of Engineers
  2nd Armoured Brigade.
  One Troop 'C' Squadron 1st (Shermandozers)
  One Ark Troop and one Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers Troop ‘B’ Squadron.

(1) Map 15. The capture of Forli to the north-west, 7 - 12 November 1944. (not available)

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