An hour or two later, could be heard the sound of tanks moving down from Sogliano and, led by 2 Troop and a few of HQ Squadron's Shermans, they lined the road behind our position way back to the bridge, perhaps even on the other side. The Major, who arrived shortly afterwards, told us that the Germans were retreating towards Cesena and, to protect their south-western flanks, had put substantial numbers of men both north of where we were and on Monte Farneto, a hill feature to the west between the rivers Fiumicino and Savio. The plan to cut Hwy 9 before Cesena had been abandoned, the 4th Indian Division being ordered to cross the Savio then to drive to the north-east to cut the highway, before the enemy could reach safety within the large town of Forli.

Before darkness fell, Major MacKean and Captain Sidebottom accompanied by several infantry personnel set off to look for river crossings suitable for tracked vehicles to use, two being found, a few hundred yards apart divided by a small but fast-flowing stream. Consequently, it was decided to split the Squadron in three units, the Major's (a troop each of Churchills and Shermans) in support of the Gurkhas, would cross at the downstream location, the Captain's (two troops of Churchills) in support of the Mahrattas, at the one upstream. The third unit, two troops of Churchills, to be in reserve.

Monte Farneto - 7th October 1944

Two hours before first light, observing a strict radio silence, we set off down the road (steeper and more winding than the one down from Sogliano). It was pitch black which, coupled with intermittent rain, required the exercising of great care during the descent. It was especially difficult for Ballyrashane, being in the lead and not having the benefit of following a convoy light, however, guided by the infantry, we and all the other tanks made it safely down. Surprisingly, although it seemed to be much longer, it had only taken about a half-hour to reach the point where the Captain Sidebottom's unit was to move off the road.

With the Gurkhas trotting alongside Ballyrashane, our unit made its way steadily forwards only to find that the bridge, carrying the road over the stream dividing the two crossing points, had been demolished. As there was no possibility of crossing the stream in the immediate vicinity, skipper ordered 2 Troop's Leader to take a patrol to look for a possible crossing between the bridge and the stream/river confluence. None was found, even if one had been the tanks would have become hopelessly bogged down before reaching it. The only alternative was to retrace steps and make the crossing at the upstream location. The Gurkhas in the meantime, the blown bridge being to them only a minor inconvenience, had pushed on despite the lack of tank support. As it turned out, it was a good decision as they, with the Mahrattas on their left, had quickly cleared Monte Farneto of the enemy.

The move back to where Captain Sidebottom's unit has exited the road, while seeming to be a simple task, was very much the opposite. The road was too narrow for tanks to turn on, even for a Churchill which could turn on its own axis when in neutral. Some tanks which left the road's macadam surface were soon bogged down in the rain-sodden ground and had to be towed out. Skipper decided that he and I should board the rearmost Sherman and, even though it was becoming lighter, moving the tanks in reverse proved a tedious process but was nothing when compared with the difficulties that followed.