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It was fitting that the men of the North Irish Horse should be buried near their Canadian
comrdes in arms, who fought and fell with them in the Adolf Hitler Line. The 23rd of May
took a heavy toll of the Regiment. Thirty-two of our friends were buried in that plot of land.
A simple and moving Service of Consecration was held at the cemetery and the site has left associations deeply imprinted upon the minds of the Canadian and British Troops concerned.
29th May - The Regiment concentrated at Pofi after a long and slow approach march.
30th May - After another difficult night march Squadrons moved up Route 6 to join up with their infantry.
31st May - During the night, the Edmontons with C Squadron, established themselves in Frosinone and by first light B Squadron were linked up with the Seaforths just north of Frosinone and A Squadron with the Princess Pat's just south of that town.
The 2nd Canadian Brigade was ordered soon afterwards to capture and hold Monte Radicino as soon as possible so as to secure the right flank of 1st Canadian Brigade which was advancing up the western side of the valley. The Brigadier ordered the Edmontons to carry out this task as soon as possible and an Order Group was held immediately. It was decided to attack with the Edmontons, supported by C Squadron under Major P. Welch M.C., with A Squadron to support C Squadron and protect their right flank. A section of the R.E. Troop of 25th Tank Brigade was asked for and arrived at 1130 hours. At this time all movement in the valley was being subjected to enemy artillery and mortar fire. One battery of the Royal Devon Yeomanry was put in support of C Squadron and the advance on the objective started at 1145 hours. The Commanding Officer ordered B Squadron Commander to push two Troops forward to a small vine-covered feature from which they could control the left flank of the attack. At 1300 hours, after slow progress owing to very difficult country, C Squadron were held up by a large demolition on Highway 6. Major Welch gave the Section of R.Es. the task of making a crossing of the stream to the East of the demolition, and, with the help of the Infantry Pioneers, this was completed and C Squadron across in 75 minutes from starting. Very little opposition was encountered on the right of the objective, fire coming from a convent situated on a small but steep knoll' One Company of infantry and two Troops of C Squadron were despatched to take this feature and, during this operation, the tanks of C Squadron and Shermans of A Squadron fired a lot of ammunition at the feature. One Sherman of C Squadron turned upside down in a deep hole but no casualties were incurred throughout the day.
1st June - The village of Ferentino was cleared of the enemy and the day was spent in carrying out essential maintenance. The Regiment was involved in no further operations until Lieut .Col. E V. Strickland, M.M., acting Commanding Officer, handed over command of the Regiment to Lieut. Col. The Lord O'Neill who re-joined the Regiment from hospital on the 3rd June, 1944.
4th June - Lieut. Col. Strickland left the Regiment to return to command the 145th Regiment R.A.C.
6th June - Orders were received that 25th Army Tank Brigade would come under command of 4th British Division and the N.I.H. were to be affiliated to 28th Infantry Brigade commanded by Brigadier A. Montague Douglas Scott, D.S.O., an old friend of the Regiment from the time when he had commanded the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards.
During the afternoon Major-General Dudley Ward, D.S.O., outlined his plan for the advance of 4th British Division from the area of Valmontone, north through Tivoli, which had been taken that morning by the French from a south-westerly direction. The 28th Infantry Brigade and N.I.H. were to be in reserve.
7th June - The Regiment received orders during the evening to move to a harbour area near Valmontone. Affiliations were arranged with battalions of 28th Infantry Brigade but this brigade was not used and on 10th June the 8th Indian Infantry Division took over the advance from 4th Division and N.I.H. came under command of the 17th Indian Infantry Brigade.
Owing to its being impossible to provide transporters the Regiment remained in the area of Valmontone until 16th June. This period was used for rest and maintenance and "Liberty" runs into Rome were organized. On arrival in Rome one truck driver, asked of another where he could park the truck, was informed that he could put it "by the bombed-out building" the reference point was the Coliseum.
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