Page Seven

The Advance to the River Conca

32. Following the breaching of the Gothic line every endeavour was made to keep the enemy on the move. To this end all brigades of the 46th Division, each supported by a regiment of the 25th Tank Brigade, were to be employed. The plan was for the 138th Infantry Brigade with the 142nd Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps to take advantage of the more rolling country on the right of the divisional sector on which armour could be used more advantageously. At the same time in the centre the 128th Infantry Brigade with the North Irish Horse were to mop up and establish themselves firmly in the area of Monte Gridolfo. The 139th Infantry Brigade with the 51st Royal Tanks on the left, were to clear Mondaine and the high ground to the north in the area of the road triangle 9375. On the right ‘A’ Squadron 142nd Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps supporting the 6th Lincolnshires (138th Infantry Brigade) moved from their harbour area to find the ford which the 128th Infantry Brigade had used was no longer fit to take Churchill tanks. A further crossing was found about half a mile down stream and the squadron passed over tn he river without incident, moving to the area Lavacelli (960738).

33. The main attack which was to secure the first of three intermediate objectives, namely ‘Cow’ which was the ‘T’ junction in the centre of the Gridolfo plain approximately one mile east of Monte Gridolfo, was delayed and did not commence until 1400 hours. When it did start, however, progress of the tanks leading the advance over the rolling country reminded one of those days, now far distant, of copy book exercises on the Sussex Downs. Unlike the exercises, however, this operation showed more profitable results, and the tanks moving from one fire position to another were able to completely cover the objectives with fire and the infantry, under the cover of this support were able to go forward, suffering only small number of casualties from mortar fire. The tanks then moved forward to the objective in direct support of the infantry, where they were subjected to both heavy shell and self-propelled gun fire, causing two tanks to be completely destroyed. The success of this attack permitted ‘B’ Squadron 142nd Royal Tanks supporting the 2nd/4th KOYLI to pass through directed on to Point 146 (961771). To maintain the momentum of the attack the infantry were carried on the tanks in the initial stages and were dropped in the area of the high ground Point 268 and Point 246 (9673). The tanks then moved forward to the assault of the objective, and the co-operation between the tanks and the infantry enabled it to be secured by 1600 hours. At last light ‘B’ Squadron pulled back to refuel, having undertaken to return to the infantry by first light the following morning.

34. During this period ‘C’ Squadron 142nd Royal Tanks were in support of the 46th Reconnaissance Regiment maintaining right flank protection in the area of the River Foglia. An attempt was made to keep up with the advance of the main 138th Infantry Brigade thrust, but following two tank casualties from anti-tank fire from the right flank outside the divisional boundary, the force halted taking up fire positions from which they engaged the enemy. In the centre of the divisional sector the North Irish Horse with the 5th Hampshires (128th Infantry Brigade) were involved in the lesser of the Brigade tasks, giving support in the capture of Point 331 (9375) and then giving support to the 1st/4th Hampshires in the mopping up of the Monte Gridolfo area. These two tasks were successfully concluded at about 1200 hours when enemy self-propelled guns were seen approaching Monte Gridolfo from the east and moving south on Meleto (9476). Five more self-propelled guns were seen to enter area Colle Longhi (947757), and one was engaged at long range by the Squadron Leader’s tank. Artillery concentrations were brought to bear on the area and no movement was seen until late in the evening when one self-propelled gun came out on the road and was shot up and destroyed by a Troop Leader’s tank. At approximately 1400 hours the 5th Hampshires reported a self-propelled gun in Meleto. This was engaged and driven off, the squadron remaining in observation for the remainder of the day in the area Point 374 and Point 331. At 0200 hours the following morning the enemy put in an attack on Point 331 supported by two or three tanks but this was beaten off. On the left ‘B’ Squadron 51st Royal Tanks were now supporting the 2nd/5th Leicesters in clearing Mondaino whilst ‘C’ Squadron 51st Royal Tanks with the 16th Durhams attacked from the east. While opposition against the 2nd/5th Leicesters, who were attacking from the south, was not particularly strong, well placed snipers and occasional but determined bazooka parties made the task a slow one.

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