8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
1/65
M FM U
2 0 0 M 5 ~ 4 0 (5185)
(H.Q.
1772-39-1658)
SE RET
W R
DI RY
OF
i.
l
..........
.. f t E
Q. :R
T H.
....................
.
. ..
R
1.S.
S.
......... ..
O ..F B
N.
.. l P .8. ...................Jika..J ..J..
o
,3 7. .
( { , _ ~ A
APPENDICES .... O
.. .. .... ..
..... .
FROM
...........
J J ; ; . ~ ... .
.
. . ..
.............. TO
...
............
:
. ..
.t .. . 2 . ~ .... . .. . . ... .
'l.
_ _. , 1:
( .
~ : - '
) )_,
VOLUME .................
f 0 ? ~ , 0
- l
n
~
91 thQ1
~ ~
TRIPLICATE
(Strike out where not applicable)
.
;
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
2/65
W R DI RY
M.F.M.
11
40/P & S/37 (9/ 42
R
Instructions regarding preparation
o
War Di J'ies (wh ich will be
kept
rom first
day o
mobilization, creation
or
embodi
ment), are contained
in F.S.
Regs. Vol. 1.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
.
-
Original, duplicate d 'tr ip.:tca
t:
to be
orwarded to
0.
i c 2nd Echel
on
for disposal.
\ 'l'itle
pages
will
be prepared.
Erase heading
not
required)
Place
F
Date Hour
In farmat ion
063
8
Lt
Col
J .D. loriD
atten.ed
a
~ c m f ' e r e n : e a t
B4e
B.Q.,
hia
r e ~ U 1 1 1
oalled
o-
Group
or 1000
bra.
1 0 o Group a t which
the
C. o. ou l ine-4
the
known enem.J 41apoa1 t iona al1ead
o
ua,
and t;1at
the intent ion
was for t l ~ Bn to move :onrard to a
aondentration
area
and
be prepared to take over
pos1t1ona
now
ooaup1ec1
'by the 78th
DiYI
.a.v., .
move,
time of
IIU'8hall1n& 1400 hra Convo7
to
arose the
r ive r
S8Jl8l"O during the
Di&ht.
Supper ratione
to be
carr ied b7 the
troops.
Raining, and area turned in to aea
o f
au4. Mullh a i r aativi'Q" oYer the area
during the Ml'll iD&e
o
Group,
a t w b i ~ l the
C
0 .
atated there was a w a l
1
change 1n
plall8.
Time fd
marehall ing now wou1d
be 154
5hra,
l lOVe
of f
16JO
bra .
1 Em'buaae- _and _ , . ~ 4 orr 16JO bra , et&ll ~ i n . and a cold R.E. wind
i
lalcnring,
and
a ve r7 1lc.af'ortab1e
~ o l d
wet r ide ~ o U o w e 4 .
2j4
5
Dewaaed;
great. oata loaded
on
to Q.M.
truak8
and
the Bn
1'ormed
up
or
the
move
aanea the Rlv-.R S A l ~ G R O to , the B4e -mbl.; ; area.
2 00 0 Skiea ,_:lear
and
a
tara ahining,
a8 the
Bn
moYed of, the 13. r
.:h being a welCOJae
Dec
r e leU a f te r
beinB . l'aaped 1n
~ O V a
for over 6 bra . The BD transport - l e f t
behind
and the
troopa
aroaae4
the r 1 n r
011 :foot bridgea ere;.:te4
b7
the Eacint:era.
Dur1Dg
the croaa Ds paaaed
element
o the
78Ul
Dtv1 p i n g de.1
the
lm . for a
r ea t
per1e4
1
and m111Q1
.h"ulaouroua
aDd
~ o c u l a r
reDial"ka were band1ed b a ~ and ~ o r t h
between
the troopa aa we J e4 .
0245
Arr1Yed
i l l
a a a e ~ ~ ' b l 7
area' $Pel were
met
by
gu14ea, and af ter
41&giDJr al.1t
t renchea
Ht t l e d down
t U l
dNli&bt
06 0
Reveille,
P Eche l
acwecl
up 1nt the
liD
.-rea, ratione
iaaued
and
meala
prepared.
Siz en pl.llllea tl.ew over
and t roppe4 a couple
outaide
~ .
BD area.
Remarks, references
to
Appendices
and
initials
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
3/65
W R DI RY
M.F.M. ll
o;P
& s;a7
(9/42)
R
Instructions
regarding
preparation
of
War Dii'U'ies
(which
will
be
kept from first
day
of mobilization,
creation or embodi
ment),
are contained
in F .S.
Regs.
Vol. 1.
Title pages will
be prepared
.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original, duplicate a.nd ~ i p h ~ t e to be
forwarded to 0. i/ c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
/
Erase heading
not
required)
Place Date Hour
ID the 1 1( 2 0930
I taq
Deo
43
1115
15
J OoJO
Dec
J 0900
10 0
11
400
l G 5
Summary
of
Events
and
Information
~ t e r
at tending
a .::onferen ::e
a t
B4e u.Q. 'Ule c.o. Lt
Col
J.D.
o r in
ca l led an
o-
Group
a t
which
he
ata'\84 the
BD
cm 10
ldna
not1ae
to
JIIO'Ve.
A
a
C
003a
an.S
Adm1D1avat1on ~ f
t roa
B.H.Q. would go f - - . r d u
far
u poaeible r iding
on
our IIUpport group veh1clea. B - D Co
1
and balan:Je fd B.H.Q.
to
a r c h .
The 1nten 1onwaa
for
the Brl
to take
up defenain poai t iona, tl"J.e other aide of the
town of
Rocca,
1D BUpport of
the
London Ir18h
Bn
who were
to ad'Yallae
a&aJ.nat
.
enttll\Y
poaitiona
au.pported by 2 Squadron of trmka.
f.roopa
r id ing
moved
of f
followed by the a a r ~ h i n g personnel. T w o ~ j ~ N.W.
of
'OSSACESIA debuaae4,
and
~ t e r a ha l t of J
bra the 1m mo.edoff to aheet
47 t)
and
were ae t
by
an advance
party
who guided Ooya to
' their reepective
are
Cow 4ug 1D, 1D defena1ve poa1t1GD.
Rations were 1aaued and blanke"ta d r a a .
Slight enemy ehell ing J t
forw&Nr
the Bn area 1D
the
e'ftning. Patrol wr e aent out durin& tl1e night ,
m d
Lieut.
f .
f;uon, led1Dg one pa t ro l met with an . . ident a n ~ fra:::tured hie
a n i .
S t a n 4 - T c ~
for
l
hour. All. quiet pa ' trola
out
during the
n18ht rt:pol"ted
no conta; t
w1 t l l
the eneJV.
Brig. B. f.
Bof'tae1ater, r ta1ted tho
o.o., Lt Col J.D. 'or in and out l ined
future
plana.
P.P.C.L.I . paeaed throU&h the BD area to take up
poait1ona
to the
NORtH
of. oure.
S.P .
Guns
and
Art:,
aoved
1n
and
around
the area .
Lt Col J .D.
J'orin ;}alled an
o-
Group
a t
which
he
e ta ed
the
.Bn w o u l ~
not move
unt i l the mornin8
1
when would lMt
em
i h r notice to l lO f t a t
o8JO
hra. All
21/ca
of
Coya under the oommanc of
teJor
s.w. 'I IMaon to
go 011
an
advance party
to ft.. .:e an area for the Bn around tlte
own of
s.
VITO
Sheet 1 4 7 ~ 1 3 6 1 0 .
Stantl-toQ ' for
1
hour.
Local par'tol.a were l a id
Gil
and a patrol of 2 men f'raA
t i.8
Scout aect1on
to
leave
a t
2 ) ~
hre to
rea::e
the
area
of
350046
Sheet
147
(lV).
All
quiet
during
the
night .
Remarks,
references
to
Appendices and
initials
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
4/65
WAR DIARY
M .F M
40/ P
S/87
(9/.2)
R
Instructions
regarding
preparation of
War Diaries (which will be kept from first
day of mobilization, creation
or
embodi
ment),
are contained in
F .S. Regs. Vol. 1.
'J Title pages will be prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Original,
duplicate
and
t r i p l i ~ t e
to be
forwarded
to 0. i / c
2nd Echelon
for disposal.
/
Place
lD the ~ 1 e l 4
I taly
Date Hour
4 0600
Dec
43
0800
0900
1000
1700
'1
2000
2200
Erase heading
not
required)
Summary of Events and
Information
Stazul-WO,.
Breald"e.at
prepared and
blanke ts
and pa,;..:ka
loaded
on to
Vehi.:lea
and
the
Do
on
i
bra
n o t i ~ e
to
moYe.
d v a n ~ e
party
l e t t
to
reoce
n ~
area.
'fwo man
patrol from the
Scout Pl .
reported t ha t
tile., had re..;;e4
area aent
to and
found
no
aign
of t:-1e en. . . , .
Bn moved
of i 1n
order
of
mar;ha A - 0 -
B.H.Q.
- D -
B,
and arr ived 1n
the new
area Sq 3608 Sheet 147 (J.V)
a t 1200 hra.
F Eohelon moved into
the
area
and
ra t ione were
drawn_
and meals prepared.
The o.o.
Lt
Col
J.D.
lorin a t t ~ n d e d a o o n t e r e n ~ e a t
Bde
H.Q.
o-
Group a'\ which
the c.o. with
the
aid
of
a1r1al
photograph out l ined the
Bn
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
plan of aa t ion.
The
P.P.C.L. I . would
advance
ane
attaok tile
town of s.
The Seai 'crtha
to
_protect
the i r
l e ~ t 1lank, by advan.:ine and aeouring high
sround
D ot U ~ O R R E
5q
3211
Sheet
11 f .
The Bn
to advance
1n
order t
m r>Jh
D - o - B.Il.Q. - A -
B. he
c.oa and
I.Oa Jeep and 22
ae t
n : t ~ i o l e
u
fol low i
poss ible . Bn to be on
1
h o ~ not io 'to
move.
Change
1n
plana, aa
rom r e l i ab le information i1i was aa.::ertained a
fr;:;eh
eneDQ'
DiY had been a o n ~ J e n t r a t e d
1n tlle
area
that t ~ ~ e Bn wa8
aup._ oaed
to
O-J
~ u p y . The new
ple.DI he Seafortha to adYan.: e and ~ o J i a o l i d a t e 1n area of
Sq
3309
Sheet
/ 4 7 ~
The
P.P.C.L.I.,
to take
~ r igh t fiankiDg poe1tiona M d
t;;e; Edmn
Regt
l e f t
flanking poait iona. Move off
a t
2200 bra
1D the
order of
marohl C - A -
BBQ
B - D, ~ Q a d 22 Set
Ve:iicl.e
to be
brought
up by t l le I .O.
Capt
K s 'wrdoch t 22JO
~
~ t u
Bn.
move."
off and
advan
;e4
w1
thout ina,dent
~ ' I ' H - ' 1 1 -
the area
o:.:\}upied
b:J 'the
-
INNISXI:r.LJ;NC;Rep ::ame
under
a
harraaing f i r e l a id (tOWD b ~ , .
the-
eDft\7 1n
the
1mm1d1ate
r to in i ty .
Coya were
dispersed
a n ~
a f te r
d1g.:..;1ng
.a l i t
t r t ~ n : : h e a
aet t led
dCMm for
a night of
harraaing f i r e on the area.
.
:
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
5/65
W R DI RY
M.F.M.
11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
R
Instructions regarding
preparation
of
\Var Die.ries (which will be kept from first
day of mobilization, creation or embodi-
ment), are contained in F.S. Regs. Vol.
1.
Title pages will
be
prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original, duplicate and triplicate
to be
forwarded to
0.
i/ c 2 n ~ Echelon for disposal.
/
Place
In the Field
ITALY
Date
Hour
060U
Stand
to-
own art7.
Erase heading not required)
Summary of Events
and
Information
~ n e m J
lwavllJ
ahelled :Ule .&l
area
and were oounter ahelled O\U'
2
Off1cera
ln B
Coy were w o ~ d e o ~ 1 ~ u t Rerr l t t and Llea t . L ~ o k l e
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
D9 1 AL ea t111
be1ug
h.eavlly
ahellttd. Thu Br1gadtl Commander, Br1gad14U B.M. H o Z f m ~ 1 a t t r
na l t e d
tha
~ . u . Lt . -ool . J.D. 1',or1n
a.a.d
o a ~ l 1 n e d lhe
next move
of the Bn,
whloh woald
be
thf i c r o a u d ~
of
the M O h ~ O
r1Yer
alld
a t tack
upon
the town
ot
SAN :L.:.J...NAhllO.
lOVO T h ~
c.
o.
oalled for
an u
Group
wh1oh he
ou.tl1ned
the plana for
the
Bat t llon a move. B Company to move
on
the1r own
and
01'0 aa tm MO ..RO.
A and
c oompa.n1ea and
an4 Company
to oro a a
the r1 ver at
the
.Fo.rd i:,;at o
B oompanya orosaing. Mules
to
oe ~ t 1 1 1 a e d to paok aQppllea
ana
ammQn1t1on.
B oompan7 to a ta r t mc\fing a t 2200
hoP.ra,
and A company
to
t a r t a t ~ 2 1 0 hra.
he I . o.
Capt. L s.
~ . : u . r d u o k to recce the route aero
ila cow.try
to r A.,
c, UQ
and
D
OOJ
18
set
oommunication
to
be
Qaed.
CJ
i f h ~
1 .0 . Capt. K.
::> MQxdo
ok
rciipori;ed tha t he
had reooed tm route for the
D.lght
a
move.
Meals
were
p r e p a r ~ d and praparatlona
made for the move.
22 t B Company reported that
t h ~ y
Wdra
.mo'91D.S of t
14 the d1
Notion
the
r iver .
ll i A Company :novud t t ol.1.0W6d b.J, C CoJ, B. B,. Q. and
j
Coy.
B. H. Q. loat oomrnwl1oat1ona w1 th """ Compaa.y.
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
6/65
W R
DI RY
.M.P.:M.
11
40/P S/87 (9/42)
R
Instructions
regarding
preparation of
War
Diaries (which will be
kept from
first
day
of
mobilization, creation
or
embodi
ment),
re
contained
in F.S.
Regs. Vol.
1.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original, duplicate
and tripucate to be
forwarded to 0.
i / c
2nd
Echelon for disposal.
{
Title
pages
will
be
prepared.
/
Erase heading
not
required)
Place
In
the Fie
ITALY
Date Hour
Summary of Events and Information
6
0
43
0100 c
OompanJ
reported
they
were
ad"Yanctns alowlJ
on
the l r o b ~ e o t l Y e J 1Mlt
meeting
wl th
heaoyy 8Dft l' t
CJ. and ~ o r t r f l re .
01)0
B.B.Q.
eatab11ahe4
a
forward
Command
Poet
on
he
s.
E.
814e o
the
rl
.
0200
Bannars
f ro . J.
Company
broa.ght 1n report
a
that the
,OoJ had met w
th he.-.J
opposition and auftered quite
a
few
oaamal1t1es,
amonat whom were the
Compan7
Oomrr:ander,
Major
T. c.
B. Yanoe,
also c. s. M.
A.
Blaker, and tha t the nma1na of
two platoons were baok on
the
B.H.Q.
aide
of
the
r l er .
0700 c
Oomp&n7
reportecl
that
1
platoon of . .
OoJ
s
now 1n
the i r area
Dll4er
the l r ~ 1 1 D 1 m d and the oopan7 was oonaol14ated 1A the area
of Sq J l l l
- Slleet
147
(
. et1l l 1n
oontaot
with the enemJ.
on5 B
COmp&n7 reported
that
the7
had
ooneolldated 1n the area of Sq
)211 - Sh_.et
147 ( ~ ) , aeet lag
opposition from
enem, M.G. ~ 1 r e 1
0800 5 P.o.w. ' , .-re
t . roapt in to B.B.Q.
a a a
* l o b waa now eatabl18he4
a t J l4 l l4
Sheet
147 Cki . B COmpany
reported
theJ had
oapture4
DWDeroua prl.onera an4
were
aendlna
aame
to
B.
B.
Q.
u d e r
eaoort .
0900 P.P.c.L.I.
on our l e f t
l ank reported s tead7 prosress,
but s1sn of enem7 oounter
at taok from the town of
s. c A L D A R I
Sq )009
-
Sheet
147-1 ~ .
i ;nemJ tallka
reported
1n
the
area of Sq
)111. Our
01111 ta.nlta were meetlna
w
th
hea'Y7 enemJ
f i re ,
and
a
tank batt le rased
tur loulJ .
a COmpany
reported meeting enemJ oppoa1
t ion
bat
111
the prooeaa of
o1e&Aiag
ap
same.
H ~ a y y enem7 shelling and
mortaring of
.B. H Q.
ai-ea 41lrlllg
the morn1D.g.
The
c.o.,
Lt-col.
J .D. For1n
1
deolded that
n Company
and
B.H.Q.
and two p l
o f .t Coy Wo1lld
cross
the rl"Yer and moye llP to the two forward Co7
but
the
foroe prepared to
moye
off ,
a
pltohed
tank
ba t t le between oar and
anemJ
tanka
denloped,
and on
1nstra.ot1ona
from Bela, B. Q. plana w ~ L ohaqe41
I t
deo14e4
tha t
tbe sphere
of
opt:r a
t iona
be
transferred to
the
P.
f'.
0.1..
I .
area
d11e
to
the
heaY,J oonoentratlon of enemy ln the
Seaforth
of C area.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
7/65
WAR DIARY
M.F.M, 11
40/P
S/27
(9/42)
OR
Instructions regarding
prepara-tion
of
War Diaries (which will be kept from first
day of mobilization, creation or embodi
ment), are contained
in
F.S. Regs. Vol. 1.
b
,Title
pages
will
be prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Original, duplicate and triplic.ate
to
be
forwarded to 0. i
2nd
Echelon for disposal.
/ '
Place
In the Field
lTjLY
Da.te
Hour
'
EO
43
1700
1900
2000
2200
Erase heading
not
required)
Summary of Events
and
Information
( Oontlnued)
The
c.o.
Lt . -ool . J.D. For1n deo1de4 tba t ,
the
one
platoon of A
Coy
now
with
o
Ocmpany,
would
withdraw to
B.li.Q.
s.rea dQJ.'lag
the l l lght . Jl an4 c Coy-a to
\fed up and form a oompoll1 te 1roa.p to
hol4
eatabl lheci 'br14gehea4, to De ~ o l n e d
ltJDthe
'balanee
of
thlil
Battal loa 4ur.Lns
the
next
-7 i a t iona wolll4l 'be taken
ap
to B .m4 C Co7a 1 mule du.rtn.g the n.1ght. . iw l n t1oa to 'be laaaed.
B.
H.
Q.
area being
heavl l7
ahe l le t . 1'he
c.
o.
a t t u t ed
a eon:terenoe a t
.Bde
B. Q.
a t
which
it
wa
deo1de4 tha t the Admn Regt woald advance throu&h the P.P.C.L.I.
The
a. wou14 ereot a b r l dp aoro the r 1 . ~ e r &'l .317086 ~ h ~ e t b l 4 7 (1) :foZ'
t l 'anapol 't .
Coy
of
the Sea:forthu to pronde proteot1oa _for the ang1neera.
A
OompanJ pJO'f'14e4 an eaeort fo r the tranaportat1on ot rat1ona b7 male to
B
and
C Co7a
B
H.
Q u
OompanJ
ao?ed
aap
to the
area
o f
3451.06
Sheet 147
( l ) .
l ur l q the dll)f, 40 prtao.o
.
r& W6J"e
t J.kQn B
Oo7, m d aan7
German
U l l t ~ c l
' r
A
and
0
Cocap&lllcaa.
B
and
c O o m p a : . . 1 1 ~
were ord&rfld
to w1 thdraw baok to
the
Sou.th
lll4e o the
rive-r
a.e
1 t
bad -.em deo14ed
D7
the
.Bziga41er,
tba t
l t
w o ~ \
lte
1mpoa81ble to
oonatl llot
a cl1 yo raton. below s. L. g A N.
~
R D.o. t 111 d.
lna'tead., the P.P.C.L.I .
'br1clphea4
111 the a r ~ a of
V.
R 0 0 T I 1f0lll4
explo1te4.
he
ltl1
aoved off to
a
oonoentrat1on area
11l Sq. )208.
Th;.:
plaa now,
waa to
fol low ~ L.
~ d m n
Re1t 1n exploi ta t ion t the P . .C.L . I . bridgehead, whloh
ha4
met l
oppoa1t1on than
oar
owa effo* '
ln
th8
L i:
A N A R
0
aeotor .
Remarks,
references
to Appendices and
initiaU
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
8/65
W R DI RY
M.F.M.
40/P
S/37
(9/42)
R
lns.tructions regarding prepru:ation of
War Diaries (which will be kept from first
day of mobilization,
creation
or embodi-
ment),
are
contained
in F.S. Regs. Vol. 1.
1
Title
pages
will be
prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original, d\il.plicate and triplicate
to
be
forwarded
to
0.
i c 2nd
Echelon
for disposal.
y
Erase heading
not
required)
Place
Date
Hour
Summary of Events and Information
In the P1el4
l ALY
7 0600 ~ t a n d -
gnt=ID.J
ahel l1ng B H ~ -and n Company
area.
D O
44 0700
Lt. ool.
J.D.
Ftr.111
attended
a
oo.ldttrenoe a t
Bde H.Q.
0800
An o Grottp wa htild at V\hioh
the 0.
o. &tate4
that lS
anci C
Oompaniea
wolll.4
be withdrawn to the .Battalion area.
1000 B oompa.uy
arr1 ved lnto
the
area
ot 337103
Sheet
14' ((1). The7
repo
rte that
1n
the
pr61Vivulil day's aot1ona, t.b.ey had t kon
a p p = o x i m a t l ~ f
J5
P.O.W.,
w1pe4
o ~ t
14
M.G. poHta.
C a ~ ~ a a l
t1ea llr:tered b7 the oompany 'being.
1
X1lled, I we
u.nded
and
6
m1aa1ng.
Remarks, references
to Appendices
and
i n i t i ~
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
9/65
WAR DIARY
U. F
.M. 11
40/P B/87 (0/42)
R
Instructions
regarding p r e p a r a t i o ~ of
War
Diaries (which will be
kept
from first
day of
mobilization, creation or
embodi
ment),
are contained
in
.F.S. Regs. Vol.
I
INTELLIGENCE
SUMMARY
Original, duplicate
and trip.Lu
ate to be
forwarded to 0. i /
c
2nd Echelon
for disposal.
c {
Title
pages will
be prepared.
Plaoe Date
Hour
In the Field
ItALY
7
Dec
4)
1030
1500
1600
17)0
1 0
2200
8 060
Deo 10
700
4)
Erase
heading not
required)
Summary of Events and Information
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
( Oont1.naed)
C Co7
a r r l " d
1Df t
the
area of 324083- A 007 )23083- D Co7 )26086- B.li.Q. 327085
Areas
ahellect
and
mortared
b7
the
enem7
a l l da7.
The Bde L.o. , Lt. : ~ e l h u l . a h Ylad.
ted the
o.o. and
atated that the
2ncl
.Bde were to
be
withdrawn
for
a 24 hov.r
res t
and
pnqr a1 olean up.
Eaonton
aess.ment wou.l4
remain
in
aame a r d a -
P.P .C.L. I .
to
be
rele1Ye4 by the W ~ S T
UN'IS-
Seatorth of
c
to be
rele1Yed by 7th Pan3aba -8Ind1an
DlY.
o ~ Group at
which the c.o. ODtl1ne4 the present ai tuat loa. and
stated that
the
1.0.
'lllth 2
I .Seo
man
would
reooe an a n a 1n Sq
)410
Sheet
147
(lY) tor
the
purpose of ld.llet1ng the
lbole 8:1
ln
hoaaaea durlns
the br l t
reat period.
Rat1ona, .Blankets and Small paoka to
be
brought
up
r roa
A
iohalon.
Ba1tal.1oD
keep o f ~ the roads dar1ns
mooye, as
they were be1J18
shelled
h4ta Yil7
la7 the
llnlJ
Oompanlea to moye
off
aa soon as theJ were relelyed b7 the
Incl1ana.
7 Pam3ab
Regt mo'Y8d into liD
Area
Moyed
of t
on
oroas-oountry
treokk'and
arr1'Y8d
ln
the
res t
area
2000
Bra1
B.
H.
Q.
346110 -
A
C07
)46114
-
B
Coy
)36105- C
Oo7 346107 -
D Oo7 )441U.
Rat1one,
blanket a
and small paoka arr1Yed
in
the area
and
were
41nr1bate4, and
the
Battal ion se t t led down
to
a
ooliforta'ble
n1gl1ta res t
and alPI
antort1Ul&tld7
4 1 a t ~ a r b e 4 lay haay7
enemy
shel l m d
mortar
f l r e in the azoea. fehlolea H l o : f ' J
~ ~ r a ~ ' t . . . . l . . . " ~
to another Unit 1n the Bn area
~ s
hi t bJ she l l f i re , ~ n t i r e
and
a
the
enemy a
sood
tarse t to
shoot a t a l l
night , .
Enemy
st ll
lb
e l l1ns
the Bn
area.
he
c.o.,
Lt-ool. J .D. Forin,
attended a conference at Bde
H.Q.
at wh1oh
1 t
was
dea1d4 that
a f te r
the l a t Bde had
strens,hened
t h t ~ 1 r br ldphea4 on the
NOftTB
s14e of
the
rl - .er, the Seaforth of
0 would
go
through
with the
aui/lort
or taDka
to
an
area
1n Sq
)213 - Sheet
147
Ill
th the
exoeptlon ot one
oompany
who, w th
the
support
of
tanka,
would
make
a
l e f t
hook
along the
road
rv.nn1ns
f ST
fro
S
L A N A R D 0 3)0118.
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
10/65
WAR DIARY
M .F .
M.
11
40/P S/37 9 / ~ 2 )
R
Instructions r egarding preparation of
Wa i Diuries (which will be kept il Om first
day of mobilization, or ation
o
1 embodi
ment
), are contained in F.S. Regs. V 1 l
t Title pages will be prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Original,
duplicate
and t r i p l J ~ a t e to be
forwarded
to 0 .
i /c
2nd
Echelon
for disposal.
Erase heading not r
equ
ired)
7 -
Pl
ace
Date Hour Summary of Events
and
Information
Remarks, references
to Ap pe
ndices
and
initials
In
the
Field
I rALY
8
Deo
43
9
Deo
43
( 00nt1n )
0900
o
Groop
at
which
the c.o. expla1n.Jthe a1tuation
and
etate4
a
plan of
action
for the Bn woDld
be
la id on later
Arty
and
tanka
la ld
down
a heayy concentration of
r1re
on enemy oocuple4
areas. Our her:Yy bomiera and
f ighters
were oyer
dortns
the 4aJ, bom b1ng an4
etraf ins
the
enem1 poa1t1ona.
.
1000 24 mules 111
th
Indian drtyers, arr1ye4 ln the area.
l o
be uae4 1n tranaport1ns
.AmmWlition, " ' i . . ~ . G ~ s , 4 . 1 an4 3 Inoh Monara aoroaa
the
R1r
Moro.
0530
0600
0700
0730
0800
Enemy she l l ing during the night, but f a i r l J
l ight compared
th the prenou&
night
s shell ing.
Reye1lll.
Blankets
rolled
and
equipment
loaded
on
to vehicles,
and
Bn
Olra1
ted
further
orders
from
Bde
H.Q. to move.
In to move off at
0730
hra.
D
Coy moYed off , encountering heayy
enem1
ahell and mortar f ire while ozoaalns
the
rtyer.
he c.o. altered
OOJ'a plan
of
making a
te1ot to tho I ~ S T ot s.
L N A R D
o
and
awung
the Coy to the NORi B to aas1at tbe R.c.R. Regt, who were f1gbt1ns
off
a haYJ oounter
attack bythe
enemJ.
0815 D
1 reported that
they were
meeting bi t te r raalatanoe
but
were
advano1ns alowlJ
under
enemy M . ~ . G .
and
llhall f ' lra, 11d bad
aut:terre4
a
few
oanalt1ee.
The
c.o.,
L\J-001.
J D
For1n oomrranded
the
Blla aotlon
from
a y a , ~ t a s e point 1D a
tank,
whi-ch
l a t e r
h1 t a
mine
an4 blew
a
t rack ,
no
casual t1aa.
0915 D
Coy
reported
they
were
1n
the
town of
s
L A N A R D
o
and,
w1ttJ
the
a1d
of
supporting trmks and
ona
company
o.f
the a.
c. a, Rep
wt:..re mopping up enem1
P. G.
posts
looae4
1n
there.
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
11/65
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P S/37
(9/42)
OR
Instructions regarding
preparation
of
War Diaries (which
will
be kept from first
day of mobilization, creation
or
embodi
ment), are
contained
in
F.S.
Regs.
Vol.
l
INTELLIGENCE
SUMMARY
Original, duplicate
and
tripucate to be
forwarded
to 0. i / c 2nd
Echelon
for disposal.
~
Title pages will be prepared.
-
Place
In the
Flel4
lT iLY
Date Hour
9
De
a
43
1000
1045
~
1220
1)00
1400
141S
1?45
2159
Erase heading not required)
Summary
of
Events
and
Information
(
coottue4)
1
Platooa
or
007
Mnt
down
to
337117
U
a
' l 'Oteotlon
for
a
uppe r part7
IMU 14lac
a
d1yera1oD
in that area.
B. H. - A -
c - B mo ort
1D
d1
reet ton
ot th3 r1
Yer
ozroaans.
OOII lq
UA4er
.he YJ abell
ancl
mol'tar f1re. g: taak
aD.d s.
P.
pna n
nporte4 i a tbe
area l1f 3)51)7. ReaJ enem7
hel l lns
aroWl4 aree o t 41Yenion a l l molalq .
B ancl 0 Oompam.ea rvporte4 tl,e7 e aoros
tbe r1'Yer
ao4 tha t Ule en J had
ooanter attaoke4
4o
the
road
B . ~ .
ot
the
town. tMlt r
d f t f t l l t t
.Porwart
B.
B.
Q. ude r the oomma11d
of
the A 4 ~ u t a n t Capt, 1 H. lonAel l npor te4
ln
poaltlon
wtth
A
COy ln
tbe
area .
I and C Oo7a bad llnk.e4
ap with the 11
O.T.R. lA
allottt
ana.
Brill B.M. Hottme1ter. 1 n t o ~ e 4 ~ t o o l . J.D.
orln that
he
tn coaplete
oharse
of
the operation ta the s. t
A N A
a
D (,
Oo7
r e p o r t ~ 4
the i r
adYaDoe
hel4 ap
bJ
heaYJ
M.G.
all4
Mortar
t1n .
he
c.
o.
l n s t ru t ed
A - 0
and
8
ooapanlea
to
remat.
D
l a
the i r
preaent
area.
Coy to 11111 tb4raw to or iginal poal t lon, A 81 to dYance
and
at taok
t ;
e enem7
N.
E. ot
s. L 3 A N
A
R D 0 The enem7 exten117 ttaed
hl mal\1-moltar
(
Moaning
" lnnle)
durS.n
the
~ aclyanoe.
The Oom:tJ Dl ooo.olldated 1A a r e u U'OilD4 L
A
N A a D u
A Oo7
)28199
- I
007
)J l l l12 - C
007
JJJ120 -
D
Co7 332111 -
B.
E.,.-. ,0118 .
The aupportlng
tank
taking
up
po81t1ona
in and
ai'Ow:ul
the
towa. The l.o.
ln rear B.B.Q. )44111 arranae t tor
ratloD
and sreatooat to taken oyer to
th
CoJ8. The
~ . 0 .
~ a ~ o r
A r u l e r . o ~ u.p 8A
acl'Yanoe R.A. .
1a
L
A
N A t( l u
1
l"aded W1th
M M G
and 4.2
aonara
oro t t1e n:wer to Uae
1111
poa t loaa .
Remarks, references
to
Appendices and
initials
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
12/65
WAR DIARY
M.F .M.
11
40
/ P S/37 (9/42)
R
Instructions
regarding
preparation of
Wax
Diaries
(which
will
be
kept
from first
day of
mobilization,
creation
or embodi
ment), are contained in
F.S. Regs. Vol. l
r \\
Title
pages will be
prepared
.
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Original,
duplicate
and
triphcate to be
forwarded to
0.
i 2nd Echelon for disposal.
1 /
Place
In t h ~
Field
ITALY
Erase heading not required
Date Hour Summary
of Events and
Information
10
Deo
43
11
Deo
43
0700
St an
d
to
f i r s t
l i gh t .
Lt-ool.
J.D.
Forin
attan4ed a
conference
a t
Ide
R.Q.
where
the next
p l a n o ~
j ~ o ion was
outl ined. The
Eclmna, 111
th
the
uppor\
1
Sstn of
tanka,
wollld
advanoe forward to t h ~
area
324134 then, a f te r oonaol1dat1on. to
the area
32 3142.
1
Company of the 48th Blghla.odera, aupporte4 bJ tank, would a4vanoe
an the i r r ight flaDk and 1 ooy of Seaforth., ,
aupponed
by t&llka on the i r l e f t
r1ank.
~ ~ h e
attaok
went t t aooord1ns to plan, and the Edmn Regt reaohe4 tha1r f1rat
objeotlve wlth ver7 l i t t l e oppoaition.
~ 1 0 Rear B.H.Q. moved forward
t
A4vanoe B.H.Q.
area, and
L\-ool.
J.D.
PoriA wtth
a
akeleton
B. B. Q . moved
to rAr4
to a O O i
t r : a n d pot
a t . bat on the
move ran into
heav7
shel l and moriar f ire. Lt-ool.
J.D
o ~ ~ ~ ~ v d
shrapnel
. oanda , hla
batman
ki l l ed. The Aotlns I.o., Lt; M o ~ a a s h l a a
shrapnel
WOillld,
and
1
111sna11er on
the 18
aet
k1lle4.
Capt. Blaokrn
took
ever temporar,,
oorrl' 'and
ot
the
D
. 600 A ahel l burs t ins ou tdde of the 4oor of rear B . R . Q ~ , ld.ddle4 the room
t
th
0600
070
ahrapnel woandlns Capt. Parker, 21/o of c CoJ
and
the AdJt.ltant. Capt,
.r.B
.Bonnell.
2
1/o MaJor s. w. 'l'homaon, took o:orer
command
of the
D
and MaJor J . B. o ~ 1 1/o.
trhe Coys
took ap fil lll
'base pos1
t lona
for the
Dlght and reported
tha t
the i r
areas were belns shelled
and
mortared by the enemJ. The A.rt7 l a i d down
harrasa tns f i re
All
night
on enem, poalt lona.
he
R. A ~ P . Staff
dld
an excellent Job
of
II rk da.rtns the
4&7'8 aotlona, aan411ng
oasaalt1ea
frorn vartoua uni ts .
Stand to - Heayy she l l i ns ln Coy areaa 4ur1ng t t e ear ly morning hoa.ra, the
Coys reported n u ~ e r o a . s caeualt iea from same.
Coys dug
1n
and
ln
d ~ f e n s 1 v e
posi t ions.
Advanoe
B.B.Q.
327125-
A
Coy
Jl012)
B Coy- )28128- C Coy 324125- D Coy 324123- Rear B.H.Q. "331119- ~ h e e t 147 (1v).
Remarks, references
to
Appendices and
initials
/
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
13/65
WAR DIARY
M .
F.M.
11
40/P
& S / 37
(9/42)
OR
Instructions regarding preparation
of
War Diaries (which
will be
kept from first
day
of
mobilization, creation
or
embodi
ment), are
contained in F.S. Regs. Vol.
I
\
1 Title
pages
will
be prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Original, duplicate
and triplicate to be
forwarded to 0.
i / c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
/
Place
In the Field
ITALY
Date Hour
ll
43
0600
0800
0930
10)0
.
100
1.115
125)
1300
\.
-:7
1730
1930
(Erase
heading not required)
Summary of Events and Information
Stand
to
-
Coy oarr1era went
forward
with rat ions to
the i r r e a p e c t l ~ e 007
A
Coy
reported
that
they auapeote4
enemJ
O.P.
e
and
M.G.'
1n
hoAaea
on
rldge N W
from
the i r poaitlona.
J/c.o. 11ajor s w hcmaon, adnaed
the
Coy Comrr:ander to R8e the11 Spt anka
to
blas t
out the enemJ ln auapeote4 h(;gaea. . . - ; . ~ f
tu
anke
opened f i r e on houaea along the
r idge.
, ;
Coy s ordered
to
attack
the ridge
317126
Sheet
1
14'7
( iv)
with
the
11pport
of tanka. 1 P].atoona of "B" Coy to protect the i r mt f lank by OOOilpyillS
featRre at
32513 0 Sheet 147
~ .
1 Platoon
of o
COJ
to l ink
up
~ h th.m.
he .;c.o. Major, s. 1
~ h o m i K n ,
acl'Yiaed
the
Ooya to
oal l
on
the
An to alot
at
aa
many targets as posa1ble.
A Oo7 reached
tbelr object1ye and reported e ~ e r y t h i n under control .
A
Coy reported heavy concentration of the
enem7 praparins to
attaok the i r
poet
t1on, and,
qn the
a 4 ' f ' 1 o ~ of
the
A/
a
0.
,
the
Co7
w1
thdrew
to
the i r
original
poalt iona.
Platoons
from
B.
and
c.
ompanles doins l i k e n to
allow oar
l rt;r to lay
down a
heavy
c o n o e n t r a t l ~ n est
f i r e on
the danger are.a.
A
Coyat this
time had a
f ight ing
a t r e ~ b of 45 men.
Ooye oonaolldated ln
d e f e n a l ~ e
posltlons
d ~ r 1 D g the night .
Enemy
movement and
tracked vebiolea were reported by Oo7 and the 4/C.O. M a ~ o r
s w Thomson and
t h ~
F.o.o.,
Major
Williamson, laid on D.l.
tasks for
the
night
on area
movement heard
in .
The J/C.O.
Major.
3.W.
Thomson, at tented
a
conference
at ~ e
H.Q., and
on
hla
retl lrn,
he stated that the Ill would
s l
t igh t ,
and
w th the tanka, .-ould form
a
strong
defenslve
position.
An ene1r7
sniper around
the Bn
area,
b r ~ a concealed position, gave a
l i t t l e
trollble
during
the
nigJ
t .
The
CC;ya
a e t t l ~ d
down for
the
night , depleted
oooalderablJ
iD
s tnngih.
but
morale
s t l l l high
after one of the hardeat
481
the
BD
had experlenoea with
enemy
she l l and
m o r t ~ r f i re .
Remarks,
references
to Appendices and
initials
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
14/65
M .F .
M
11
Instructions regarding preparation of
War Diaries (which will be
kept
from first
day of mobilization, creation or embodi
ment), are contained in
F.S
. Regs. Vol. 1.
W R
DI RY
R
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
40/P S/
37
(9 / 42)
Original,
duplicate
and triplicate to be
forwarded to 0. i/ c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
\
Title pages
will
be prepared.
/
Place
In
the
Field
ITALY
Date
Hour
12
Dec
43
0600
otoo
0930
1230
t
1500
16)0
i.
1800
13
Dec
43
0600
0715
08)0
Erase heading not required)
Summary
of
Events
and
Infol'Illation
l t1
tb ,;
early
morning hou rs,
the
" .
N
s.
R
Regt, pasaed
throDgb
the
Bll
pod
t lona.
,
Very l i t t l e
shelJing
during
the night
Stand to -
All Qa1et.
~ n e m y
shelling and Mortaring
Bn
Area.
fi H Q area
in s. L 1 : A N A H D 0
t eav1ly
shelled and morlare4 7
enemy mal'tlf/e
mortars,
known;tamongst
the
troops ae Moaning
1
'1nnie. he mlllt1r 'monar o u
be heard Walling
through the
a1r, g1Ying lo ta of
time
to take ooyer .
Enemy
sniping 1n
the Bn Area
Remarks, references
to Appendices
and
initials
The ~ c . o . Major s w Thomson, atatde4 a oonferenoe at Ide H.Q.
at
whloh the
seneral
situation
waa
~ a t l l n e d .
Elements
ot
the
l a t
de ba4
a4yanoe4
through'
the 2nd de liDea, meeting enemy M G and Mortar t i r e . The P.P.C.L.I. ha4
beaten
t t a c o ~ n t e r at tack. , ~
e1 tu t1on a t t h i s t1me wat the va loua Battalion oonaol1clate4
in
t}:j ti area of.
Seafo r th
of
0
325125
-
P.
P.
c.L.I.
343144
-
Loyal
Edmn
Regt
324138
-
CarletoD
A
Yorke 324125- w.:;.s.R. 315126.
A patrol from A Coy oontaote4 the
enemy,
aud a f t e ~ exohang1ng f ire,
II
t h o "
to report on
m
Coy oarr.lere took 1n to the i r reapect1ye oompan1ea, ratione and rum 1eauea1
Cooka
1D
A Echelon,
sent
oat p1eq
the7
had baked
t o r the troopa
1D the l ine ,
and were a
~ e r J
w e l o o ~ e tare to t ~ e ordinarr Aaar meala.
Llght she l l ing 1n
the Bn area daring
the
night,
othend.ae qale t .
Stand to.
At
0630
bra, the enemy
heavily
shel led
and mortared the BD
area.
~ n e m y
tanka reported operatl 1n tbe area
of
)26140, Sheet 147 lY t )
All
t r o ~ p s
warned
to
be
on
the
a le r t for heayy enemy ooanter
attaoka.
Small arms f i re
forward of
the
Battalions poa1t1ona,
1Dcl1oate4 the
P.P-.C.L.l.
who were tD the moye, had
contaoted
the enemy.
he
Loyal Edmn Regt reported
that
they had contacted
the
enem7,
and
the
P.P.C.L.I. reported
that
they were
being
heavily
ooanter
a t - O k e ~
U.F.M.
11
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
15/65
WAR DIARY
40/P
B/87 (9/42)
R
Instructions regarding preparation of
War
Diaries (which will be
kept
from
first
day
of mobilization,
creation
or
embodi-
ment),
are contained
in F.S. Regs.
Vol. I.
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
Original,
duplicate and triphcate to be
forwarded to 0 .
i / c 2nd
Echelon for
disposal.
In
\\.\
Title
pages
will
be
prepared.
/
Place
the
Pleld
l'r.ALY
Date
13
Deo
4)
J
)
Hour
083C
OC130
1000
1100
1300
1530
1700
1900
Erase
heading
not
required
Summary of Events and Information
(
~ o n t 1 n 1 1 e d
t he 81tua t lon on t helr r ight f lank belna aerloua.
he
Carleton
&
York
Reg\
repor ted
that
3
Mark
tanka
had
been
deatroyed
and tha t they had taken 111any prisoners .
rhe ~ c o
Major.
s w Thomson,
attended a Bde
Conference where 1 t
waa
deo1de4
tha t A Coy o f
the Se&rorth
o f
c,
w1:th
a troop of tanka, wou.l.d
make
a
lef t
hook
to the
area
of )10210 ln order to help the 0 . Y reaoh
the i r o b j e c t l ~ e ~ .
.t Coy
o u e under the
oomrnand
of t h ~
tanka
for the i r next moye.
No
oomman1oat1on
from
A Oo7.
Word 'by
other meant came
tt.roaaJl
that
I Coy were
on
the l r ob3eot1e, and ha4
oapt11red
many pr1aonera,
de ta i l s wery ~ ~ .
Beaq
ahell ina
ln
the
Bn Areaa.
A Coy reported 1n
tlle area
of
306122.
C . Q . ~
. S .
Jones
of
A Coy,
re ta . rn lq to B.H.Q.
from
h i s
Coy, brollght in a
6eta1led
report
ot
the
OoJ'
aDooeaaea.
hat wJ tb
a t lght ln l
atrensth
of 4), and
t Je
6Ulpport
of
tanka, they
ha4
made t l e
le:ft
hook and
had
ooaple te lJ
aa.rpr1ae4
the enemJ,
.
and bad ki l led
many
and ha4 taken from 7
5 -
100
pr1aone:ra,
1nola.d1ng.
the
B o
lomrrande r , AdjutaDt,
and 4
Platoon
Offioera .
The tanka
hat
deatro7ed
l Bark
lv 'anka, 2
J / k
China and
J S.P. GuAa1
No' a
ng le
man rrom A
001
waa
w ,
a4e4
throrapllout
the
whole aot1un and
the men
were lou.d 1A
the
pra1ae
of the i r tank aupport, 2
o f the aupportns tanlta
bogged clown, and on
o r d e n
from the Tank
Oommander, were
deatroJe4. ~ r
tDrn1n___e_
O't'er the i r
poll1
t_1 2 na
to the re le1UDI W.N.S.R , A
Ooy
retlll 'ne4
to
l t a or l pna l area.
Rat1ona were
ro11pt
. . , to a l l Coya, wh1oh 1noluded a dorable
laaue
of
Rum
and
Chooolate Bara.
SnemJ ArtJ and Mortar
t i re alaokened
down durlng the e ~ e n l n a
and l a t e r
oA
exoept for
our
own ArtJ
harraeslns t1re, all
waa qQ et.
~ A d j t .
capt.
K.S.
Ma rdoob
was
sent
down
the 1lne s1ok,
4Dr.lng
the
4aJ7
The
duties
of
the
Adjutant
taken o ~ e r by the i.o.
LtJ
A W
Gra7, the ~ I . O .
Delns
I J . Z ~ . A .
Lt1 ~ c K c n s l e l
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
II/
ol J
.
A ~ -
r
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
16/65
WAR
DIARY
M..P.M. 11
40/P S/87 (U/42)
R
Instructions
regarding
preparation of
War Diaries
(which will be
kept from
first
day
of mobilization, creation
or embodi
ment), are contained
in
F.S. Regs. Vol.
l
INTELLIGENCE
SUMMARY
Original,
duplicate
and tripheate to be
forwarded to
0.
i / c
2nd
Echelon
for
disposal.
\ Title
pages will
be prepared.
/
Erase heading
not
required
Place
In the
FtelCI 1
ITALY
L
Date
)4
Deo
43
Hour Summary of Events and Information
0600 Stand
To
-
Intermit tent
enemy shell f ire
in Bn
area. M.G.
Fire prominent
in t h e ~
forward
areaa.
Ad.-nce
.H.Q.
m o ~ e d
back
to
rear
B.H.Q.
in
s.
L A N A R D 0
0700 Major s.
1f. homson
attended a
Me
Conterenoe at which 1 t N&B
decided that
the
Seaforth ot C
would
take oyor area8{'Y aatecl by the l a t Bcle.
1000
o
Group
at
wbloh
the J/C.O. outlined
the
si tuat ion on
oar
f ront ln
pne: ra l
alao
atated
the
~ w o u l d
m o ~ e
forward and take
over
pos1t1on
vaoated
by other Begta.
J OoJ 3 3 2 ~ 1 9
- B Coy ~ 1 1 9 - C
Coy
3l5l.07 - D
OoJ 322113 +
B.
H.
Q. 332119.
1015 Our
Arty
sent
o ~ e r
a heay oonoentratlon t t i r e to help the Jrd Bde who ..
e
advanolna
forward of
our poai t1ona. Our. ,81rforce were o.er s t r id ing and
bombina
enemy
p o s i t i o n s ~
The enemy sbellet the Bn area, h ~ a v 1 1 1
d ~ n g
tbe mor.Dlng.
1700
Coy/reported
ooneol1dat1on
and
du.g 1n, ln new areaa. nemJ s h e l i i q COJ
Areas, cau.slng
a
few oamal iali .
'
he enemy
were
put t ing a.p a ry stubborn reatatanoe,
and
were gr1ml1 oontea t lq
every foot
of
sronn4
Tht:J'
usad
t he i r
Art7
and
Morlara
I t
th
sood
e t tec t . The
toposraphy
o f
the ooWltrJ waa :flat a l l iii. taou.r of the defender, the on.l7
she l t e r from enemy f t re be1ns ~ h e odd house
and deep
a l i t trenohes a
v ~ r y
dif ferent type of warfare to what t h ~ Bn had 'been aoou.atomed to
in tha
moUAtalaa.
15
0600
stand
To..
In tend .
t t an t ene1D7 shel l ing.
0
43
Enemy shell lns an4 mortar1111
1n
and
around
B. B. Q. area in s.
L
A N A R D 0
Carleton York Rep on
our
r ight fianlt, reported 'Yery heav7
go1ns,
a.DCI
enoountertns heaYJ and ~ o r t a r b f i r e
Commanlcatlona
~
18 set
with
a l l Coya perfect.
~ o . o . Major. s..
Thomson, 1natracted B
Co7
to
aend out patrols
to oontaot
the
Eaaex
and Royal
Fus i l i e r
Rest
on
the l r
l e t t
flank.
.1
CoJ
to
mo
to
the
area of .31503.
Remarks, references
to Appendices
and
initials
/
I
,
1.///
- v
.
;e'
UJil.U. 11
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
17/65
W R DI RY
40/P
&
8/87
(9/4:1)
R
Instructions
regarding
preparati.on
of
War
Diaries (which
will be
kept from first
day of
mobilization, creation or
embodi
ment), are contained
in F.S. Regs.
Vol.
1.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original,
duplicate and
tripb.cate
to be
forwarded to 0. i I
c
2nd
Echelon for disposal.
Title
pages
will
be
prepared.
Erase heading not required)
\b_....
-
Place
In the Field
ITALY
Date Hour
Summary of Events
and
Information
15 ( Contlna.ed)
Dec 1330 .a
and
0 Coya reported
oarr1era sent cat t t tb
rat1.ona and -mwu.
t ton
4.3
had
arri
in
' their area.
1550 Forward
Bna
reported that the
enemy
were
oonoentnt lna in
the area o:C ll71J6
in preparat ion for a
counter attack.
1615 ~ . L . I . M.G.
p a
unlta
aent
out to aa.pport CoJ 1n defeaa1Ye poa1t1ona,
reported \hat the road was
blocked th la aide of
~ T o r r e b7
vehicle
whioh hat
b 'en put oat
of action
bJ enemy
f1
re, one of our oarr len amonat t h u aDd the
driver ki l led. ' 'he A/C.oO. deQ1d-td that
the road waa
tm4er olaaenat on
a ncl
made arrangement& for
the tranportat1on
of auppl1ea l..o
t i ooya
to be made
Y
uu1lea.
1800 R . C . ~ . ofr1oer
reporte4 to
B.H.Q. and atate4 that
he
wa or4ere4 to alne an
areR rorard of our
007
1n
oaee
of c o ~ t r at taoka
bJ
the
enemJ
~ h e 4/C.O. Major s.w. Thomson,
deo1ded
that th1a would DOt be ea1'1.
Ooya
la id
on
looal
patrola.for
the
n1ght.
2200 A
Coy r e p o r t ~ d hearing enemy c11gg1ng-1n
approx )00 J&rds
from the i r
pos1 t1ons,
and
asked
for
Mortar f i r e on th1e
area.
whioh waa grante4.
No
sbel l1ns
n the Bu area 4u.r1ng the night.;
0600
0700
08 0
09 )0
Stand
to .
B Coy report eel a
number
or
tanka
engastnl the enemJ N.
W.
of the1 r area.
c Coy reported
that ,
due
to
a mtaanderstandlng; the lr patrol dld
not
oontaot
a patrol from t.he Ind1an D1Y1a1on
du.rt.ng the night .
R. 22 R. had cRt the road a t 258o50.
R.c.s.
Off1oer
repofte4 to
B.H.Q. with
400 yda
of barbed
wire to
be
11aed
by the Ooya 1:f needed
1n
the ir areas.
B Coy reported that J/'l'k
Guna 1n
tha tr area
had acooamted for ;
1 Mf.rk l Y tank,
1
. ~ a r k
111
tank,
and
1
S. P.
Gun.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initiaLs
(
I
I;
/
(/
/) 1
11
/
t
s ~
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
18/65
W R DI RY
MJII.lil.
11
40/P & S/37 (Q/42)
R
Instructions regru:diug preparati.on
of
War Diaries {which will be
kept
from first
day
of mobilization,
creati
on or embodi
ment), are contained in F.S. Regs. Vol. 1.
\
1
Title
page&l
will be prepared.
INTELLIGENCE
SUMM RY
Original, duplicate
and
triphcate to be
forwarded to 0. i / c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
Place
In tlle Field
ITALY
Date Hour
16
Deo
1115
43
-
1600
17
0600
Dec
43
0800
1200
Erase heading not required)
Summary
of
Events and
Information
(
Contlalle
}
I.H.Q. reoelved
a aevere snsktng
up
wben enem1 d1ve bombera, bombed
s.
L AN
A
R D 0 The S.L.I.
Sup,ort
Group reaelved a direot h l t
on
tLe
house tha t they were ln , aud
ae-ye.ral
were l d l l ed and 1nja.r t4 .
Knel l)' shel l ing of
n
area was much
llglr, 'er
than on prevloRa daJa.
A Ooy now had
in
support ; 2 : JI.M.G. 2
J/Tk:
Guns and 3 Tanka. B Coy, 2 M.r
1
.G.
,
6
A/Tk GWlB and 3
tGJlka,
also
two
3 Plortare,
1
Med1u.m and
1
Pl4 .F. o. o..
Uu.ring
the
l u l l , the M.O. lno:culated personnel in B.H. Q.
for
'f;yphua.
Jlrlg.
B.M. Boffr;r.ei s ter
vial
ted
t
te
c.o.
8 ld. s ta ted
i ha t reinforcement
a WD\lld be
a.p
to
the n on
tlle next
daJ .
Rat1ons
were
brought up from A Echelon, wbioh included
Rum.
Sacks of r a n t ~ e a
and
,
apple
pies baked
b;y
tt:e
cooke in A
Ech were
alao
broa.ght
u.p.
All
~ u 1 e t .
Isola ted
M.G.
f l re ln
forward
areas. C
Coy
reported
oontaot wl th
the Indian Di'Y pat rol du.nns the
nigh t .
the
J/C.C., Major. 's.-;t.
Thomson,
attended
a
~ o n f e ~ n a e
at Bde
H.Q.,
and on h1a
r e t ~ r n he ins t ruc ted Ooy tc
sdnd
a
fighting
pat rol to the town of
s.
J
u B A t I
to
locate
enemy dispos i t ion any. No &bell1DC 1D the
area
during he morning
. o
Coy pat rol reported that te7
had
entered
s.
J
U B A T I
and ~ o o n the
.fOJS _aLe_ar 'i the
enem:r. Th&J. had
taken
one
prlaoner
:f'oun4
eleep1M ln
a
hoa.ae.
saae
00
erenoe
~
cal led,
to
be held
a t
the
Seaforth
of
c
B n .
a
1400
houra.
At the oonf'erenoe, .Brig. B . ~ . Hoffme1ate
t
the i r p r s ~ n t poaitlona, wtth aotlve pa t r
The
l e t
de
was
to
advanctl
en oar
front
of
the town
of 0 R T 0 N A
hey woald
7
Fld Regta,
2 Medium
and
1 heaYy, plaa
aero hour for
the
Arty oonaentrat lon .
n
d h l
101
u
< '
Remarks, references
to
Appendices
and
initials
W R
DI RY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/37
(9/42)
Instructions
regarding
preparation of
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
19/65
R
War Diaries (which
will be kept
from first
day of mobilization, creation
or
embodi
ment),
are contained
in
F.S.
Regs. Vol.
1.
\
Title pages
will
be prepared.
INTELLIGEN E
SUMM RY
Original,
duplicate
tmd
triplicate
to be
forwarded to 0. i / c 2nd
Echelon
for disposal.
Place
In
the
Field
ITALY
Date Hour
18
Dec
4
0800
0900
1000
1100
1115
--
1600
19 0600
Dec 0800
1400
Erase heading
not
required)
Summary
of
Events
and
Information
Stand
to.
A Coy reported t he i r pat rol 1.u the ear ly
houra
of U e
morllln.g,
I
was heavily mortared,.
but no casual t1es.
ha
heav1ust
barrage of
the
oampa1gn
was
l a id
down
on
enemy
poa1
t iona.
4
enemy tank
and
Troopa reported in area 297127 heading NORTH D an
attempt
to escape our Arty t i r e .
C1Ylliana
report.ed the area
in and
al'()und ti1e town
ot
0 R T 0 N A , hea-.117
mined..
Our
Arty
f i r e ooncentrat1on
oeaaed
to allOW the l e t Bde
to
ad'Yanoe t o ~ r d
The Arty
barraga was
ol,a1med
to be larger and ' heaner than the tamoaa
Alemstn Barrage, e a o ~ gun f i r ing approx 500-rounda.
The
l t Bd3 reported that they ha4 completed .he t1rat phase of tbe a t tack
and
that
the enem1 had
withdrawn
from
tbe
area
of )201)8.
Dar ns
the
afternoon,
a
small
number
of
relnfo:roementa
reached
the
111
and
were
distributed
amongst the Coya.
Tt.e
enemy
_JJhelled
s.
A
n
A R D 0
r
~ o h e l o n
on
the aouth
Ill
de
of
the
11 ver M cqtf ' t , reported tha t the i r area was being ahelled bJ entJmy
lona
range guns.
Coys hold1rLg the same poa1 t iona,
IL th
local
{latrola
during
the nlgbt.
Stand
To.
he 4/0.0. Major s.w. T h o ~ s o n attended a c o n f ~ r e n o e
at
Bde B.Q. anu apon
hla
retarn,
ca l led an o Group a t wh1oh he s t a t e ~ the 2nd .14e waa
to
take
over
the
poa1t1ona of the l a t de 1n preparation for
an a t tack
on 0 R T o N A
he
Seaforth of 0 to
t a k ~
o r the
poa1t1ona
of the H . P . ~ .
Best.
Band
C Coya
to moye forward a t
1400
h r a
B.B.Q.
16UO
hra, A
and D
OoJa
to
remain 1n the l r present
poel
t lona Wlt11 a t t e r
dark.
B
and
C Coya
mond
off
and
arr1yed 1n
the l r
new
areas
At
1511
h ~ a
an
a4Yanoe
party
from
B.H.Q. moye4 fwd and
establiahed
t h e m e l ~ e a
1n
the H . P . ~ . B.B.Q.
area.
Remarks, references
to Appendicee and
initials
W R DI RY
MJII.M. 11
40/P 8/87 (9/4:1)
Instruotions
regarding
preparatio.n
of
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
20/65
R
War Diaries (which
will
be
kept from first
day
of mobilization,
creation
or
embodi
ment),
are contained in
F.S. Regs. Vol. I.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original,
duplicate
and
tripLcate
to
be
forwarded to 0. if c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
\ ~
T i t l e
pages
will
be prepared.
Erase heading
not
required)
Place
lA
the
F1el4
l l tL y
Date Hour
Summary of Events and Information
20
D ~ C
44
0600
0900
Si Ad
to. ~ h ~
patJ:'Ol from the Sooo:t PlatoL 'n rtaportecl t.ae7 ba4
nooe 4
the
u e a
aant to me had obaened 1
eerman
aentrJ on
tbe l ' O d . t ~ bat cl14
not
raa
DeJ
&lao
reported
maAJ
s
M1nea
a.ad. f e l l e r
JU.aea
a t r e
&%'0-4
the
area.
The 2n4 M a Command Peat mo?e4 u.p
1Dto
the A.F.Q. a r ~ a
09L5
lS:D emJ
ah l l
~ a l l 1 n a 1u a 4 aroand
tho lla1.alloD
area. ~ h ~ apata1r roo
o t
the
homae 1n whioh B.H.Q.
bad
l t a
Hea4qaarter
1
wertt
u e d
lJ7 the
u t l l l e r y
:r
o o a aa N l o P. IN oa11 ae a aweep1n new ot tba app r ~ a a h e a o
OR1
O I A ooD14
lte aeen tzom U:Le C.ndowa.
v
/
0911 The .Bl'1p4e Oomman4er
1
llr11&41r. Lit . BQf.flle1ater, hel4
aA o Groap
tho
Seaforth
B.B.Q. ou t l 1n l q
the plaa tor
at.taek
ot
OllTOJU
lt7
th 2114 .8r1aue.
the
Lo1a1 ~ n t o o liegLmeot to do t.lle aaaln eZ:tor-t, B14
a4yanoe u p
t.M
a x l
ot th
ORTORA l a t e r a l l'Oacl. ~ h e S\tatorth of 0 to be .
right f l . .U proto"loB
m o u q
alona
the
roa4
to
the
r lp '&i
of
tm
oharoh
a t
JJS163
( l f ) .
lr toJI
to
the ma1n et tor t , the
P.P.O.L.l .
wou.l4 .0Ye to ooBaol14at.e oa
the h ip
s.rou
lD Sqaare J.}15. A beaJ
ar t7
JlfOiratm waa 1&14 on to preoa4e aa4 oo o t11111e
41lrla the
attaok.
' .1 0
hoar
waa 1 14 oa for
1000 Ira.
1100 The
J/O.
o MaJor.
s.
If. Tboll80n,
ftll1
rorward aDd e. .U11ehe4
a ooanu4 poat
1IL
th a T&Dtqe;
new ot tlle 1.o.teAcle4 a d
ot
a4YaD0
1
Del kel 't la touoll 1l h
the OOJ Oommtn na
18
ae t , 41reo t1q thea a l l tb.roa.p the aotloa.
1200
CompiLil1ea
reported areaa
lle Y117 m1Be4
and
1
t
waa h1D4ctft.A
pnpae
1245 D o m p ~ reportecl theJ ~ r e ln OODtaet wlth the enaD7, ac l the i r aappor t lq
tanka were enaP.na ~ : : n e m J
t a r p t a .
Remarks,
references
to Appendices and
initials
M.P.U. U
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
21/65
W R DI RY
40/P B/87 (9/42)
R
Instr:uctioiU
regarding preparatio.n of
War Diaries (which will be kept from first
day of mobilization, creation or embodi
ment), are contained
in
F.S. Regs. Vol.
1.
OTitle pages
will be
prepared.
INTELLIGENCE
SUMM RY
Original,
duplicate 'and
triphcate to be
forwarded to 0 .
i / c
2nd
E ~ e l o n for disposal.
/
Place
Date
Hour
In the F l ~ U 20
ITALY
we
44
1 5
Erase heading not required)
Summary
of Events and
Information
(oonti
mteci)
CompanJ
reported
tbat
the ;
~ r 8
8luwl7
a4vano1na. TheJ ha4
'
oaaaaltiea
and
were aak1ng
formedioal
aiel.
~ h e y
reportecl
that the12" Company
had o o n o l l d a ~ e d in t ta area ot 335155
m 4
that
C
C o m ~ 8 Y
w ~ r e advanoiug t h ~ U g h
them.
0
Company
reper ted tha t the7 were
eng&&1nl the
c:u eaJ
1
with
the a u p p o ~ t o'f t a u a
1n the
v1o1nity
o:f
the
Charoh. The7
ware
makl.na aoo4
pNar
C Oompan7 r8per te i
that they bad driven off
a
o o U A t ~ r att .ak an4 were
aow
being
hean l 7 belled.
aD.4
raortancl b;y the enem7. The7 aue4
t o r a r t 7 f l r e
to
be
la1. d on
the enemy poai t1ol'la.
The
J/
o. o.
d a ~
or
s.
f.
Thomaon,
deo1dl=ld
that
he would
end
P l a t ~ o n o ~
A
Co7
al.ong the
road and
ahcre a
a r igh t
:tlaDk
pi'Oteotlon
to
0 Company. 0
C o a p ~
reported
many enemJ maahine p n poata in the ohl:lroh :f1r1fl8 oa them.
18 Capt.
D. s. Barle7
1
o. c. 0
CompanJ l1nke4 up
w th the
Lo7al
Edmonton
l iegt oa
the l e t t
:flank,
who
had
reached the o 1.1ter t ~ l n g . a ot the
town, ancl oame
.uuler
oomman4
tha t
Unl
t .
Iarina
0 Comp nJ' at tack
on
the C h ~ r o h whloh wa
t h w ~ e
_
K.G.a, a tank,
and many hal14 srenadea exten111 oyely ae4 and t h ~ w n over t t o l 1 ~ : t
oa to the
forward pla t ton
Lieut.
L.
Robin110n ki l led an4
L1e11t. JialllnlrJ' w'Hm4e4.
C Company
clua
1n
fo r
the nigh t
)Ov
J rd -.elow the i r o- . : eot l f t Wlclergolas
oontant mortar t1re .
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
W R DI RY
M.,PI.M,. u
40/P ;
B/87 ( 9 / 4 . ~ )
;fAAtropti.qn,a
~
p r e P f : P . t ~ q n
of
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
22/65
R
War
Diaries
(which
will
b e kept
from :f1r'st
day of mobilization, creation or emlmdi
ment), are contained in
F .
S Regs. Vol. 1.
l Title pages
will
be
prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original, duplicate and triplicate to
be
forwarded to 0. i/o 2nd Echelon for disposal.
/
Place
In
the Fie ld
ITALY
Date
Hour
2l
:Deo
44
{
0600
1100
lJOU
loOU
Erase heading not required)
Summary
of Events
imd Information
T ~ e Loyal ~ d m o n t u n Regt and
0 Coy
of
~ h e
Seaforth of
C
advanoed in to t he
Soath
and S u ~ t h
~ a a t
~ x t r a m 1 t 1 e a o
t l ~
town,
the ~ d m o n t o n a
adanoed
forward,
aud
C
c0mpa1 l.Y
to
the
area o f
t l ~ Cillll'oh. Thcj :f1g.b.t1ng waa
t i l l a t
f f '
1
bat
good
p r c g r ~ a a wa
made and
i t
appeared
tba t the
town
might
be
o l ~ a r e d bJ nigh t .
However, the enemy
ParatroopEtra
1ou.a whowed the i r in tent ion of
holding
what t hey
had,
wnen they w ~ r e p ~ a h e d
)aok
into ~ h d
centre and
hear t o f
the
town. There,
the buildings
were packed together
and tha
atrt e t
were
narrow, allowing the
Germ A to demol1ah the hua.saa and by
do lug
ao, the a t ree ta
V\lilre
oompletely
blooked.
I t waa
decided t h a t
the Sea:t"orth
0 woul,d
clotaoh ano ther oompany to the
Loyal ~ : d m o n t o n Regt a oonmand to re l i e .Ttf o n ~
o:f
t he i r own coy f rom thEI Job
o:r l e f t
f l ank
pro tso t ion , thua al lowing t he i r un1 t a
oomm1
t ta:l o f
more
t r ~ n g t h for t h ~
t a sk
of houae
clearing.
~ Company
WFlS t o l d off for t h i ~ a
t a . ~ k
;;
_nd
se t
o ~ t
a t
130U
hra,
howe..-er,
the
Brigade
C o m m n a n d ~ r
deoided to
emplo7 a m A1mam
8f for t to
the t a ~ k , a ~ d
ordered the ent i re Batt&lion to alil ilit t h ~
Lo.Yal
~ d m o n ) n Regiment.
/.o'::;t
.All
C o m p a n i ~ a were
- ~ h ~ i r new
pow1
t ionil .
A 0C?Y 330162, BHQ
3.)7;J.
.59,
0 Coy
335li2,
D Coy 3 3 0 ~ 6 5 , B Coy
3351 3.
Remaxks, references
to Appendices and
initials
The c. 0. ' &
and
I . 0. a
J 'eep and
the
22
..-eh1ole mo-yed up to
t h ~
charci:l.
where
.B.H.Q. had jo:.Lned C Coy
H.Q.
Then t h ~ evidence o C CCJmpany'a
a t i f f
f ight
rema1ned,
aa
they
were
bay
lla.rylng
t he i r own and enemy dead.
The
companir:t
oaaual. tie&
being 7 kl . l led m d many . ~ . w u i n d s d du.r1ng the a t t aok on
the
ohuroh.
The e u ~ r n y
htitavily
mortar6d
and
ahdlled the Baatal ion area during the Dight
oauaing aeveral o a a ~ a l t 1 e . 1'he
.Bat .a l ion 'a etrength b ~ i n g at
tha t time
524
a l l
rank
. D Coy
relieYed
an
~ d m o n t o n
Regt
Coy
1n
the
~ . w .
aeotor
of
the
-- ---
W R DI RY
M.P.M. 11
40/P
S/37
(9/42)
Instructions regarding preparation of
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
23/65
R
War Diaries (which will be kept
from
first
day of mobilization,
creation
or embodi-
ment), are contained in F.S. Regs. Vol.
l.
J- 7
Title
pageli will be
prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original,
duplicate
and triphcate to
be
forwarded to 0. i / c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
Plaoe
In
the 11
eld
I ALI
(Eras heading no t ; equired)
Date
Hour
Summary
of
Events
and
Information
22 060C
The ~ n a l l J y
at
ill abe
l l i ng and wo.rtar1.a:.g - t h ~ B . ~ t a l i on a l ' 4 a..
Dee
44 080C
Compan7 waa
oomm1
t t ed
to
the
town
t1ght aBel wera
paahin ap oa
the
le t ' t
~ l u
oom1ng ander
heavy
i;jnew7 M.G. f1re.
09.3C
J } Oompaay .rtipurttsd
~ l l e l l l y o o n o ~ u t r a . t l o n .
lO
JC Mo:t
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
24/65
R
War Diaries (which
will
be
kept
from
first
day
of mobilization, creation or embodi
ment),
are
c
ontained in F.S. Regs.
Vol . 1.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original,
duplicate
and triplicate to be
forwarded to
Q.
i 2nd Echelon for disposal.
g.
T i t l e pagea
will
be
prepared.
Erase heading
not
required)
Pl ce
In
t J8 FleJd.
l'IALY
Date Hour
Summary of Events and Information
22
l)r;C
44
2)
~
44
tOOn t1 nu.e d)
Brlsad1@r ~ ~ . H o f : f b 2 f t 1 a ~ e r informed the J/ 0. o. Ma3or s. w Tbomaoll
that
)all
waa DO\V pro notecl
to
tbfl
rsnk
of .v'Lt.-ool.
200) Compao.1 moY Ctd
tn.to
tbe So lth ~ a t 1eotor of
the
to pr lor to plopc : . :d
1nto the
f lght 1n tbe
ear l J
morn1ns.
U e a t .
W.D. Re1d took CJver the
d u t 1 ~
c t
A d ~ u t a n t u
capt. LS.
l lar look
1000
1100
lJOO
le i t for Bngland on 1Dter chRDp.
SpaaocH.o ~ b J I 7 b e l l i ~
of tb:i
m
a :ca
dllrlng the n ~ t an4 iD
th.a
ear l7
morning ~ v . n . Capt a oha.ll81
9
o. c. ~ OvmpanJ went forward
at t l rn
lipt
to
t.be
l e f t of
tm l.oJ-.1
~ 4 m o D t o n
tteg1meu"'
to
reooe t ~ t a1 t - t l oA
feat ot
the
mH1n
a t ree t ,
IlL
t.h a u ew
t:;,
mo-ye
l:J1 oompany into
tha.t aeotor
to
o l e u
ou-:;
ont.. m.J
there .
The c. o. ,VLt. ool. s. w.
TllomaoD
went forward to cUreot.
Bl:l
operat1ona fl'Qa
a yaa.1age pod
1o.a, aeleot1D
a t a l l 1Nallc11ng 1n
the
ma1D
eq
e.
the
water
tnaolt a r r l Y ~ d
a t B.B.Q.
aDd waa aoat wel.oo aa
al l the wella 1A
the
town had a o n ~ 4rJ.
/ ~ . ,
7
cem7
m o r ~ a r l n s JLB.Q.
area.., B;CompaDJ
JDOYed u.p tv the l e f t flank ot
Uae
Lo1al
~ d m o n t o n
Rest. men t U
C&rr.lera
arr1Ye4
at
J L B . ' ~
1ll th t i le
r a ~ l o n a and e aeAt
to
the i r
reap
1
n
OoJ
Remarks,
references
to Appendices and
initials
W R DI RY
M.P .M. 11
40/P
S/37 (9/42)
Instructions
regarding
preparation
of
War
Diaries
(which will be
kept
from
first
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
25/65
R
day
of
mobilization, creation or embodi-
ment),
are contained
in F.S. Regs.
Vol.
I.
y
tl
page will
be
prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original, duplicate and
triplicate
to be
forwarded to 0. i 2nd
Echelon
for disposal.
Place
In
the
Field
Ital .7
/
Erase heading
not
required)
Date
Hour
Summary
of
Events
and
Information
2)
DEO
44
24
l4Ul
1730
soc
0 Ol
(Continued)
B Ooy reported tba t they Lad
advanced
50 .varda and had
oEtDOOUJltered
a t i f f enemJ
oppo&1t1on al l
tho
way.
A)Compatly
waa
warned
to prepare tht : l r : v ~ ~ d u g
meal.
and .to... be ready to
moTe
o f ~
in
hcv_r and a ha l f 2
c f
tb; Bat .;b.lion
J\ Tk
guns to
stand
DS A Coy ir1
oaae
they
werG n.o;dded.
A CompailJ moyed
furward and
l1nki.3tt
up
witiJ. B Company.
Th.e oompan1e11 set t led down in
s t rong
d e . t . ~ n l i
ve po:.1 t1on for
ti l
oA1ght.
The
tnat1on now waa t ~ t 3 oorupan1,s WEH e engag&d in the h o u u ~ t.o bonae :f1gh1i1DSt
~ o o m p a n y on the l e f t a nd@
and
:a
o o m p a n i ~ a or the r igh t
fiank1.ug
the Loyal
~ d m o f l t o n Regt. C Comptilly oon1ol
dated
i.n. t.W
area
from B.B. Q.
a t the
Church
3 3
5163
to
the 3 \ ~ U a r e
331165. Interm1
t t ant
\;;nemy
ahel l ing
and mortaring 1n
thd Batta l ion area a l l nigh t
The
oompan1aa were
at1l l holding ~ a m a posit1o.na
deap1 te
heavy
e n ~ t m y ahall
and
mortar f1 re.
08CJ(
1
Cffloer end
8
other
rank.
reinforcement
a
ar r ived
and were ae.at out
to
A 007
w h o a ~ atrenath waa badly
depleted.
The
night lad
bden
a ~ ~ r y
t rying
one
tor
the oompan1ea, aa the enem7 were uaing deUlol1 t iona extenll1Tley and t he i r pltrola
were
quitQ
aolve wlth g r ~ L a d e a and maohina p1tola .
A
number of hoQ
blew
up
du.rlng
the hou ra of
darkneaa.
1 ,( Today,
the objeot1'Yea
were, a
la rge
demol1lilhed ohuroh, t be
town
aehool, mel
oomn1and
ot
d ~ u ~ d
borae
Square, eo
named
beo1:111ae
of a
dead
horae
lJi .ng 1n
the
oentre
ot the
Square.
Remarks, references
to
Appendices and
initials
W R DI RY
M.ii'.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
Instructions
regarding
preparation
of
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
26/65
OR
War Diaries
(which will
be kept
from
first
day of mobilization, creation or embodi
ment),
are contained
in F.S. Regs.
Vol.
1.
Jv . . ,
Title page& will
be
prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original, duplicate
and triplicate to be
forwarded
to
0. i/
c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
/ .
Place
lJl the Fie
14
ITALY
Erase heading not required)
Date Hour
Summary of Events and Information
24
D ~ C
C o n t i n ~ . ; d )
44 000
These building" boWl were 81 tua te4 1n th.1 aqaare and. ooueqae.ldlJ , u
approach i:;r;
them :fl'Om thtt oompany peal 1o.ila
n e o e a a i ~ a t e 4
n r y bol4 e f fo r t
.20
00
y. po L o s V. re ~ U i . D t 2 d b7 .o1ght:fall.
A/ 1
0
t
asa1nat bv.ildlnga 1n the area ot
to r11f t"d M.G. poata.
The
Q.fll. capt. D
B.
Oroa.
m d
a ta f t ,
b r o ~ t g l l t
oook lq eqll l}aeat
an4
1-Jpl1ea
ap to B. . ~ . 111 the chLU'oh,
1n
prapAaativll : tor i J l l r i l l t a a t ~ I4nner.
500
l h ~
Padl'ti
taJ
ur. R. c . I
IAlrllfcra. ar:ri ved a t B H . ~ . po1ntedl.J
retA&rkiq
oa
on lig 9 n ~ r a n c e J Well, at l as t I ~
got
you al l
l a Obaroh .
1'h" ga4H 1
alwaJ
eqaal
to
oooa11Jii1ona
aud
. l l t I Y C ~ r
t a i l
to
oa1.1ae a deo1cl . d
Rpl 1tt
ln
aplr l t where"r
b8 a o ~ .
510
Bl'J.
gade
Beadquarter2 roported
tha t ,
ln the
111ght
the e n 7 had oal.led :for
rs l ;doroamanta u t ~ 1 r o a a a l 1aa
ar lq the :ft.ght1ng
in the town
hacl uea
h ip
1530
B Oompan1 .rported ~ h e J ha4 olteened A oomp& lJ on the i r o b ~ a o t i n
and
tbat
81lpport1ns
tanka were 4o1q a ~ a d ~ r : t a l . Jo'b
of
Ul .aat iq
t= &llelll7 011
o-r
hoG
liein:t:oroementa
1noladi.o.a
6 O:C.t'1cera
ar.d
85
other
.ranka ar : r in4 a t
:a.
H . ~
anonaat thtna l:te1q man7 famillar i aoea. MaJor J . Qowan
at
.r .Aohdloa
ad
posted
them
to
t he i r
reapeot1
..,
oomp81l1ea
be:tore
theJ
l e f t
there.
Remarks,
references
to Appendices and
initials
W R DI RY
M.F.M.
ll
40/P
S/37
(9/42)
Instructions regarding
preparation
of
War Diaries (which
will be
kept from first
8/10/2019 52. War Diary December 1943 (all).pdf
27/65
R
day of mobilization, creation or embodi
-
ment), are
contained
in
F.S. Regs. Vol. 1.
Title pages will
be
prepared.
INTELLIGENCE SUMM RY
Original, duplicate and triplicate
to be
forwarded to 0. i / c
2nd
Echelon for disposal.
Place
In the
.Field
lT,Al,Y
Date
Hour
24
:D so
4 4
liOO
25
44
1700
1800
Erase heading not required)
Summary of Events
and
Information
( Con.t1nu0d)
Major
::
o.
B
Yanoe
o.
o.
.A
Coy
waa
reporte.d
ldll- .4
in
aot1on
and Capt.
BaxleJ
aeaamed
Oom and
of the
Oorupany.
L1
ettt .
w 1:1 liyD.dl' laD. r_m d
l:ii
i\L k P l a ~ oon Rf..rt:; plao3d Wld'ldl wb1.oll
waa
proving
an
~ n d m y strong
p o ~ n t
t h i ~
~ ~ o t o r
waa
too cluaa ~
eoya
fer
the ar l i i l l a ry nppo. r t , hows,.er, t h ~ houl lea
were aaoe:afully
encage4.
The Companies were aov n ter ing
heaTy
~ n e m y oppos i t ion around Dsad Horae Sqaare
A OompanJ
reporte4 that
theJ
bad one aeotiOJl
1n the
ohlltch
b1
t t e r ~ 1 f ight inc
tl'l;:t
Germana
who . r s
at
one end
of
t le ohllroh, la1le
oha.rch
now
belng ll r u n .
Tha e n . ~ y
tve
oompaniea were eaoonntar1ng were a fo1'D11dabl.tt foe, ~ h e Paratrooper
the
cream
of
the
German
A.rmJ,
Teter1ma on
CJ.any war
hRIJaia,
Africa, lranoe
S1o1l7, and wttre
inatru.oted by
thei r OtJi ~ r to 11.ght to the l aa t
mall.
During
the
day, the
compar.ie
had
advanoet
yery alowly,
aDd
nt
D1ght
were
1n
the paoD.l1ar p O a 1 t l on of being
in
the
aame
bldlding a a the t sneq, aaa l l laan4
grenade sor t ie taking plaoe a l l llie;ht.
One
aeoilaGJl
of A oompany cained control of t.hd ao.bocl, 1 d . p 1 ~ g
out
n1tanoe,
but the
enemy
ltlew prepared ohargea under the
'nlild1na,
bu.rJiag fi of the men.
A:ttempta
to aet
the
men out
WE re
unfHI.oceaa1'al.l.
'he Q.
Ivi
Capt. l . B. Cameron apent a
'bu7 morn1n1
t 1 x l q 11p 4eta1la f'or
the
Ohrtatmaa
l)1nner to be he ld 1n th8 aha.roh oooapld ._,
.B.Jl.
Q. The Proteot lye
Groap aent part ie
of men
arowul
nund ho 1n
the
to oo l l eo t1q
Clhinaware.
Remarks,
references
to Appendices and
initi W
8/10/2019 5
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