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21st November - The Commanding Officer and Major R. D. Morton, M.C., commanding A Squadron, visited Headquarters, 4th-10th Baluchs, under whose command C Squadron was sent. The forward positions were some 200 to 300 yards from the bank of the river Montone, in houses, and the enemy were holding dug-out positions and houses on the river bank itself. The country was thick and cultivated and before the tanks could get into any sort of position a small canal had to be crossed which necessitated a fascine. Meanwhile a reconnaissance of the crossing was made and a likely place chosen. The remainder of C Squadron arrived in harbour by 1700 hours.

23rd November - A fascine arrived early in the morning and was fixed to Sjt. Kennedy's tank by mid-day. A plan was made to clear houses near the river, as the first phase, with one platoon and to clear other houses on the bank as a second phase with two platoons. Unfortunately the fascine tank bogged, but with the help of the infantry bundles of sticks were thrown into the canal and No. 4 Troop went across and contacted the infantry. They successfully shot the platoon into the houses and pulled back to re-organise for the second objective but the light was rapidly fading so the Commanding Officer of the 4th-10th Baluch postponed the attack until the following morning.

24th November - Air support was called for and arrived in the morning, after night patrols had reported the enemy dug into the banks and using tunnels through the canal. The flood banks were about thirty feet high on both sides of the river. These banks were the only high ground in the Po Valley. The enemy dug deep into them and was immune from all forms of fire. The banks were complete tank obstacles in themselves and formed the basis of every German defensive line. This was the first of many we were to meet in the Po Valley. No better obstacle could be devised.
At 1430 hours No. 4 Troop crossed the canal again and went in to deal with houses near the bank of the river Montone. All went well until the infantry reached the houses, then Spandau and heavy shelling forced them to ground. The fire was coming from the bank and opposite side of the river and the tanks found it impossible to locate them. Meanwhile No. 1 Troop had crossed the canal and come up to support No. 4 Troop. An enemy tank was spotted on the bank on the other side but disappeared before it could be engaged. The infantry Commanding Officer decided to withdraw but he had no communication with his leading platoon. Lieut. G. C. Gumming got out of his tank and eventually found the platoon leader in one of the houses and told him to withdraw. No.1 Troop covered their withdrawal and both Troops came back to harbour for the night. The 4th-10th Baluch had suffered casualties and the Commanding Officer decided to give the position a rest.
Crocodiles were suggested as the ideal weapon and the Commanding Officer of N.I.H. managed to get two from the 142nd Regiment R.A.C., but owing to more rain they could not get up to the bank.

25th November - No. 2 Troop shot up houses on the other side of the river during the morning. The forward observation officer of the Royal Devon Yeomanry knocked down the church tower in the village, which was being used as an enemy observation post.
C Squadron concentrated in Filetto under command of the 43rd Lorried Gurkhas who relieved the 10th Indian Infantry Brigade in this sector.

26th November - B Squadron moved through Forli at 0600 hours over the Bailey Bridge and made contact with the 1st Durham Light Infantry who had made a crossing during the night, on the far bank of the river Montone at Casa Boschi. Major A. K. E. Finch Noyes made his tactical Headquarters at San Bermado. Thus the Regiment had one Squadron over the river and two Squadrons on the east bank. The general plan was to clear up both banks of the Montone northwards to give 1st Canadian Division enough room and a good start for their coming attack to the Lamone. No. 2 Troop shot up several houses but the opposition was stiff and a further plan necessary.

27th November - One Company of the 2nd-4th Gurkhas, under command of the 1st Durham Light Infantry, was supported by No. 2 Troop and further progress in clearing the bank was made. No. 5 Troop shelled houses.

28th November - B Squadron remained in support of the 1st D.L.Is. A Squadron was in reserve and C Squadron with the 43rd Lorried Indian Brigade.

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