A few days following my return to the Squadron, word came the OC wanted to see me. On reporting, I was surprised to find that Major Sidebottom was accompanied by the Squadron's one time SSM, now RQMS (Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant) William "Tubby" Docksey. Coming straight to the point, Skipper told me to volunteer to undertake an "important mission" which turned out to be going to Benevento, locating the premises of Strega Alberti, then bargaining for as many bottles of Liquore Strega as possible. He went on to explain that the purchase was to be equally divided between the Officer's and Sergeant's Messes who were providing the necessary funds. Before I could say anything, it was the turn of the SQMS to turn the screw somewhat tighter by informing me that a 15-cwt Bedford and driver would be made available for my use and that I could make the trip a leisurely one. However, he concluded with a stern warning, that I had to be back no later than one week "or else." When asked if I had any questions, I suggested, that as I had been away from the Squadron so much, perhaps consideration should be given to selecting someone else. The OC said something to the effect that had I forgotten Major Russell's words when he asked me to bargain for some chickens? As I was still without my third stripe, I wanted to say that I didn't see what anything that occurred so long ago in Algeria was relevant, but prudence prevailed. The growing suspicion that the pair had previously considered that I may object was confirmed, when the SQMS administered the coup de grâce. He reminded me that I was in his debt, quoting the occasion he had covered for me when I returned late from a 24-hour leave just before the Regiment had departed Wickham Market.

The Grand Tour

Two days later as daylight dawned, with about 280 miles to go, we were off on the way south. In our possession, an impressive looking but completely ficticious set of travel orders, a purchase order for the Strega people, several tins of cigarettes, a Compo Box and a considerable sum of Italian lire stashed in the 15cwt Bedford's toolbox.

With 'B' Squadron's L/Cpl Miller at the wheel we drove alongside the Adriatic until reaching our turning-off point at Pescara about lunchtime. Although we had six jerricans of petrol on board, we decided to fill up at the local POL (Petrol, oil and lubricant) supply point where, much to my personal relief, the NCO in charge only gave our papers a cursory look. As the local NAAFI was nearby we stopped there before travelling on - I cannot recall what we had to eat, whatever it was it was gratefully received by two hungry travellers!

At Pescara, the railway line which ran parallel to the road which we had travelled branched into two directions - one line continuing south, the other to the west. We debated whether to follow the railway line as it branched off, hovever, on a closer examination of the map, we decided to continue along the coast road to the south.

The town of Ortona, the capture of which had cost so much Canadian blood, was soon reached - although there were a few signs of rebuilding, obviously a great deal of reconstruction work lay ahead. After a short pause, we continued southwards until reaching the small town of Termoli where, by unanimous consent, we decided it was time to brew-up - the pleasant way, not what had happened to someof our tanks the previous May. The town, which had been liberated by Commandos and the SAS, after a fierce battle almost exactly one year earlier, looked to be in a much better shape than the town we had driven through a couple of hours earlier.

A few miles further south, following the road swung away from the coast, we reached Citta di San Severo where we found a small ristorante open for business. Except for some delicious crusty bread and a glass of vino, I cannot recall exactly what we had to eat, but I do remember that it was a meal enjoyed by both of us. Although "mine host" would not allow us to pay anything, he was most pleased to accept a tin of Compo Box cigarettes in lieu of lire. The inner man well satisfied it was time to call it a day - both of us were tired enough not be bothered by the area's history of being damaged by many an earthquake - so we settled down for the night a short distance out of the town.