Page Eight

35. Mondaino finally cleared, the second phase of the attack, clearing the road triangle 9375, was put into operation. The feature to be secured was actually the high ground which was bordered by the roads forming the triangle. The initial form of attack was a direct assault with tanks supporting the infantry, but this did not proceed much further than the initial stages as the tanks were unable to move off the roads owing to the steep embankments. A further plan was therefore made at 1600 hours when tanks of ‘C’ Squadron using the roads rather in the manner of a Grand Prix circuit ran round the triangle firing into the enemy as they passed in a scene strangely reminiscent of the Red Indians in the bad old days of the west. Although this form of attack inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy it did not force him to abandon the position.
During this operation ‘B’ Squadron 51st Royal Tank Regiment was heavily and accurately bombed by our own aircraft, one tank being put out of action and one officer being evacuated. As last light began to draw near it was decided to withdraw and spend the night in reconnaissances to try to get the tanks off the road on to the high ground within the triangle, and the 5th Foresters were brought up to assist in the attack against this strong-point.

36. The morning of 2 September found the 138th Infantry Brigade pushing forward to within a mile and a half south of Ponte Rosso. Hopes began to run high as the 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps and the 138th Infantry Brigade continued to press forward and the advance continued at 1600 hours with ‘B’ Squadron supporting the 2nd/4th KOYLI. Maria del Monte (9479) was taken with hardly a shot being fired in its defence and many enemy gave themselves up in a very willing manner.
The infantry consolidated the objective and the squadron remained until 2300 hours when they were relieved. ‘C’ Squadron 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps with the 6th Lincolnshires moved up behind the advancing leading troops and were engaged only in minor clashes. In the centre of the divisional front ‘A’ Squadron the North Irish Horse remained firm in the Monte Ridolfo area at constant call but no action on their part was called for. On the left, the attack on the triangle was resumed, this time with ‘B’ Squadron 51st Royal Tank Regiment and the 5th Foresters. A route had been found for tanks during the night 1/2 September, but on a separate axis to that which the infantry would follow, the attack to be a converging one of tanks and infantry. This proved most successful and the tanks were able to get on to the high ground and dominate it for the infantry while the latter mopped up the position. On this occasion co-ordination of the tank and infantry attack was greatly facilitated by the Commanding Officer of the 5th Foresters travelling with the Squadron Leader in his tank. The enemy and the bad going had imposed a severe strain on the resources of the 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps and it was therefore decided that the North Irish Horse should relieve them to support the further advance of the 139th Infantry Brigade while the 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps reverted to under command of the 25th Tank Brigade to carry out maintenance and rest.

Crossing of the River Conca

37. The 46th Division plan was now altered as it appeared that the enemy were likely to attempt a delaying action on the River Conca, and the 138th Infantry Brigade was ordered to capture crossings of the river on the divisional front; the 128th Infantry Brigade was to be prepared to pass through the bridgehead at first light and capture San Clemente (8983), while the 139th Infantry Brigade was ordered to advance down the road from Saludecio (9276) and cross the River Ventena, laying across the line of advance to the Conca.

38. The North Irish Horse moved up to concentrate in the area Monte Busca (9478) and at 2100 hours 2 September Brigadier C.P.Harding, CBE, DSO, MC, Commander, 138th Infantry Brigade, gave out his orders. The plan was for the 2nd/4th KOYLI to form a bridgehead ovor the Ventena during the night 2/3 September and the 6th York and Lancasters supported by ‘C’ Squadron North Irish Horse to pass through across the River Conca and secure the high ground beyond Morciano (9181), a town standing on the east bank of the river. The night was bright and it was decided that one troop from ‘C’ Squadron should follow the infantry, the remainder joining at first light. A section of the Brigade Troop Royal Engineers was attached to No 2 Troop who had made their way down the road through the KOYLI line, opening up on the enemy positions in Morciano at 0600 hours 3 September. During the night the 5th Hampshires advanced directed on Morciano and by first light had reached Ponte Rosso where they were ordered to concentrate, to be joined later by the remaining two Hampshire battalions in the Brigade, during tne early hours of the morning 3 September. (1)

(1) Map 4 - Battle for San Savino, Croce and Gemmano 4 - 10 September 1944.

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