Before first light with the Mahrattas in the van 'B' Squadron and the Punjabis set off to tackle the natural barrier formed by the Teodorano massif. Although the weather had taken a turn for the better, it was slow going for the tanks, so much so, that the Mahrattas were soon far ahead. When we eventually caught up we found them below Monte Cavallo's lower crest, sheltered from the heavy enemy machine gun fire that had stopped their further progress. Skipper dismounted to locate the Infantry HQ and, having found it, signalled Ballyrashane to join him there.

Before further progress could be made on the road to the Ronco, it was obviously necessary to first remove the Germans from Monte Cavallo's second ridge (nearly two-hundred feet above) prior to assaulting Castello di Teodorano, which dominates the whole area from its perch two-hundred and fifty feet higher up. Consequently, in order to formulate a plan how to best proceed. The Lord O'Neill (who had arrived in a jeep) and Major Sidebottom met with the Mahratta's Commanding Officer to discuss possible options.

The conference over, the two NIH officers boarded the jeep for the short drive up to the hill. Dismounting just short of the crest, they had only walked a few yards when a shell or mortar bomb (both the driver and Skipper, on his return from hospital, said it was a mortar bomb) landed nearby, instantly killing Lt. Colonel The Lord O'Neill and wounding Major Sidebottom, fortunately not life-threatening. Miraculously, the jeep's driver (if memory serves aright it was 'B' Squadron's "Willie" Grant) was unharmed.

Major Sidebottom, after having his wounds dressed at the Mahratta's Aid Station, was evacuated to the Division's Field Hospital. As will be seen, he was to rejoin the Squadron some weeks later. The Lord O'Neill rests forever in the Coriano Ridge War Cemetery along with Major MacKean and Troopers Barwell and King.

Two Bridges Too Far

Early Wednesday morning the Squadron (now under command of Captain AKE Finch-Noyes) and the Mahrattas, without meeting any enemy resistance, settled down on Monte Cavallo's higher ridge. It was conjectured, later to be proven correct, without heavy weapons to stop our tanks the bulk of the German army had retreated to take up positions across the river Ronco. As darkness fell, the Punjabi's moved through our position going on to capture the castle and its surrounding village in the face of little enemy resistance.

Where to go next? Unlike the relatively easy going that 'B' Squadron had enjoyed thus far, 'C' Squadron had had extremely difficult ground upon which to advance. With the rain now coming steadily down, it was apparent that any hope of the latter's tanks reaching the northern bridge in a reasonable time was gone. The conditions were such that even the Gurkha regiments had almost accepted defeat.

Later in the day, the powers that be came to a decision. A reconnaissance of the ground below the massif, where it swung to the north, showed it to be so water-sodden to make it almost impossible for the Squadron to reach the southern bridge directly. However, a reasonable alternative, to advance on a track, skirting the massif as it continued northwards, seemed distinctly possible. Thus, orders were received to move out at first light on the alternative route - see A on the map.