Page Forty-one

Narrative of the Operation of North Irish Horse in Support of the
10th Indian Division during the period 21 October to 7 November 1944.

1. At the beginning of this phase the North Irish Horse, still supported by the 383rd Battery, 142nd Army Field Regiment Royal Artillery and sub-units of the Brigade Services, were in support of the 10th Indian Division in continuance of the advance which had began with the clearing of Sogliano and then progressed across the difficult hilly country between the rivers Fiumicino and Savio. Upstream from where the 12th Infantry Brigade and the 142 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps were heavily engaged in establishing their bridgehead on 21 October, elements of the 10th Indian Division had also been able to establish themselves over the river in the area of Taverna - San Carlo, and ‘A’ Squadron of the North Irish Horse who were to support them were on the east side of the river ready to cross by a crossing which had been found by previous reconnaissance. However, the river was too high for tanks to cross, and also the Commander, Royal Engineers of the 10th Indian Division would not allow tank movement on the only road down to the river in this sector as the recent heavy rains had so deteriorated the roads that their maintenance was vital if the forward troops were to be supplied.

2. Further south the 20th Indian Infantry Brigade had concentrated west of the river and during the day of 21 October ‘C’ Squadron of the North Irish Horse moved from Roncofreddo to Cello (5593) on the west bank of the Savio, by way of San Mario Riopetra. Rain continued to pour down all day and the tracks were in terrible condition, but in spite of all this all tanks of the squadron crossed the river in this sector before it rose. The 10th Indian Division planned to attack with the 20th Indian Infantry Brigade directed on Monte Cavallo supported by ‘C’ Squadron, and the 25th Indian Infantry Brigade directed on Monte della Rovere (5302) supported by ‘A’ Squadron. The road forward from Cello to Borello was impassable but Lieutenant Milne, who had commanded the troops of the ‘A’ Squadron which had been supporting the Central India Horse during the previous phase, and was now under command ‘C’ Squadron, made a reconnaissance of the river bed which was found to be just possible for tanks.

3. The attack went in on the night of 21 October but the going was very heavy and exposed and the enemy opposition was strong, and progress was very limited. ‘A’ Squadron could still not cross the river and eventually stood down in the area of Acquarolo. During the day of 22 October ‘C’ Squadron moved all its tanks forward to Borello by means of the route reconnoitred, a very fine performance under the circumstances and at times Lieutenant Milne who walked all the way to guide the tanks was up to his chest in water, not a very pleasant experience at this time of the year in a mountain river.

4. On the following day, ‘B’ Squadron who had been on the feature of Monte Farneto since the initial attacks on 6/7 October, moved to Borello to take over the commitments of ‘C’ Squadron with the 20th Indian Infantry Brigade, while ‘C’ Squadron were put under command of the 43rd Indian Lorried Infantry Brigade and directed on to Monte della Rovere. The squadron again moved down the river bed to Castiglione and so avoided the blows on Route 71 which were obstacles to the tanks and had held up their advance. When the tanks tried to regain the road at 552612 they met two large demolitions. Meanwhile No. 4 Troop of the Squadron, which had detached from the main body proceeding by the river bed, went up the road to Monte Cavallo, the feature having been occupied by first light, the intention being to try and get across country by the track from Monte Cavallo to Tesselo (5002), but it was also held up by mines and blows. Engineers were put to work on both sets of demolitions, the section of the Brigade Troop Royal Engineers doing good work with the main body of ‘C’ Squadron.

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