1 THE IRISH REGIMENT OF CANADA WAR DIARY OCTOBER ...

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Major J Bonville-Humphreys, Capt. Whyte and Capt. Mitchell left on three daysleave. Major Payne assumed Command of the Regiment.Major GCA Macartney returned from hospital and Lt. Gordon Maybee, a formerSergeant in the Regiment, arrived as a reinforcement officer.Weather: Fair and Cool.20 Oct 44General training and firing of all weapons took place. Firing was conducted onthe beach at Riccione, with targets for 3” Mortars and 6 Pounders being placed 1500yards out into the Adriatic.Weather: Fair and Warm.21 Oct 44Major LHC Payne attended Brigadier IS Johnston’s Orders Group at 1330 hrs.On his return, he had a Company Commanders Orders Group and issued orders for themove back into the line. 11 Canadian Infantry Brigade was to take over from 2nd NewZealand Division in a static role.Weather: Showers.22 Oct 44The Regiment moved from their billets in the outskirts of Riccione at MR 815923(Sheet 101).At approximately 0800 hrs the convoy moved across the start line. The DP asreached at 1300 hrs from which the troops marched into their Company locations torelieve the 22 NZ Battalion (Motor). The forward positions located on the east bank ofRiver Savio. TAC HQ situated at MR 615163 (Sheet 100). Change-over completeduneventfully by 1700 hrs.The A/OC, Major LHC Payne, 2 i/c of the Battalion, called an Orders Group assoon as change-over was completed. TAC HQ was visited by Brigadier IS Johnston.Track vehicles were bridged and moved to the new area by track route. Strongstanding patrols sent out by C and D Companies to prevent possible enemy filtrationand B Company contacted 27 Lancers and BCDs on the Regiment’s right flank. ACompany was in reserve.Weather: Fair and Warm.SAVIO RIVER23 Oct 44The CO, Lt-Col RC Clark, visited TAC HQ at 1200 hrs. Major J Bonville-Humphreys in his new capacity as Blitzer, visited all Companies In the morning.Extensive patrolling was carried out as the Battalion was in a holding role.Shelling was sporadic, except for a stonk on the forward platoon of D Company. Lt. DonLedgerwood took a fighting patrol out to dominate the east bank of River Savio. Thepatrol came under fire from rifle grenades and light mortars, and Lt. Ledgerwood and 46
Other Ranks were casualties. Sgt. AC Cullaton (MM) and Cpl. Spear of the scoutplatoon swam the River Savio, worked their way through a minefield and entered thetown of Mensa, reporting back that it was clear but that assault boats would benecessary for an infantry crossing.Weather: Cloudy and Cool.WoundedLt. DA Ledgerwood shrapnel right shoulder and left loin 441023Douglas RF Sgt B43049 shrapnel left thigh 441023Coleman WW Pte B142650 shrapnel left forearm and right shoulder 441023Smith GR Pte F40219shrapnel abdominal penetrating front chest and rightforearm (serious) 441023Grundy JJ Pte A43059 shrapnel left lower thigh 441023Miller HL Pte B105032 shrapnel left scapular rec 441023Harding SE Pte B134443 shrapnel back 441023SAVIO RIVER24 Oct 44The CO, Lt-Col RC Clark, arrived at TAC HQ to take over command. Brigadier ISJohnston visited us at 1100 hrs to give the final details of the new plan. Assault boatsand rafting equipment arrived and at 1300 hrs C Company under Capt. Mitchell crossedthe river and took up position beyond Mensa, followed by Capt. Herb Hendrie. When Band C Companies were firm, D Company under Major N Hickling passed through andby 1800 hrs, the Regiment had tidy bridgehead, closely supported by A Company underMajor GCA Macartney and C Squadron of 8 New Brunswick Hussars who lined thelateral road on the east bank of the river.TAC HQ moved to its new location at MR 605178 (sheet 100, 1/50,000) at 1400hrs. The CO visited the bridging site at MR 593174. The Anti-tank guns were ferriedacross the river by Class V rafts. The guns had to be manhandled from the beach andunfortunately one ran over a German box mine (MR 143) resulting in three killed, twodied of wounds, and eight wounded, mostly from the Anti-tank Platoon. The PioneerPlatoon under Lt. Emmet Lyons did a grand job throughout, unfortunately the gunslipped off the road onto the verges which had not been swept.A/Cpl Kenneth Ernest Kitching B107027 (L/Cpl) was recommended for theMilitary Medal. During the night of October 24 th , he was a member of an importantreconnaissance patrol near the Savio River at Mensa. This recce was vital to thecrossing of the river by the Brigade and an Engineer officer was standing by to goforward and reconnoitre the river. Upon nearing the objective the patrol ran into aminefield and heavy mortar fire, which caused six casualties, including the officer. A/CplKitching attended the wounded and safely removed them to the platoon area. Knowingthe crossing information was important, he volunteered to take out another patrol whichwas successful.Weather: Cloudy - Cool.CasualtiesMarsolais D Pte C102406 KIA 4410247
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1 THE IRISH REGIMENT OF CANADA WAR DIARY OCTOBER ...

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