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RIVER SENIO ASSAULT

FINAL PHASE

The enemy had his main defensive positions between the Senio and Santerno rivers, inclusive.
The Army plan was to break this line by frontal assault, then to swing north through the Argenta Gap, and destroy the enemy south of the River Po.
A and C Squadrons were under command of the 19th Indian Infantry Brigade - B Squadron was in support of the Cremona Oruppo, who were to attempt a crossing north of Fusignano if the other crossings proved successful. The 8th Indian Division and the New Zealand Division were the assaulting Divisions north of Route 16. The 8th Indian Divisional area was between Lugo and Fusignano, of which 17th Indian Infantry Brigade and the N.I.H. had the north, a1st Indian Infantry Brigade and the 48th Battalion R. Tanks had the south.

9th April - Throughout the day heavy bombing and shelling programmes were carried out. In the evening the tanks and flame throwers went right up to the Senio flood banks and opened fire. The infantry assaulted through the tanks and captured both banks without much difficulty.

10th April - A Bailey Bridge was in position by 0330 hours and tanks of A and C Squadrons crossed without incident. They were met on the far side by guides from the Regiment who had crossed with the assaulting infantry and the Troops were shown the way to the various infantry companies. Capt. J. S. Milne was C Squadron's guide. For this and some exceptionally good reconnaissance work in the advance to the Santerno he was awarded the Military Cross. Every Troop was in its proper position and moving forward with its infantry before first light : A Squadron on the right with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, C Squadron on the left with the Frontier Force Regiment. C Squadron crossed the Arginello Canal and was faced by the Tratturo Canal which had been pre­pared as an anti-tank defensive zone - all trees felled, houses blown down, mines laid and anti-tank guns positioned. Nos. 3 and 4 Troops halted on the Lugo Canal and engaged the enemy. They knocked out one enemy self-propelled anti-tank gun but could not cross the open in daylight.
Lieut. Bexon removed the charges from the Arginello Canal in full view of the enemy, thus saving several hours of vital time He also knocked out one of the self-propelled guns and led the advance to the Tratturo. For this he was awarded the Military Cross.
The Frontier Force Regiment was very tired so the brigadier decided to pass the Punjab Regiment through them at night, the tanks to make their own crossings with Arks and fascines. C Squadron and the Punjabs, then to attack and reach the Santerno. This was successfully accomplished without much fighting as the enemy had pulled out with his heavy equipment, leaving only light machine-guns.
Meanwhile A Squadron, with Nos.1 and 4 Troops leading, found a crossing of the Lugo Canal and formed a small bridgehead over it with the infantry. At 0800 hours Nos.1 and 2 Troops set off by themselves to reconnoitre north west and exploit, if possible. They made considerable progress but were eventually held up by a self-propelled gun. This gun was engaged and withdrew. A dismounted Troop of the 6th Lancers then came up and joined No. 1 Troop. Together they reached the Arginello. They engaged enemy positions and a tank, and reconnoitred for a crossing.
B Squadron, with the Italians who had made a successful crossing, were unable to cross owing to bridging difficulties. Two Troops were ordered to cross on the 19th Infio owing to canals and blown bridges. B Squadron suffered through­out this operation from a lack of Engineer Assault Bridging equip­ment. The Italian attack was planned only at the last minute and was in the nature of a side show. These two Troops had to go back over 19th Brigade bridge and eventually crossed by the long awaited Italian Bailey bridge.

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