The egocentrism of the 5th Army Commander, whose decision allowed so many of the enemy to escape and fight another day, is recorded by Eric Sevareid, a well-respected American war correspondent, when the 1st Special Service Force was held up on the outskirts of Rome, during the early afternoon of 4 July.

Major General Geoffrey Keyes, II Corps Commander, arrived in a jeep and challenged Brigadier General Robert Frederick, 1st Special Force commander: "General Frederick, what's holding you up here?" "The Germans, sir," Frederick replied. "How long will it take you to get across the city limits?" Keyes asked. "The rest of the day. There are a couple of SP guns up there." "That will not do. General Clark must be across the city limits by four o'clock." "Why?" "Because he has to have his photograph taken." Keyes said. Frederick mulled that over briefly and replied, "Tell the general to give me an hour."

After men of the 1st Special Service Force had silenced the guns, the way was clear for 5th Army commander to have his picture taken in the Holy City. His brief moment of glory was quickly overshadowed as, two days later, the events of D-Day unfolded.

With the mopping-up successfully concluded, we moved into a harbour near Valmontone where the tanks that had been left behind joined us.

The following morning Major MacKean gathered the tank commanders together (I was included). Without remembering the OC's exact words they were something like this:

"First, I will be informing you what the Regiment will be doing next, then I have some good and bad news. The Brigade is now under command of 4th Division with the NIH being attached to 17th Indian Brigade. This means we will probably be fighting in the Appenines. The good news is that everyone will be getting one day's liberty in Rome over the next few days."

When someone asked the Major what was the bad news, wearing a broad smile, he went on:

"It's the end of Canadian rations for us. So, unless you're fond of tinned fish, curry and chapatis you're in for some interesting eating! Speaking of curry, I'm pleased to tell you that Major Russell is recovering well from his injuries."

Surprisingly to some, the tinned fish was excellent enough to garner aficionados, Ballyrashane's crew among them, to become a regular trading item whenever the opportunity for a spot of bartering became available.