It was the morning of 16th November, men of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, while crossing the river (the bridge was blown) were greeted by intense machine gun and rifle fire from the far bank, particularly from several small buildings surrounding the casa, half-hidden among the trees. One, a brick shed, was particularly troublesome and it was due to the bravery of one man, Private Joseph Albert Bray, although twice wounded, that an enemy attack of great strength was defeated. Recommended to receive the Victoria Cross, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Sadly, he died of his wounds on 30th December not knowing of the honour that had been bestowed on him.

With Ballyrashane leading, our small unit moved a short way to harbour for the night outside a tiny village of San Berardo, near where the Montone split into two on its journey to the Adriatic - it was there that Skipper decided to base his operational HQ. While we were in Cesena, stories had filtered down how our sister Squadrons were constantly called upon to assist the infantry clearing hamlets (at times even solitary buildings) sitting just a few feet above extensively flooded areas. It proved to be 'B' Squadron's experience also!

A Tragic Saturday

During the next two days, our tanks inched their way forward until being stopped by a blown bridge, over the northern arm of the Montone. The arrival of an HQ Squadron Churchill "Ark" (a bridging tank) soon got things moving again. During the days leading up to 2nd December, while supporting no fewer than four infantry regiments as they advanced, despite not being able to move off the roads, none of the tanks had been damaged by enemy fire, although one of 5 Troop's had dropped out with mechanical problems - it was replaced by HQF Troop's Bangor.

The decision having been made to capture the small town of Russi (renowned for the quality of the red wines from its vineyards) at first light 5 Troop set off in support of Canada's Le Royal 22e Regiment. By late morning, Bangor, followed by the tanks of the Troop Leader and Sergeant Freddy Verso, set about clearing the enemy from the houses of a small village, sitting astride a junction with the road to Russi. While engaged in this activity, Bangor was knocked out by an anti-tank gun killing all but two of the crew. Almost immediately, the same gun destroyed the Troop Leader's tank wounding two of the crew in the process. Freddy Verso's Churchill, although left on its own, did a magnificent job helping the Canadians beat off a furious counter-attack.

That morning, the Regiment lost the last of its personnel to be killed in the war. I lost the commander with whom I served during the Tunisian Campaign, Sergeant "Roy" Burns. He, with Troopers Norman Corbin, Robert Arthur Stafford and John Wood, rest for ever side-by-side in Forli War Cemetery, Vecchiazzano.

Next morning we were relieved by 21st Army Tank Brigade's 48th RTR, as ordered, we then returned to Forli. Later we learned that our remaining tanks were the only ones of the Regiment still operational.