Page Nine

39. On the right the initial stages of the 138th Infantry Brigade’s attack went according to plan and at 0500 hours 3 September ‘C’ Squadron moved forward and were in contact with their infantry at 0600 hours and three troops of Churchills made their way down to the river crossing. The tanks reached the crossing then they were fired on by a self-propelled gun located in the cemetery 9182 in the high ground overlooking the river, two tanks being knocked out. The nearby infantry were very heavily stonked and unable to advance. A fourth troop moved up to give support to the tanks in the river, but in the process a further tank was knocked out and the remaining two pinned down by the enemy fire. It was obvious that the enemy was holding excellent hull down positions covering the river. Fresh plans were now made and the cemetery received a heavy artillery concentration while the right flank was smoked. Two companies of infantry were to advance with the remaining tanks, now numbering only five, to the high ground across the Conca. This attack went in and was successful, the infantry, closely supported by the tanks, reaching their objectives. On the right ‘B’ Squadron North Irish Horse crossed the Conca at 1200 hours in support of the 2nd Hampshires. The advance continued well to Point 167 (91814) and enemy positions on the ridges to the northeast and northwest were engaged by the tanks which remained in the forward defended localities for the night in a counter-attack role.

40. Meanwhile ‘A’ Squadron North Irish Horse took over from the depleted ‘C’ Squadron to support the 6th York and Lancasters into San Clemente and the ridges to the northwest. As the sun lowered a self-propelled gun opened up on ‘A’ Squadron from Cevelobatte (8882). Uncle targets were put down by the 142nd Army Field Regiment (Royal Devon Yeomanry) who were on call to the tanks and no casualties were sustained by ‘A’ Squadron. On the left the 139th Infantry Brigade sector, ‘A’ Squadron the 51st Royal Tanks with the 16th Durhams were advancing on Il Poggio (9177) at best tank speed followed by the infantry carriers. This objective was cleared and on arrival at a point some fifteen hundred yards north of it, the leading tanks were fired upon by anti-tank guns on the high ground to the left flank at 913799. Two tanks were knocked out, including the Squadron Leader’s. The ridge was accordingly heavily stonked and attacked by the infantry supported by tanks. Only partial success favoured this attack however as the left flank of our forces was completely exposed and by nightfall only part of the ridge had been secured. The infantry commenced to dig in where they were in view of the close proximity of the enemy it was decided to retain the tanks in the forward position throughout the night in a counter-attack role.

41. It was appreciaked that the enemy rearguards on the Conca. had been broken. In view of the advance towards San Clemente and the capture of the high ground beyond the river, the 1st British Armoured Division were to pass through on 4 September, and the Commander of the 46th Division called for one last effort from the exhausted 128th Infantry Brigade. The brigade, with ‘B’ Squadron North Irish Horse, were to capture the bridges over the river Marano at Ospedalleto (8589), move then five miles ahead and form a flank facing West; the 46th Reconnaissance Regiment with ‘A’ Squadron were to cross the bridge at Ospedalleto and push out westwards, blocking all approaches from the southwest so as to prevent the enemy who had been by-passed from interfering with the movement of the 1st British Armoured Division. The 139th Infantry Brigade with the 51st Royal Tanks were to work forward on the left flank through Cevelobatto. The bridge at Morciano was being harassed by artillery fire throughout the day to prevent the enemy putting demolitions in and destroying it, and at 2200 hours the 2nd/4th KOYLI entered the town and captured the bridge intact.

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