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On the 7th October B Squadron moved off before first light to support 20th Indian Infantry Brigade in the Monte Farneto attack. Major Mackean split the Squadron and, with No. 2 Troop and Lieut. Irwin's Shermans, was to help the 2nd-3rd Gurkhas on the right of the feature. Capt. Sidebottom, with Nos. 4 and 5 Troops, was to support the 3rd Mahrattas on the left. Both battalions attacked with great dash and captured their objectives before first light. The tanks moved down a very winding road in the dark, led by Capt. Sidebottom, and over the bridge. It was now raining heavily and German fire was coming down. Capt. Sidebottom's force turned left, soon joined up with the 3rd Mahrattas, and took up counter-attack positions.
Major Mackean's force continued up the road but found the next culvert blown. There was no way round so he had to come back and go up the track used by Capt. Sidebottom. He eventually tied up with the 2nd-3rd Gurkhas at mid-day. At 1400 hours a very heavy counter-attack developed and Lieut. Irwin took his Troop right up the east side and fired on Cidla Araldi where the attack was forming up. There were two more counter-attacks during the afternoon, both of which were beaten off. Shelling during the whole period was heavy and unfortunately Major Mackean was hit late in the afternoon and died in the Regimental aid post. The tanks rallied for the night just behind the leading companies and were fully supplied and replenished by 0400 hours, Capt. Hern having a very warm time getting his jeeps and trailers through some heavy harassing fire.
8th October - It was still raining heavily. B Squadron moved to counter-attack positions before first light and Lieut. Fleming took his Troop up the east side. There were two counter-attacks and heavy shelling throughout the day.
C Squadron moved off at 0300 hours in thick mist and rain with the intention of being on the infantry objectives by first light. The plan was: on the right, 3rd-18th Garhwals supported by Nos.1 and 2 Troops under Major R. D. Morton with objective San Lorenzo. On the left, 3rd/1st Punjabs supported by Nos.3 and 4 Troops under Capt. C. M. Thomas, M.C., with objective right of Roncofreddo. The going, owing to the heavy rain, was impossible and by 0700 hours it was obvious that the tanks could go no further, several being already badly bogged. The infantry were on their objectives by mid-day. Trooper G. King, a fitter, was killed by shellfire during the morning.
9th October - B Squadron, still in counter-attack role on Monte Farneto, beat off another counter-attack and were subjected to heavy shelling.
C Squadron was trying to get out of their bog, one tank being completely under water. Supply to both B and C Squadrons was difficult, but jeeps and trailers proved invaluable. C Squadron rations had to be floated across the river to them. Shelling was lighter.
10th October - Shelling on B Squadron was still heavy but lighter elsewhere. C Squadron extracted some tanks from the mud on to the San Lorenzo road. During the night, 10th-11th October, A Squadron moved up to the area Sogliano.
11th October - The 10th Indian Infantry Brigade was now ordered to push on through 20th Indian Infantry Brigade. A Squadron moved Nos.2 and 3 Troops in support of the 1st Durham Light Infantry, whose objective was Monteleone. Again the tanks were completely road-bound and had to advance through the small village of San Paola. This village was found still to contain some enemy but good shooting by No.2 Troop helped the 2nd-4th Gurkhas to clear it. This action also helped the Durhams. The road between San Paola and Monteleone was found to be mined so the two Troops took up positions there.
B Squadron was still on Monte Farneto and C Squadron was re-organising in Roncofreddo.
12th-13th October - No movement was possible due to rain.
14th October - C Squadron moved just east of Roncofreddo. B Squadron came under command of 10th Indian Infantry Brigade and moved to the area of Monteleone.
A Squadron moved Nos.2 and 3 Troops to Sorrivoli in support of the 4th Baluchs. The track from San Paola to Sorrivoli was scarcely " jeepable " and due to the heavy rain no more tank moves were permitted.
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