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The commanding officer ordered the remnants of B and C squadrons to rally near the start line and by using the regimental headquarters tanks less the Commanding Officer's, another composite force was formed here under Captain Mackean who had returned on foot. There was still considerable enemy activity in and around the Forme d'Aquino and A squadron, under Major Griffith, were fired at by machine-guns throughout the night. Unfortunately just before last light on this day a chance Nebel-werfer burst landed in the regimental headquarters and C squadron refuelling area as a result of which the last casualties in the regiment were incurred. The commanding officer returned to 2nd Brigade Headquarters at 1800 hours where he reported to Brigadiers Gibson and Tetley. He learned that the whole operation was concluded successfully and 5th Canadian Armoured Division were preparing to exploit through towards the river Melfa. Thus ended the battle of the Adolf Hitler Line, a battle in which both Canadian Infantry and our tanks faced very stubborn and fierce resistance. Heavy casualties had been inflicted on the enemy and we sustained, in our turn, serious casualties. It is now known that 1st Canadian Division suffered one thousand casualties in killed, wounded and missing and the N.I.H. lost twenty-five tanks, thirty-four officers and men being killed and thirty-six wounded. The greatest gallantry and devotion to duty was displayed by all ranks throughout the battle and their determination to support the infantry at all costs has caused the highest praise from all sources. The regiment is known to have destroyed two Panther Mark V tanks, two Mark IV Specials, one self-propelled 75 mm. gun, one Panther turret emplacement, one 88 mm. anti-tank gun, one 75 mm. anti-tank gun, one 20 mm. dual purpose gun, two armoured machine-gun posts and several snipers. Casualties on enemy infantry could not be computed. Some six months had been spent by the enemy in constructing this line, emplacements for anti-tank guns and machine-guns being made of steel and concrete and very cleverly sited. Minefields and wire were laid tactically so as to draw on tanks and infantry into definite killing grounds. Tank obstacles were found on the flanks, again to force our tanks into desired areas All artillery and mortar fire had been registered previously, lanes of fire had been cut cleverly in woods and scrub and in some cases large clearings had been made. Camouflaged snipers formed the outposts of the line and must have acted as artillery and mortar observation posts. The static defences of the line were augmented by approximately thirty tanks and self-propelled guns. At first light on 24th May, 1944, the regiment was put at one hour's notice and ordered to re-organise as quickly as possible on the basis of two Churchill troops and two Sherman troops per fighting squadron.

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