Page 29

Meantime No. 3 Troop, consisting of two tanks plus one from No. 1 Troop, had lost two tanks and artillery fire was called for from the forward observation officer to be brought down on the cemetery. No. 4 Troop was now moved up to the left of No. 2 Troop into a support position but in the process the self- propelled gun knocked out one tank and pinned the other two down.

Fresh plans had now to be made and it was decided to bring a heavy artillery concentration down on the cemetery and to smoke the right flank. Two companies were to advance on to the high ground across the river Conca followed by the remaining tanks, now numbering only five. All went well and the infantry, closely followed by the tanks, reached the objective.
On the right, B Squadron advanced across the river Conca at 1200 hours in support of the 2nd Hamps. The advance continued to Point 167 and enemy positions on the ridges to the north-east and north-west were engaged. Some enemy on Point 143 were next shot up and the Squadrons remained in forward defence lines in a counter-attack role for the night.
Meanwhile, on the left, A Squadron took over from C Squadron and supported the 6th York and Lanes into San Clemente and the ridge to the north-west. As the sun got low, self-propelled gunfire was opened on A Squadron from Cevelobatte. A Squadron suffered no damage.

4th September - On the right B Squadron supported the 1st-4th Hamps on to a road junction. Enemy self-propelled guns opened fire from the Coriano ridge. Capt. W. R. Hern's tank was hit, and all members of the crew, bar him, were wounded. On the left A Squadron were ordered to support a Squadron of the Reconnaissance Regiment in an attack on Coriano. This was later changed to an attack on San Savino. As this attack was about to take place the Commanding Officer was asked to form a Churchill firm base through which the 1st British Armoured Division would pass. A Squadron was ordered to form the base on the ridge from Point 151 to Point 174. As the 10th Hussars passed through an enemy tank was observed on the Coriano ridge and knocked out by No. 3 Troop. Three more tanks were engaged. One more was knocked out and the other two got away, though one was hit.
B and A Squadrons rallied close behind the San Clemente feature for the night. The "Intention" paragraph of the 46th British Infantry Division's Operation Order of the 25th August, 1944, read as follows:

” 46th DIVISION WILL BREAK THE GOTHIC LINE”.
In the period between the 25th August and the 4th September this intention was achieved.

When we reached Colbordolo and looked down on, and across, the river Foglia to Monte Gridolfo, it must be confessed the situation looked anything but pleasant. All houses had been razed to the ground, trees and vines felled and avenues prepared between extensive minefields for a hail of machine-gun fire. Panther turrets were suspected and were later found to be there, though not completely ready for action. The assault across the river Foglia and up the bare slopes beyond appeared suicidal, but the speed of our advance had been such that the enemy had not been able to man this line in sufficient strength and so we passed through. The 128th Infantry Brigade, with which we were co-operating, captured first of all Monte Bardolo, the highest ground on our front between the rivers Metauro and Foglia and then Monte Gridolfo, the most eastern strongpoint of the Gothic Line. At the end of this period Major-General J. L. I. Hawkesworth, C.B., C.B.E , D.S.O., issued the following special order:

In one week's fighting we have advanced 25 miles and have broken the Gothic Line. We have defeated the greater part of two German divisions, capturing prisoners and inflicting upon the enemy casualties which cannot be less than 3,000. This is a remarkable achievement and a notable victory. The Army Commander and the Corps Commander have both asked me to tell you they consider the performance of the Division is marvellous. They have asked me to congratulate and thank you.

For security reasons it is inadvisable for me to tell you here the exact total of casualties incurred. The total is, however, smaller than we have incurred in any comparable battle. The fatigue you have borne so patiently and cheerfully has not been in vain : your sweat has saved much blood.

This victory has been won by your gallantry and selfless and untiring devotion to duty. A well-nigh intolerable strain has, at times, been imposed upon all fighting Troops and services. I know of no operation in which such a strain has been imposed upon the services of the Division, and they have met it nobly. The infantry, so ably supported by the artillery, tanks and Royal Engineers, have shown a gallantry, skill and endurance greater than ever before.

You have all shown that not only have you the tools to finish the job, you have, what is infinitely more important, the skill and the courage to use them. We will finish the job soon. (Signed) J. L. I. Hawkesworth, Maj.-Gen.

A paragraph of the 128th Infantry Brigade's account of the assault on the Gothic Line reads as follows:

A special tribute must be paid to Squadrons of the N.I.H. Day after day their Churchills forced positions and supported our infantry over appalling tank country. Undaunted, Squadron leaders on foot led their tanks up seemingly impossible slopes. One tank actually slipped over and crashed two hundred feet down into a ravine, having turned over six times in its descent.

Go to next page
or return to the
Index