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World War Two - North Irish Horse Battle Reports

Page 34

15th October – Nos.2 and 3 Troops, A Squadron, under Lieut. W. A. L. Reid, and now reduced to three runners, tried to move from Sorrivoli to Dio La Guardia but were unable to reach the top due to the narrowness of the track and a blow. Engineers were called for and worked all night.

16th October - At 1300 hours the three tanks managed to reach the few buildings at Dio La Guardia, but progress was very slow and all had to have Royal Engineers' ass1stance A small bulldozer was giving great help. No. 2 Troop, B Squadron, tried to get up to Ardiano but got bogged.

17th October - Lieut. Reid got his A Squadron tanks down to Monte Reale by first light and linked up with the 4th Baluchs. Any movement on this forward slope during daylight was heavily shelled.

18th October - Nearly all Troop leaders in the Regiment were out looking for ways forward as all movement of tanks on maintenance routes was disastrous. Lieut. Reid again got forward with his infantry to Aquarola, where they were shelled heavily all day.

19th October - A Squadron now overlooking the river Savio and reconnaissances were carried out to find a crossing. A possible place was found near Gastiglione on Route 71. The Division was now forced to switch its maintenance route down the Sogliano-Mercato road and then up Route 71.

20th October - Reconnaissances were made of the river Savio. A ford below Mario Riopetra was found by Lieut. Milne, No. 4 Troop, A Squadron, who was with the Central Indian Horse.

21st October - C Squadron moved from Roncofreddo to Cello via Mario Riopetra. Rain again poured down but all tanks were safely across the Savio before it rose. Tracks were in a terrible state. The road forward from Cello to Borello was impassable, so the river bed was reconnoitred by Lieut. Milne and found to be just possible. The plan was for 20th Indian Infantry Brigade to attack Monte Cavallo supported by C Squadron, and 25th Indian Infantry Brigade to attack Monte Delia Rovere supported by A Squadron. The attack went in on the night of the 21st and was only partially successful on 20th Brigade front. 25th Brigade and A Squadron established only a small bridgehead. By the afternoon all of C Squadron had got to Borello, a very good effort, Lieut. Milne walking all the way, sometimes up to his chest in water.

23rd October - B Squadron moved from Monte Farneto to Borello to take over C Squadron commitments with 20th Indian Infantry Brigade. C Squadron was put under command of the 43rd Lorried Gurkha Brigade and was directed to Delia Rovere. C Squadron again moved down the river bed to Castiglione and so found the blows in Route 71. They then tried to get up the road but met two large demolitions. Meanwhile No. 4 Troop, C Squadron, went up the Monte Cavallo road in an effort to get across by the track from Monte Cavallo to Tesselo but were also held up by mines and blows. Engineers were put on both roads, our own section with the main part of C Squadron, and did very valuable work. Lieut. Bexon and a serjeant from No. 4 Troop, C Squadron, went out during the night to look at the Tesselo track, it looked very doubtful.

24th October - The 43rd Lorried Gurkha Brigade attacked Tes­selo with great success. C Squadron made slow progress up the road to help them and Lieut. Bexon took No. 4 Troop down the track he had reconnoitred the night before. It was very bad and he took fifteen hours to do about one mile, but at last light reached the road Delia Rovere where he was re-fuelled by Honeys which had followed him down.
B Squadron pushed up the Monte Cavallo road to support the 3rd Mahrattas who were held up outside Teodorano. A plan was made by Major Sidebottom and the Company commander, and No. 4 Troop with a platoon of infantry reached Ardiano with No. 5 Troop in support. There was heavy shelling and the Commanding Officer Lieut. Colonel The Lord O'Neill was killed and Major Sidebottom wounded. The tanks stayed till last light and then withdrew with the infantry.

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