THE FIRST BATTLES
14
June
Orvieto freed without fighting, thanks to an agreement between the German commander, Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Lersen, and the British, sponsored by Bishop Francesco Pieri. Major Richard Heseltine MC of 3 King's Own Hussars wrote on 10 October 2011 that he was
Orvieto freed without fighting, thanks to an agreement between the German commander, Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Lersen, and the British, sponsored by Bishop Francesco Pieri. Major Richard Heseltine MC of 3 King's Own Hussars wrote on 10 October 2011 that he was
15 June
The German garrison of Ficulle fell after a fierce battle: two British M4 Sherman tanks were in flames a hundred metres before the cemetery and would remain there for a long time, buried in a cornfield, before being recovered only several years later. Trooper Frank Farrand was killed in this action.
16 June
Montegabbione
5 Northamptons, supported by the Wiltshire Yeomanry, Divisional Artillery and 1 Kensington Regiment's 4.2-inch mortars, attacked Montegabbione, some ten miles from Lake Trasimeno's southern shore. Against stiff opposition the Northamptons pressed home their attack, which the divisional historian described as 'one of the best actions ever fought by the battalion'. When A company, which was leading, met heavy rifle fire, the company commander left one platoon behind to provide fire support while the other two were directed on the school and a large building to its right. Both objectives were taken although the victors were subjected to several hours of fierce fire from nearby buildings. C Company also fought its way into the town and S Company's commander directed fire from the Wiltshire Shermans on to buildings still occupied by the enemy. Unusually, there were no counter-attacks. The Germans pulled out during the night leaving the Northamptons in possession.
Monteleone
The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry made contact with the enemy north of Monteleone where a fierce action was fought in which four enemy anti-tank guns were knocked out for the loss of four tanks. In this action Sergeant Woodman was awarded the Military Medal. There was heavy shelling by the enemy just as 'A' Echelon was moving off and the Commanding Officer's caravan received a direct hit. Driver Chittock was killed and all Lieut. Colonel Lloyd's kit destroyed.
Montegabbione
5 Northamptons, supported by the Wiltshire Yeomanry, Divisional Artillery and 1 Kensington Regiment's 4.2-inch mortars, attacked Montegabbione, some ten miles from Lake Trasimeno's southern shore. Against stiff opposition the Northamptons pressed home their attack, which the divisional historian described as 'one of the best actions ever fought by the battalion'. When A company, which was leading, met heavy rifle fire, the company commander left one platoon behind to provide fire support while the other two were directed on the school and a large building to its right. Both objectives were taken although the victors were subjected to several hours of fierce fire from nearby buildings. C Company also fought its way into the town and S Company's commander directed fire from the Wiltshire Shermans on to buildings still occupied by the enemy. Unusually, there were no counter-attacks. The Germans pulled out during the night leaving the Northamptons in possession.
Monteleone
The Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry made contact with the enemy north of Monteleone where a fierce action was fought in which four enemy anti-tank guns were knocked out for the loss of four tanks. In this action Sergeant Woodman was awarded the Military Medal. There was heavy shelling by the enemy just as 'A' Echelon was moving off and the Commanding Officer's caravan received a direct hit. Driver Chittock was killed and all Lieut. Colonel Lloyd's kit destroyed.
17
June
The tanks of the Warwickshire Yeomanry advanced to Monteleone d'Orvieto and from there sent out patrols to Piegaro on the Città della Pieve -Perugia road which they found to be free of the enemy.
Città della Pieve
Patrols were sent out from the 1 East Surrey Regiment during the night and the area was deemed to be quiet. At 0415 hours B Company deployed for the attack but came under immediate small arms fire. An attempt to work round the town was met with further heavy fire and the company commander, Captain Alden, was killed by a sniper. (Alden had previously been captured by the Germans in Tunisia, but had been released when the Allies reached Tunis.) A Company then went forward with B Company and attacked the town which was occupied by their old adversaries, 1 German Parachute Division. The two leading companies reached the first few houses but were immediately pinned down. Two officers were killed and, when a third company, C Company, was committed to a flanking attack its commander Major Bird, was also soon killed. The Germans launched a counter-attack and the company was forced to retire. Confined to the outskirts of the town, the regiment had to endure a day of small arms fire, until relieved by the Buffs.
18 June (see below also for Tavernelle)
Città della Pieve
The attack was resumed with C Squadron Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry in the lead and half of A Squadron under Captain Bell attempting a right flanking movement. They were hampered by demolitions and progress was slow. There was heavy mortar fire and Lieutenant Wareham, the 'Rear Link' Officer, was wounded. During these operations the Yeomanry's casualties amounted to two soldiers killed, and one officer and eleven soldiers wounded. The dead included Lance Corporal Mount (Military Medal), killed while driving the medical truck, clearly marked on each side with a large Red Cross, into Città della Pieve.
19 June (see below also for Sant'Arcangelo and Villastrada)
True to form, the retreating enemy left snipers to harry and worry the British who were clearing the town.
The tanks of the Warwickshire Yeomanry advanced to Monteleone d'Orvieto and from there sent out patrols to Piegaro on the Città della Pieve -Perugia road which they found to be free of the enemy.
Città della Pieve
Patrols were sent out from the 1 East Surrey Regiment during the night and the area was deemed to be quiet. At 0415 hours B Company deployed for the attack but came under immediate small arms fire. An attempt to work round the town was met with further heavy fire and the company commander, Captain Alden, was killed by a sniper. (Alden had previously been captured by the Germans in Tunisia, but had been released when the Allies reached Tunis.) A Company then went forward with B Company and attacked the town which was occupied by their old adversaries, 1 German Parachute Division. The two leading companies reached the first few houses but were immediately pinned down. Two officers were killed and, when a third company, C Company, was committed to a flanking attack its commander Major Bird, was also soon killed. The Germans launched a counter-attack and the company was forced to retire. Confined to the outskirts of the town, the regiment had to endure a day of small arms fire, until relieved by the Buffs.
18 June (see below also for Tavernelle)
Città della Pieve
The attack was resumed with C Squadron Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry in the lead and half of A Squadron under Captain Bell attempting a right flanking movement. They were hampered by demolitions and progress was slow. There was heavy mortar fire and Lieutenant Wareham, the 'Rear Link' Officer, was wounded. During these operations the Yeomanry's casualties amounted to two soldiers killed, and one officer and eleven soldiers wounded. The dead included Lance Corporal Mount (Military Medal), killed while driving the medical truck, clearly marked on each side with a large Red Cross, into Città della Pieve.
19 June (see below also for Sant'Arcangelo and Villastrada)
True to form, the retreating enemy left snipers to harry and worry the British who were clearing the town.
THE TRASIMENE LINE
18 June
Tavernelle
The tanks of the Warwickshire Yeomanry accompanying 2 Lancashire Fusiliers advanced to Tavernelle and took the road towards Panicale. The tank in which Trooper James Compton and Sergeant Harry Hubbard were travelling was hit by a bazooka and the two men were killed.
At midday on 18 June the forward troops of 56 Recce arrived at the junction of the Monte Giove-Tavernelle/Perugia road. One troop travelled in a westerly direction to Tavernelle to meet up with 11 Brigade, who were under instructions to move up from the town and enter Panicale the following day. The leading troop of 56 Recce set out in the opposite direction and ran into opposition just before Palazzi. Civilians reported strong enemy positions north of the village and the leading car was hit by anti-tank gun fire, killing Trooper Joseph Cairns.The whole area was then very heavily shelled by enemy artillery and mortars, but they eventually broke through the enemy and continued towards Castello. The battles in this area continued until failing light made it impractical to proceed.
19 June
Sant'Arcangelo
The advance was to proceed along the track beyond Castello where the leading troop of 56 Recce had been halted the previous evening. At 0600 hours the order was given that A Company of the Faughs (Royal Irish Fusiliers) should proceed to the hamlet and their diary records that at 0830 hours C Company, plus a squadron of 56 Recce with a battery of self-propelled guns in support, were given the task of clearing the track as far as Lake Trasimeno. The Faughs’ own diary states that by 1500 hours C Company was astride the main lake road in area. At 1530 hours a patrol was sent to Sant’Arcangelo. A short clash took place in which Sergeant Bovaird was killed and Lance/Corporal Brown wounded.A prisoner was captured from 4 Parachute Regiment. Enzo Nichiotti, who was 17 at the time, witnessed this skirmish and has indicated that it took place in the area known as La Godiola.
Tavernelle
The tanks of the Warwickshire Yeomanry accompanying 2 Lancashire Fusiliers advanced to Tavernelle and took the road towards Panicale. The tank in which Trooper James Compton and Sergeant Harry Hubbard were travelling was hit by a bazooka and the two men were killed.
At midday on 18 June the forward troops of 56 Recce arrived at the junction of the Monte Giove-Tavernelle/Perugia road. One troop travelled in a westerly direction to Tavernelle to meet up with 11 Brigade, who were under instructions to move up from the town and enter Panicale the following day. The leading troop of 56 Recce set out in the opposite direction and ran into opposition just before Palazzi. Civilians reported strong enemy positions north of the village and the leading car was hit by anti-tank gun fire, killing Trooper Joseph Cairns.The whole area was then very heavily shelled by enemy artillery and mortars, but they eventually broke through the enemy and continued towards Castello. The battles in this area continued until failing light made it impractical to proceed.
19 June
Sant'Arcangelo
The advance was to proceed along the track beyond Castello where the leading troop of 56 Recce had been halted the previous evening. At 0600 hours the order was given that A Company of the Faughs (Royal Irish Fusiliers) should proceed to the hamlet and their diary records that at 0830 hours C Company, plus a squadron of 56 Recce with a battery of self-propelled guns in support, were given the task of clearing the track as far as Lake Trasimeno. The Faughs’ own diary states that by 1500 hours C Company was astride the main lake road in area. At 1530 hours a patrol was sent to Sant’Arcangelo. A short clash took place in which Sergeant Bovaird was killed and Lance/Corporal Brown wounded.A prisoner was captured from 4 Parachute Regiment. Enzo Nichiotti, who was 17 at the time, witnessed this skirmish and has indicated that it took place in the area known as La Godiola.
Villastrada
36 Brigade had come down out of the hills from Città della Pieve and met heavy opposition when they came up to Lake Chiusi. The evening of 19 June the Argylls had carried Villastrada, and pushing on further they got to Vaiano a mile east of Lake Chiusi. Here in the darkness they were heavily counter-attacked, and by the time the night was out the Argylls were driven from the place with heavy loss including, regrettably, a good many prisoners.
36 Brigade had come down out of the hills from Città della Pieve and met heavy opposition when they came up to Lake Chiusi. The evening of 19 June the Argylls had carried Villastrada, and pushing on further they got to Vaiano a mile east of Lake Chiusi. Here in the darkness they were heavily counter-attacked, and by the time the night was out the Argylls were driven from the place with heavy loss including, regrettably, a good many prisoners.
20
June
Vaiano
Brigadier James unleashed the Buffs against this key position - and the Buffs were savagely handled and sent back reeling. Two supporting tanks of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry were knocked out along the road.
Sanfatucchio
11 Brigade were thrown in on the right of 36, coming up to the Trasimene shore via Macchie, with a view to seizing the Fatucchio ridge. The East Surreys, the Lancashire Fusiliers and the Northamptons to their right, with tank support from the Warwickshire Yeomanry, attempted to carry the ridge. They ran into murderous opposition immediately and were repulsed by the German defenders of the village of Sanfatucchio.
Vaiano
Brigadier James unleashed the Buffs against this key position - and the Buffs were savagely handled and sent back reeling. Two supporting tanks of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry were knocked out along the road.
Sanfatucchio
11 Brigade were thrown in on the right of 36, coming up to the Trasimene shore via Macchie, with a view to seizing the Fatucchio ridge. The East Surreys, the Lancashire Fusiliers and the Northamptons to their right, with tank support from the Warwickshire Yeomanry, attempted to carry the ridge. They ran into murderous opposition immediately and were repulsed by the German defenders of the village of Sanfatucchio.
21 June
Sanfatucchio
The Lancashire Fusiliers were in a desperate state. They were pinned down so close to the village that when the London Irish Rifles took over the advance it was impossible for the gunners of 17 Field Regiment to put down an initial concentration of fire for fear of causing casualties among them - they were restricted to putting down smoke. E Company had been given the task of seizing buildings at the north-west corner of Sanfatucchio while F Company's objective was the higher ground beyond the town. Such outflanking moves kept the attack well clear of those surviving Lancashire Fusiliers in front of the village who could be relied upon to support the attacking Riflemen.
Zero hour was 0730 hours. Crossing the start line at the railway track, the men of E and F Companies and the Canadian tanks (11 Canadian Armoured Regiment, Ontario Regiment) came under machine gun and artillery fire. Neverless some of the Canadian tanks worked their way on to the ridge and by 0930 hours they were in position for the assault.
E Company blasted their way into the first block of buildings. House by house, the men fought their
way through the village against the most stubborn resistance. The
defenders were tenacious and prepared to fight to the death. Before
the position was taken many of E Company's men had been killed
or wounded: most of the German defenders died from the fire of the
tanks and of those taken prisoner hardly one was uninjured.
F Company also had a bitter and bloody battle in the cornfield with Germans all around them. To assist them, and their supporting tanks, the guns of 17 Field Regiment opened fire on the Felice Cemetery and the Pucciarelli ridge areas. All of a sudden, at 1300 hours German resistance in Sanfatucchio collapsed. The streets were full of dead and wounded from both sides and German soldiers were climbing out of the rubble and throwing their weapons into the street. There was a tremendous sense of relief among the men of E and F Companies, both of which were close to their limits.
F Company also had a bitter and bloody battle in the cornfield with Germans all around them. To assist them, and their supporting tanks, the guns of 17 Field Regiment opened fire on the Felice Cemetery and the Pucciarelli ridge areas. All of a sudden, at 1300 hours German resistance in Sanfatucchio collapsed. The streets were full of dead and wounded from both sides and German soldiers were climbing out of the rubble and throwing their weapons into the street. There was a tremendous sense of relief among the men of E and F Companies, both of which were close to their limits.
.It
was then the turn of the other two rifle companies to move up. H
Company was ordered to move through the village and attack the
cemetery and crossroads on the next rise, some eight hundred yards
beyond the town to the north. G Company was to sweep up behind H
Company as the area around the village was 'still crawling with
German machine guns'. H Company went into the attack at 1430 hours with
the support of the remnants of a troop of Canadian
tanks (11 Canadian Armoured Regiment, Ontario Regiment). Eventually the church of San Felice was demolished by the tanks at point
blank range. As soon as the church fell the cemetery became more
vulnerable and the survivors of H Company were able to take it and
use its wall for protection. The cemetery was firm by 1600 hours at
which time F Company was sent in the seize the crossroads to the
north and E Company was ordered to try to gain a foothold on the
Pucciarelli ridge.
Another two hours of fighting in the cornfields and orchards ended with F Company taking the crossroads. Losses had again been severe; one of those to fall was Lieutenant George Dunsheath, killed at the head of his platoon as he led it 'in splendid impetuous valour' in a frontal attack on several German machine guns. Having reached the ridge which was its objective E Company was still faced by a determined enemy arrayed in a semi-circle around it, and only forty of E Company were left..
Another two hours of fighting in the cornfields and orchards ended with F Company taking the crossroads. Losses had again been severe; one of those to fall was Lieutenant George Dunsheath, killed at the head of his platoon as he led it 'in splendid impetuous valour' in a frontal attack on several German machine guns. Having reached the ridge which was its objective E Company was still faced by a determined enemy arrayed in a semi-circle around it, and only forty of E Company were left..
At
about 1800 hours on the following day F Company captured the farm at
Casa Montanaio
21 June
Pucciarelli
As well as keeping positions on the Pucciarelli flank busy in the initial phase of the attack the anti-tank platoon's guns had performed superbly. Under intermittent machine-gun fire they had gone into action over open sights against the Germans in Pucciarelli just after zero hour and had kept those particular Germans out of the battle against E and F Companies.
1645 hours. The pressure was to be taken off the Rifles by the Inniskillings. A squadron of 11 Canadian Armoured Regiment (Ontario) was assigned to the Skins. Co-operation between the tanks and the Inniskillings was excellent as was the co-operation of the guns of 17th Field Regiment. By 2000 hours the companies were on their objectives and trying to consolidate their new positions. At 2300 hours an enemy patrol attempted to infiltrate Pucciarelli village but was driven off. Among the casualties suffered by the Inniskillings that night were nine dead, including Lieutenants C.J. Horgan and R.R.B. Roche, and eighteen wounded.
Pucciarelli
As well as keeping positions on the Pucciarelli flank busy in the initial phase of the attack the anti-tank platoon's guns had performed superbly. Under intermittent machine-gun fire they had gone into action over open sights against the Germans in Pucciarelli just after zero hour and had kept those particular Germans out of the battle against E and F Companies.
1645 hours. The pressure was to be taken off the Rifles by the Inniskillings. A squadron of 11 Canadian Armoured Regiment (Ontario) was assigned to the Skins. Co-operation between the tanks and the Inniskillings was excellent as was the co-operation of the guns of 17th Field Regiment. By 2000 hours the companies were on their objectives and trying to consolidate their new positions. At 2300 hours an enemy patrol attempted to infiltrate Pucciarelli village but was driven off. Among the casualties suffered by the Inniskillings that night were nine dead, including Lieutenants C.J. Horgan and R.R.B. Roche, and eighteen wounded.
22
June
Pucciarelli
At about 0600 hours a counter-attack was launched against the Inniskilling's positions. A company of infantry supported by at least one self-propelled gun as well as artillery and mortars came at Pucciarelli through the orchards. In the half-light of dawn the infantry were able to get into some of the buildings. Confusion reigned. The Kensingtons found themselves centre-stage in a close-quarter battle, hardly the ideal situation for their weapons (machine guns and mortars).
At 0845 hours the Rifles made an effort to clear the Germans from these positions, for while this situation continued both Irish battalions were insecure and unable to move forward at all. For this attack only one platoon from G Company - the only company with any strength left - could be mustered, with three tanks from 11 Canadian Armoured Regiment. One of the Shermans (tanks) had fallen victim to an 88's shell.
By 1100 hours the two battalions had an united front but the Inniskillings were still working their way through their section of the village, winkling out its stubborn defenders. .
23 June
Both battalions were kept busy through the day by German counter-attacks. In preparation for the attack on the following morning on the hamlets of Pescia and Ranciano, just south of the little Pescia River, the Faughs (Royal Irish Fusiliers) moved up to a forming-up point in the Rifles' area.
24 June
At 0530 hours next morning the attack began. Leading the Faughs' advance were B and C Companies with the respective objectives of Ranciano and Pescia. The Faughs suffered about forty casualties and had taken prisoner over eighty Germans. There had been a last-ditch fight for Ranciano.
Pucciarelli
At about 0600 hours a counter-attack was launched against the Inniskilling's positions. A company of infantry supported by at least one self-propelled gun as well as artillery and mortars came at Pucciarelli through the orchards. In the half-light of dawn the infantry were able to get into some of the buildings. Confusion reigned. The Kensingtons found themselves centre-stage in a close-quarter battle, hardly the ideal situation for their weapons (machine guns and mortars).
At 0845 hours the Rifles made an effort to clear the Germans from these positions, for while this situation continued both Irish battalions were insecure and unable to move forward at all. For this attack only one platoon from G Company - the only company with any strength left - could be mustered, with three tanks from 11 Canadian Armoured Regiment. One of the Shermans (tanks) had fallen victim to an 88's shell.
By 1100 hours the two battalions had an united front but the Inniskillings were still working their way through their section of the village, winkling out its stubborn defenders. .
23 June
Both battalions were kept busy through the day by German counter-attacks. In preparation for the attack on the following morning on the hamlets of Pescia and Ranciano, just south of the little Pescia River, the Faughs (Royal Irish Fusiliers) moved up to a forming-up point in the Rifles' area.
24 June
At 0530 hours next morning the attack began. Leading the Faughs' advance were B and C Companies with the respective objectives of Ranciano and Pescia. The Faughs suffered about forty casualties and had taken prisoner over eighty Germans. There had been a last-ditch fight for Ranciano.
24
June (continued)
On the Irish Brigade's right 11 Brigade were to move along the west shore of Lake Trasimeno. The Northamptons had been advancing with the Faughs acting as right flank protection. They now sent D Company up to join in the battle. They made for the little River Pescia.
36 Brigade now joined in the action to make the crossing. The Buffs had been sheltering in their concentration area behind the Irish Brigade since early morning, waiting to come forward and take up the advance. They had been shelled continually and had many casualties, particularly in companies Y and D. In a terrific thunderstorm (Major) Van Ammel led the Buffs across the Pescia towards a group of houses where the enemy was located. The Royal West Kents now moved up to the river and covered the site whilst the sappers built a bridge for the tanks.
On the Irish Brigade's right 11 Brigade were to move along the west shore of Lake Trasimeno. The Northamptons had been advancing with the Faughs acting as right flank protection. They now sent D Company up to join in the battle. They made for the little River Pescia.
36 Brigade now joined in the action to make the crossing. The Buffs had been sheltering in their concentration area behind the Irish Brigade since early morning, waiting to come forward and take up the advance. They had been shelled continually and had many casualties, particularly in companies Y and D. In a terrific thunderstorm (Major) Van Ammel led the Buffs across the Pescia towards a group of houses where the enemy was located. The Royal West Kents now moved up to the river and covered the site whilst the sappers built a bridge for the tanks.
25
June
The Kents now led the attack. At seven the next morning they crossed the Bailey Bridge. The crossing was hazardous and the shelling was amongst the heaviest the the Division had experienced. The ground they advanced over was open farmland, dotted with isolated farmhouses each containing an enemy strong point; shellfire was intense. The Royal West Kents fought their way across the opened ground, capturing each farmhouse in turn. An hour later (at 0800 hours) the Argylls and Northamptons followed. The many casualties that day included Major Neil Webster, commanding B Company of the Argylls. The Argylls had two killed that day and fourteen wounded. It was a grim day for the Northamptons too. After crossing the Pescia they occupied a house where they were shelled and mortared all day and all night and had to be withdrawn the following day.
The Kents now led the attack. At seven the next morning they crossed the Bailey Bridge. The crossing was hazardous and the shelling was amongst the heaviest the the Division had experienced. The ground they advanced over was open farmland, dotted with isolated farmhouses each containing an enemy strong point; shellfire was intense. The Royal West Kents fought their way across the opened ground, capturing each farmhouse in turn. An hour later (at 0800 hours) the Argylls and Northamptons followed. The many casualties that day included Major Neil Webster, commanding B Company of the Argylls. The Argylls had two killed that day and fourteen wounded. It was a grim day for the Northamptons too. After crossing the Pescia they occupied a house where they were shelled and mortared all day and all night and had to be withdrawn the following day.
26
June
The Argylls suffered nine casualties from shelling. Just behind them and on the right the Royal West Kents were particularly heavily shelled and mortared. During that day 36 Brigade's commander, Brigadier James, came up to visit the Royal West Kents and was killed by a shell.
27 June
56 Recce relieved the two right hand companies of the battle-scarred Royal West Kents, and stopped the gap, as infantry spread out in various shells of farm houses and stables, to be ready in the event of a counter-attack.
28 June
A patrol from B Squadron 56 Recce was ordered forward to capture a house just short of Castiglione del Lago. They had only just lifted a few key mines from the minefield surrounding the house when they were fired on, but the troop which followed them found that in the meantime the enemy had evacuated the house.
29 June
B Squadron 56 Recce found the town clear. A Squadron, now on wheels, moved forward, by-passing the town, and continued the journey north. The next village, Piana, had been evacuated by the Germans. Four miles beyond it they found themselves in the middle of a German company area. The tanks of the Warwickshire Yeomanry moved up to the rescue.
The Argylls suffered nine casualties from shelling. Just behind them and on the right the Royal West Kents were particularly heavily shelled and mortared. During that day 36 Brigade's commander, Brigadier James, came up to visit the Royal West Kents and was killed by a shell.
27 June
56 Recce relieved the two right hand companies of the battle-scarred Royal West Kents, and stopped the gap, as infantry spread out in various shells of farm houses and stables, to be ready in the event of a counter-attack.
28 June
A patrol from B Squadron 56 Recce was ordered forward to capture a house just short of Castiglione del Lago. They had only just lifted a few key mines from the minefield surrounding the house when they were fired on, but the troop which followed them found that in the meantime the enemy had evacuated the house.
29 June
B Squadron 56 Recce found the town clear. A Squadron, now on wheels, moved forward, by-passing the town, and continued the journey north. The next village, Piana, had been evacuated by the Germans. Four miles beyond it they found themselves in the middle of a German company area. The tanks of the Warwickshire Yeomanry moved up to the rescue.
30
June
The Argylls were in the village of Piana mopping up the sniper posts. The shelling and mortaring were slackening now, and the East Surreys, ahead of 36 Brigade, were up to the River Spina before they made contact with the enemy. The Northamptons had been moved forward to Piana. From there they attacked, after a heavy artillery concentration, and by 0300 hours they reported the area ahead to be clear of the enemy.
1 July
The Northamptons moved forward, supported by a squadron of the Wiltshire Yeomanry, and occupied farms I Gaggi and Podere I Monelli without opposition, sending out patrols as far as the River Spina.
2 July
During the night B Squadron 56 Recce moved up to relieve A Squadron and throughout the early hours of the morning continued to report many demolitions north of the lake. They also indicated that shelling had decreased, upon which they were ordered to send patrols forward to establish if the enemy were still in the area of the bridge over the River Spina.
The Argylls were in the village of Piana mopping up the sniper posts. The shelling and mortaring were slackening now, and the East Surreys, ahead of 36 Brigade, were up to the River Spina before they made contact with the enemy. The Northamptons had been moved forward to Piana. From there they attacked, after a heavy artillery concentration, and by 0300 hours they reported the area ahead to be clear of the enemy.
1 July
The Northamptons moved forward, supported by a squadron of the Wiltshire Yeomanry, and occupied farms I Gaggi and Podere I Monelli without opposition, sending out patrols as far as the River Spina.
2 July
During the night B Squadron 56 Recce moved up to relieve A Squadron and throughout the early hours of the morning continued to report many demolitions north of the lake. They also indicated that shelling had decreased, upon which they were ordered to send patrols forward to establish if the enemy were still in the area of the bridge over the River Spina.
Finding their way clear they continued
to advance during the day in spite of numerous demolitions and during
the afternoon occupied Riccio. The advance continued north through
Ossaia where the leading troop came under accurate machine gun and
shellfire. Trooper Stanley Kemp was killed during this action.