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21st April - B Squadron with the 17th Indian Infantry Brigade moved up Route 16 meeting only light opposition.
22nd April - B Squadron with the Punjabs continued the advance. When within two miles of Ferrara the opposition stiffened. At 1600 hours B Squadron with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders passed through A Squadron and reached the canal south of Ferrara.
The canal bridge was blown up in sight of the leading Troop. No assault crossing equipment was immediately available so they had to wait.
Meanwhile C Squadron, with the 21st Indian Infantry Brigade, had made a rapid advance north on a parallel road west of Route 16 and reached the south western outskirts of Ferrara where they were held up by several German tanks. At last light these withdrew into the town and blew up the bridge behind them.
23rd April - At first light Nos.3 and 4 Troops of C Squadron, commanded by Capt Milne, was ordered to advance to the River Po, and prevent the enemy from using some known ferrying place. By 1045 hours No.3 Troop (Lieut. D. R. King) reached the Po and captured a large assortment of vehicles, stores, etc. This virtually cut off the strong German force holding Ferrara. For this and for previous excellent work Lieut. King was awarded the Military Cross.
Nos.1 and 2 Troops under Capt. F. A. Norris supported the 1st Mahratta Regiment in clearing up all the country south of the Po di Volano. They had some stiff fighting but succeeded in their task.
B Squadron, with the Jaipurs, fought their way into the factory area on the west of Ferrara. They met with very stiff opposition from German tanks. There was only one possible crossing over the canal running round the town and this was covered by tanks and self-propelled guns hidden in the factories.
As soon as it was dark B Squadron crossed and cleaned up the factory area, then drove into the town where they met A Squadron who had crossed with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at the south-eastern corner. Lieut. W. A. L. Reid of A Squadron killed twenty Germans with one shot as they were forming up, presumably to march away.
Eight German tanks and two self-propelled guns were captured during this night assault. No opposition was met, the enemy being taken completely by surprise.
24th April - The Regiment was ordered to prepare to cross the Po on rafts. There was considerable confusion as to who was providing these. The whole Ferrara area was finally cleaned up.
25th April - The Regiment moved to concentration areas for crossing and carried out reconnaissance. Plans changed so often that they cannot be recorded.
Rafts finally did arrive and C Squadron started to cross. There was no opposition.
26th April - By 1000 hours most of C Squadron was over. Two Troops of A Squadron got across but very heavy rain delayed operations.
27th April - C Squadron made a long detour over unblown bridges and arrived two thousand yards short of the River Adige by last light. Here they joined up with the 17th Indian Infantry Brigade. The remainder of the Regiment crossed the Po.
29th April - C Squadron caught a very large enemy column of guns, tanks and every sort and kind of vehicle trying to cross the Adige ; abandoned German equipment was everywhere along the river - even more than there had been along the Po and it was obvious to all that the end would not be long delayed.
And so on the 30th April, 1945, the North Irish Horse was ordered to "Stand Down" for the last time.
The Regiment took part in some of the hardest fighting of the Campaign. From the 1st until the 30th April only one officer - Lieut. D. L. Knight, B.E.M. - was slightlv wounded Several tanks were hit but not knocked out. This was due to the skill o! tank commanders.
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