A couple of days after the trip to Rome, Major MacKean called us together to announce that the Regiment's Sherman equipped Troops were now part of a composite squadron, under command of Major Welch MC, with orders to advance in a north-easterly direction towards Perugia. Departing the following morning, having averaged over forty miles a day for three days, the Shermans eventually reached the small town of Bastia, a few miles west of Arezzo, before encountering any signs of the enemy.

A few days later, Major MacKean, having been ordered to relieve Major Welch, informed me that I was to go with him to join up with composite squadron. With Trooper Griffiths (known to one and all as "Griff") at the wheel of the Squadron's Humber Scout Car, the one hundred and thirty mile journey to the foothills of the Apennines, although somewhat cramped, went reasonably well. Happily the Compo Boxes, lashed to each of the rear fenders, had remained in place. During the journey I learnt that the Major had decided to use the scout car, which had a 19 Set installed, as his Tactical Headquarters.

Humber Scout Car
Photo courtesy Imperial War Museum

Arriving in the early evening TacHQ was established on the lower slopes of Ripa, a mountain on which, at an elevation of 2,244 feet, sits the village of the same name. It turned out that I had nothing much to do as with the dawn, came the news that the squadron was being relieved. While waiting, for two days the Shermans acted as mobile artillery shooting off virtually all their stock of HE ammunition at targets of opportunity.

Not being exposed to enemy fire, the scout car had performed well as a command centre, even though it was necessary to run the engine frequently to keep the battery charged. The general consensus was that the Shermans had also performed well except, not having the climbing ability of the Churchills, during the assault on Ripa.

When relieved, as delivery of the 75mm gunned Churchills was imminent, the Shermans were left parked near Bastia, the crews being transported to Narni where the bulk of the Regiment was concentrated. As the OC used his staff car to rejoin his command, being less crowded, the journey in the Humber Scout Car was more comfortable for yours truly. When we arrived I told Griffiths, in a misguided fit of generosity, that he could keep the one unopened Compo Box still strapped to one of the rear fenders.