Page Fifty-nine
5. The 1st/6th Surreys went forward again at dusk but the tanks of B’ Squadron were recalled to harbour in the factory at 505112 where the remainder of the regiment was concentrated. Despite the shelling during the day no personnel casualties had been sustained, but two 6-pdr tank guns were damaged by shrapnel. Meanwhile ‘C’ Squadron had during the day been supporting 2 D.C.L.I, who were holding the start line for the 28th Infantry Brigade, Two German Tiger tanks were spotted in the area 4413, but it was not possible to engage them with tanks. The 142nd Army Field Regiment were called upon to assist and carried out some good shooting, being observed by an officer from ‘C’ Squadron. The enemy tanks were eventually driven off but not before they had brewed up two self-propelled anti-tank guns of the 93rd Anti-tank Regiment.
6. Upon the relief of the 10th Infantry Brigade by 12th Infantry
Brigade 51st Royal Tanks come into reserve under command of 25th Tank
Brigade. In conjunction with the attack of 10th Infantry Brigade
described above, 28th Infantry Brigade, attacked at 0400 hours on 3
November, with 2nd King’s right supported by ‘A’ Squadron 142nd Regiment Armoured Corps and 2nd Somersets left supported by ‘A’ Squadron of the same regiment. 2nd King’s moved across the start line in the approximate area of 448132, at 0400 hours and for the first thirty minutes advanced without contact, but subsequently encountered determined opposition at the southeast corner of the airfield, and a struggle developed for
possession of the road junction at 446135. The tanks of ‘B’ Squadron moved from their harbour area to join the 2nd Kings at first light,
but unfortunately after No.2 Troop had crossed, the Bailey bridge at 455118 collapsed with the weight of the next tank and tank and bridge
fell into the stream below. This necessitated the remainder of the
Squadron having to turn and find an alternative route forward.
This was quickly done, the new route being from the road at 463119 to Carpona and then northwest across country.
7. Meanwhile No.2 Troop had joined up with ‘B’ Company by first light and were giving fire support to the infantry as they advanced. The enemy was putting up stubborn resistance from dug-in positions supported by tanks, and fierce fighting ensued during which the tanks inflicted casualties by high explosive and machine gun fire. The remainder of the squadron, moving forward again, contacted ‘A‘ Company at 446137, supporting them by day and remaining with them throughout the night. On the left of the 2nd King’ s the advance of the 2nd Somersets was very confusing owing to the close nature of the country in which sub-units tended to lose contact, and in addition the wireless set of ‘A’ Company Commander refused to function and so disrupted
communications.
8. ‘A‘ Squadron moved out of harbour, marrying up at first light with the 2nd Somersets at 439129 where the tanks were held up by a blown bridge over the Scolo Corchia in which the 1st Assault Regiment were attempting to place Arks, but owing to enemy mines and opposition the tanks were not in position until 2130 hours, after one tank and one Armoured Engineers vehicle had been disabled by mines. It was therefore necessary for the tanks to find another way over this obstacle which was only achieved by a circuit through 46th Division’s sector, and consequently the attack by C’ Company of the 2nd Somersets was
postponed until the afternoon. By 1500 hours tanks and infantry had again married up and the attack went in under heavy enemy shellfire. Under cover of the protective armour of the tanks and with a screen of covering fire from the guns the advance went on, and by 1630 hours ‘C’ Company reported that it had occupied its objectives. It was decided, however, that in view of the immediate tactical situation, it would be inadvisable to withdraw the tanks, so they remained with the infantry throughout the night in counter-attack role.
The capture of Forli - 8/9 November.
9. As the enemy, who had apparently been hit quite hard during the attack on the airfield, appeared to be withdrawing opposite 2 King’s and on the 4th Divisional sector, the 28th Infantry Brigade modified its plan and the 2nd/4th Hampshire were ordered to advance on the town of Forli and the Somersets to the line of the River Montone, southwest of the town, where they were to seek a suitable crossing place for infantry and tanks. 2nd/4th Hampshires with the tanks of ‘B’ Squadron 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps advanced at 0400 hours on 9 November and by 0630 hours had reached the outskirts of Forli. The tanks motored up at first light, ferrying the infantry upon them, but no opposition was met and in the evening they harboured in the area of 437150. Two troops of the squadron had been in reserve and not committed, and these were placed under command of 12th Infantry Brigade on the right. On the left, the 2nd Somersets accompanied by ‘A’ Squadron of 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps had advanced to the line 429155 - 427153, and during the afternoon infantry and tank reconnaissance parties moved
forward to reconnoitre the River Montone in an endeavour to find a suitable crossing place. None could be found for the tanks however, but a possible infantry crossing was found, although the mud at this point was five feet deep. The tanks eventually harboured for the night in the area of 435142.
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