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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Dodsley GW Pte B78726 KIA 441024Pickering A/Sgt B79272 KIA 441024Powell WR Pte B79613 died of wounds 441024Martin AL Pte B44491 died of wounds 44102425 Oct 44Another quiet day. The CO, Lt-Col RC Clark, visited the bridging site in themorning. The CBH passed through at first light. The plan changed and the 11 CanadianInfantry Brigade was ordered to secure bridgehead River Beveno. A and D Companiesmoved forward to lateral road. Major J Bonville-Humphreys set up relay station at MR58174 (Sheet 100 SW 1/25,000). During the night about 200 Partisans arrived at A andD Companies. They were organised into bands and were armed with German weapons.This was their first indication that there was an active Partisan movement. An ItalianLiaison Officer was secured from 11 Canadian Infantry Brigade and Major Hickling tookthem under command and organised their patrol activities. Much valuable informationabout the country ahead was obtained.Weather: Cloudy - Showers.26 Oct 44Since there was no shelling, it was believed the enemy had pushed well back.Due to the continuous heavy rains the Regiment’s bridge across the Savio wascompletely washed out and the boats and rafting equipment washed away. Fortunatelythe Companies had 24 hours reserve rations, so the situation was not acute. Waterstarted going down about 1430 hrs. Major LHC Payne crossed the river during themorning and could not get back. By 1800 hrs we again had line communications whitthe Companies. Lt. JJ Asselstine, Signals Officer, with Sgt. Manion and Cpl Munn wentdown to the bridge site and shot a line across via PIAT bomb. On the third attempt theywere successful and lines were quickly dragged across for both the Regiment andArtillery Rep.Weather: Heavy Rains.27 Oct 44Another quiet day. The men were comfortable in forward positions and billeted inhouses. Major LHC Payne returned from across the river by ferry which had been set upto get rations across. Extensive patrolling was carried out by the Partisans who wereunder the command of Major Hickling. All Companies were getting their rum rationwhich touched up nicely the diet of chicken and turkey.Weather: Cloudy and Cold.28 Oct 44This morning a standing patrol from D Company under Cpl. McGowan with 10Partisans under command proceeded to San Pietro in Vineulo MR 522254 (Sheet 100c1/50,000). The patrol consisted of four men from each Platoon, all volunteers, and8
contained a PIAT Section of three PIATs under L/Cpl. Nutley. The patrol had barelytaken up position outside the town when a troop of armoured cars appeared. When theleading car was about 20 feet away, Pte McLeod of 18 Platoon fired and stopped thearmoured car cold the other two quickly retreated. An Officer in the car was killed andtwo Other Ranks taken prisoner. The Regiment’s bag for the day was 8 PWs anddeserters.The Porter Force took over this sector at 1200 hrs. During the night a Partisanarrived who had journey to Venice. He was an officer in the Partisan Organisation andhad information and diagrams of the Po defences. He was fed and hustled back toBrigade and on to Division.Weather: Cloudy - Cool.29 Oct 44Harbour Masters would be on one hour’s notice at 0500 hrs 30 October.Brigadier IS Johnston and the BM, Major JH Gowan were guests at dinner.The bridge at MR 589142 (sheet 100, 1/25,000) was open to traffic at 1800 hrseasing the communication with the Companies.Weather: Cloudy - Mild.30 Oct 44Companies moved back to billets on the east bank of River Savio during themorning by march route and were in position by 1100 hrs. Capt. Lancaster had guidesat the bridge to guide the Companies to their new locations. The Companies were inbillets and comfortable. The CO invited the Company Commanders to dinner. Lt-Col. HAngle, Commanding the BCDs, visited the CO in the morning.Weather: Mild.31 Oct 44Still nothing in on a move to a rest area, so the Companies settled themselves ascomfortably as possible in available billets and went ahead with general cleaning up.The Medical Officer, Capt. WS (Bill) Spafford (RCAMC), was evacuated tohospital during the morning. A replacement was expected from 24th Field Ambulance.The sun was quite warm and the roads while passable where quite muddy.Weather: Fair - Warm.9
Page 1 and 2: THE IRISH REGIMENT OF CANADA WAR DI
Page 3 and 4: Heavy rains continued all day accom
Page 5 and 6: to polish up and visit Riccione. Ma
Page 7: Other Ranks were casualties. Sgt. A

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

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?