Page 38
29th November - A Squadron moved from Forli to Filetto area in support of the 2nd-4th Gurkhas. An attack was planned with B Squadron and the 1st D.L.Is. on the left, with A Squadron and the 2nd-4th Gurkhas on the right, to clear up more of the bank and its vicinity.
30th November - Lieut. E. D. Bullick got an Ark into position by 1115 hours and this enabled B Squadron to get No. 2 Troop up to B Company of the 1st D.L.Is., and No. 5 Troop in support of A Company, who had filtered over the canal in the night. Both companies dug in and consolidated.
On the right A Squadron moved Nos. 2 and 3 Troops in support of the 2nd-4th Gurkhas ; No. 2 Troop led and it was all road work—several prisoners being collected.
On reaching their objective, a cross-roads, No. 2 Troop and C Company consolidated but came under heavy shell fire. The battalion commander decided to continue straight on to the final objective with C Company and No. 2 Troop. On moving off again more prisoners were taken and track marks turning off the road were spotted by Lieut. W. A. L. Reid, No. 2 Troop Leader. He immediately engaged the houses on his left and " brewed up " a self-propelled gun. The crew of another were seen to bale out. Both guns were captured. The area was consolidated, but heavily shelled by the enemy. The tanks withdrew at last light to harbour, having completed their task and cleared both sides of the river for two thousand yards.
1st December - One Troop of B Squadron, consisting of one 95 mm. tank and one 6-pounder, moved up while No. 2 Troop went back, remaining in position till last light to cover the take-over by the Royal 22nd Regiment of Canada.
During the night of 30th November-1st December the 4th-10th Baluch relieved the 2nd-4th Gurkhas. At approximately 1000 hours No. 1 Troop of A Squadron, supporting C Company, engaged some houses and these were taken by the infantry with little opposition.
No. 3 Troop, in support of C Company, advanced up the road, two prisoners being taken early on. Sixteen prisoners were taken further up this road in more house to house fighting. The leading tank moved off and remained in support in the area of Casa Palacci. The Troop leader's tank moved to a road junction north west, together with the platoon. The houses further on were held in strength and it was decided to consolidate at Casa Palacci where the platoon dug in and the tanks were sited in defensive positions.
During this action No. 1 Troop killed a number of enemy in the vineyards. About 1600 hours a counter-attack developed after shelling and mortaring. This was beaten off with the aid of artillery and aircraft.
At dusk the tanks thinned out, being finally withdrawn at 1900 hours and the infantry were relieved by the West Nova Scotia Regiment.
2nd December - The Regiment received orders to remain in support of the Canadians until relieved by the 12th Battalion 78 Royal Tank Regiment. At 0900 hours No. 5 Troop, B Squadron, with A Company of the Royal 22nd Regiment moved towards Prada, reaching it at 1005 hours. At 1055 hours they reached a road junction, and, while the tanks were engaging houses on the Russi road, Lieut. Mahon's and Sjt. Burns' tanks were hit by an anti-tank gun, casualties being four killed and two wounded. The killed were Sjt. Burns, Tpr. Corbin, Tpr. Stafford and Tpr. Wood ; wounded, L. Cpl. Wallace and Tpr. McClurg. Sjt. Verso's tank was in position behind a house and was not hit. He gave support to the Company when they were heavily counterattacked. His was the only wireless set left with the leading Company. This tank did the work of a Troop and restored the situation. For his part in this action Sjt. Verso won the Military Medal.
No. 2 Troop moved up but were not used. At last light both Troops harboured in the area of Prada.
A Squadron was ordered to support the West Nova Scotia Regiment in the advance towards the River Lamone and at 0915 hours Nos. 2 and 4 Troops moved off with their infantry. Once again houses caused trouble. Four prisoners were taken, the remainder of the enemy being killed. The bridge was found to be blown and the Scolo Via Cupa proved impassable to tanks. One platoon of infantry succeeded in crossing and occupying the houses.
Enemy movement north of the Scolo Via Cupa was successfully engaged. A counter-attack developed about 1600 hours and another later. These were beaten off with the aid of artillery and the tanks. The tanks remained in support until the infantry reserve Company got across, when they withdrew.
The Regiment was relieved by the 12th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment and concentrated in Forli.
Go to next page
or return to the
Index
