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11th April - C Squadron was relieved by a Sherman Squadron of the 4th Hussars under command of the N.I.H. This Squadron led an attack north between the rivers Senio and Santerno. They made good progress for two thousand yards when they ran into an anti-tank gun which knocked out the leading Sherman, killing four of the crew. C Squadron joined up with 21st Indian Infantry Brigade who had come up on our left.
The 4th Hussars were withdrawn in the afternoon and rejoined their own Regiment.
A Squadron had a quiet day preparing for a night advance.
B Squadron managed to get two Troops and Squadron Headquarters over the river by 0100 hours - the remainder got over in the course of the day. Nos 2 and 5 Troops joined the Italians and cut Route 16 while the Italians entered Alfonsine. Major Side-bottom had great difficulty in getting any plans or information out of the Italians - the three Generals who commanded this Brigade was in hot dispute amongst themselves, but in spite of their commanders the Italian soldiers did very well.
Night of 9th-12th April - A Squadron accomplished a most spectacular night march. Unaccompanied by infantry they crossed six thousand yards of difficult country using their own bridging devices By dawn they had reached the Santerno, three miles north of C Squadron. Unfortunately the enemy had just pulled out and by a few minutes had escaped the trap.
At 0800 hours three Troops reached the Senio-Reno river junction, thus clearing all the country in front of the Italians. The Santerno proved to be strongly held and all bridges gone. A Squadron was recalled to avoid misunderstandings with the Italians who now had a clear run to the river Santerno.C Squadron moved north and joined up with A Squadron, capturing a few stragglers on the way.
B Squadron came along Route 16 as fast as bridging permitted and contacted A Squadron patrols by last light.
13th April - The 19th Indian Infantry Brigade was withdrawn for a well-earned rest so A and C Squadrons had a rest. Major R. D. Morton M.C., had a badly swollen knee and had to go back. Capt. C. M. Thomas, M.C., took over C Squadron.
B Squadron was ordered to give all possible support to the Italians who planned an assault crossing of the Santerno.
At 0630 hours No. 5 Troop advanced straight up Route 16. Lieut. B. L. Pope got his tank on top of the flood bank and opened fire on the far bank. The tank was hit by a Panzerfaust but was not penetrated. They reversed out over several mines that did not go oft. The Italian infantry was pinned down by mortar and Spandau fire and never reached the bank.
Meanwhile No. 4 Troop went forward without the infantry who were nut ready. They entered La Pastorello without opposition and, advancing through thick vines, reached the Santerno by a blown railway bridge. They shot up all enemy posts they could observe. They were heavily mortared. At mid-day the Troop collected the Italian Infantry and again attacked the bank, this time driving right up to it. This attack failed. At 1600 hours they attacked again and on this occasion the Italians went across. Lieut. K. W. Foott did very excellent work rallying and leading the Italians on his feet. He was awarded the Military Cross. There were no Italian officers present.
14th April - A tank crossing had been made during the night, but B Squadron was no longer required as the 2nd Armoured Brigade had already reached the Argenta bridge from the south. The total number of prisoners was two hundred and fifty in this action - the dead were not counted. B Squadron came under command of the Regiment again and settled down in La Pastorella.
15th-19th April - The Regiment was in Army reserve with the 8th Indian Division. This was a very fortunate break for us and a very unusual one. It allowed everyone to get some sleep and the tanks to be fully maintained. The remarkable achievement of having every tank in the Regiment still going when the Campaign ended was due to first-class recovery and repair work by the Regimental fitters and the light aid detachment. No other tank Regiment has ever achieved this, even with Shermans. Churchill tanks are by far the most difficult to keep on the road.
20th April - The Regiment, ordered to support Bth Indian Division up Route 16 and to capture Ferrara, moved to a concentration area near Consondola.
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