THE IRISH OF WAR DIARY SEPTEMBER 1944

MONTECCHIO 1 Sept 44 The first day of the month found the Irish Regiment completing the breakthrough of the Gothic Line. It was on this morning that the Regiment was informed that it was to take Tomba di Pesara that same day. The had passed through the Regiment the night before to occupy Mt. Marrone (MR 9979 Sheet 109) which enabled the Regiment to move forward to il Casone, a ridge running eastward from Marrone and overlooking Tomba di Pesara which stood on the next ridge north. During the day the PLDGs occupied Hill 253 to the east of Tomba di Pesaro, and operation which protected the Regiment’s right flank. TAC HQ was set up at il Casone from which the whole operation could be watched. The zero hour was 1945 hrs that evening. C Company, under Capt. Bill Mitchell, together with C Squadron of the 8th New Brunswick Hussars under Capt. Bill Elder crossed the valley from il Casone and came up into the town from the left. D Company under Capt. Frank Southby and A Company under Major George Macartney remained on il Casone as a firm base. Except for a few men from the 1st Para A/T , the town was unoccupied, and the Unit formed upon it’s perimeter.

Killed Deforest WC Pte B146240 A Coy KIA 440901 Wounded O’Brien R Pte C113204 wounded 440901 Hawkins AE Pte F35183 wounded 440901 Heard WC A/CSM B78599 blast chest 440901

2 Sept 44 TAC moved into a spacious house in Tomba de Pesara, formerly an enemy Regimental HQ. During the day, the enemy subjected the Regiment to heavy shelling, which at times became intensive. It was expected that the Regiment would remain there for a few days. The first troops to enter the town had painted “Bobby Clarkeville” on a wall, in honour of the CO, with the additional note “In bounds to all Canadian Troops”. Since the Westminster Regiment had passed through the Regiment in the early morning, it was felt that they would settle down for a few days rest. Preparations were under way on all sides of comfortable quarters and good messing facilities. This was truly intended to be an ”Irish Town”.

Wounded Causton AE Pte B138229 right, left legs serious 440902 MacDonald JRN Pte B78604 wounded 440902 McCowan JX Pte B146506 wounded in back 440902

3 Sept 44

1 During the night 2/3 September, orders came for the Regiment to move up to area S Maria Pietrafitta (MR 9682 sheet 109) where in the morning they came under command of the 5th CAB. It was expected that little resistance would be met by the 5th CAB between the River Conca and Rimini. Therefore, the Irish Regiment, under command of the British Columbia Dragoons was to work forward together as far as well Rimini, with the tanks ahead and the infantry clearing small pockets of resistance. Unfortunately, however, the enemy decided the make a stand on the Coriano Ridge (MR 8689 Sheet 109) thus blocking the crossing of the Marano River. Therefore, from the moment the Westminster Regiment and the LSH crossed the Concha River (MR 9485 Sheet 109), they met resistance from small rear guard parties of armour and SP guns.

4 Sept The Regiment moved to the riverbed of the Concha but still there was no indication that the operation could go forward as planned. Finally it was established that the enemy was holding along the line of the River Marono and the three units of the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade reverted from command of the 5th CAB. The Irish Regiment was ordered to occupy the Besanigo Ridge on the night of 4/5 September where they would relieve the Westminster Regiment and also proved a relief to elements of the 1/4 Hants Regiment who had crossed Corps Boundary into the Regiment’s area on their forward drive towards Marano. Irish forward elements were dug in at MR 895870 Sheet 109 by the morning of 5 September.

Wounded Armstrong DW Pte B110192 C Coy shrapnel temple 440904

MONTECCHIO 5 Sept 44 It was the Brigade’s intention to cross the Marano River and to occupy the San Lorenzo feature (MR 8988 Sheet 109) some 3,000 yard beyond. With this in mind, the Battalion moved forward as far as Besanigo. There it was obvious that Coriano, on the left flank and to the rear, had not been captured by the British as had previously been reported With this dominating feature threatening the Regiment’s left flank, any movement across the Marano River was rendered impossible.

Casualties Killed Cummings EL Pte B79104 KIA 440905 Wounded Tench WG Cpl B78713 wounded 440905 Jackson RO Pte A60141 shell comp frac left toe 440905 Hayter RE Pte F59986 shell buttock, right side of back 440905 Haight R Pte B78641 amp left leg, shrapnel left finger 440905 Jackson RO Pte A60141 gsw siw 440905

2 MONTECCHIO 6-9 Sept 44 For four days, each day expecting the news that Coriano had fallen, the Irish Regiment held the Besanigo Ridge under constant and intensive shell fire and mortaring. It was reported that the Church of S Andres, in Besanigo, in which TAC was situated for two days was hit almost 40 times in four days. It was obviously a favourite enemy target, sitting sky-lined on the ridge, and only much merry comment over their predicament prevented the unpleasantness of numerous casualties for discouraging their determination to stick to the ridge. Pte Gordon Joseph Hickson A47519, a stretcher bearer in A Company, was recommended for mention in Dispatches. During the attack on the Gothic Line on August 31, in spite of heavy fire, at no time was Pte Hickson in a slit trench, but was continuously exposed to the fire attending to all wounded. On September 7, Battalion HQ was being heavily shelled and mortared when three gunners from the 4th Anti-Tank Regiment were hit. Despite the shell fire, Pte Hickson and another medical orderly rendered first aid to them and carried them into a shelter.

Casualties Killed Gracie PJ Pte F35391 KIA 440906 Sanders HA Pte B79027 KIA 440906 Thomas HE Pte B79536 shoemaker C KIA 440907 Wounded Vaughan DM Pte B79408 shell left leg 440906 Foote AF Pte C75142 dvr op C shell left, right thighs, buttocks 440906 Wilkinson W Pte B74361 shell chest , concussion 440906 Brant L Pte C120655 shell thigh, laceration left eye 440906 Glass IE Pte B131185 shell right leg 440906 Staley A Sgt B79034 shell left leg 440906 Severin JJ Pte A108264 shll right ring finger, laceration left little finger 440906 Keeble TP Pte B136434 B Coy shell left thigh, left arm, left jaw 440906 Black DG L/Sgt B79368 gsw leg 440906 Tinney HL Pte B148426 C Coy shell left hip 440906 Hamilton H Pte B79312 Dvr mech (mv); HE shell left buttock 440906 McArthur DF Pte B147026 shell abdomen 440906 Greck JJ Pte Cpl B78902 shell back, lodged at chest serious 440906 Winn JW Pte B133452 shell amputation 4th 5th fingers left hand 440906 Lawrie DW Sgt B78924 shell punctured left side of skull 440907; died of wounds 441121. Ashley W Pte A108375 A Coy shell left illiac crest 440907 Shalatynski M Pte B24612 Carp B shrapnel back 440907 Rathburn IG Pte A102015 shell right rectoral muscles, biceps, tibia 440907 Marshall WA Pte B146208 D Coy shell left buttock 440907 Spong WF Pte B146941 shell left buttock, left leg 440907 Graham BH Pte B79311 shell small fragment right calf 440907 Warren JW Pte B132776 D Coy gsw right toe suspected siw 440907

3 Pentney RG Pte B103063 shell comp frac left shoulder and left arm 440907 Billington S Pte B103187 D Coy concussion, blast 440907 Gibson ET Pte B79305 blast, laceration of scalp, right thigh 440907 Dorman ME Pte B68864 blast, fragments legs, head 440907 Mason J Sgt B79073 right hand (remained in action) 440908 Thomas AH Pte A107970 A Coy blast injuring left foot 440908 Frost AR L/Cpl B79298 blast injuring back, head 440908 Zwolak AH Pte B105016 shell scalp 440908 Nicks SG SCM B78911 HE shell comp frac left elbow, large wound left leg 440908 Hicks WH L/Cpl B131835 blast injured ear drums, falling debris injured arms, head 440909 Stewart RA Pte B135601 shell right thigh, leg 440909; died of wounds 440917

10 Sept 44 During the night, the Regiment was relieved by the West Nova Scotia Regiment and was taken back to San Giovanni (MR 9684 Sheet 109).

Wounded Capt. Gordon GA shrapnel left leg 440910 Syrette T Pte B145876 burns right hand 440910

11 Sept 44 Acting Major N Hickling and 55 other reinforcements joined the Regiment. The Army made known that its intentions required 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade to capture the Coriano Ridge. After that, the 4th British Division would pass through across the Marano while 1st Canadian Division made a crossing on the right. This operation was to take place on the night of 12/13 September. Meanwhile, the Unit had a chance to clean up and see a show. An enlargement of the Coriano area was made on a blackboard in the Officer’s Mess and with its aid, the CO, Lt-Col RC Clark, made known his proposed plan for the attack to the officers and NCOs of the Battalion.

Casualties Mason J Sgt B79073 cellulitis right hand (result of wound 440908) 440911

12 Sept 44 In the evening the Regiment moved up for the attack on Coriano. An unusual event took place prior to this, however. Officers of the London Irish Rifles joined the officers of the Regiment for dinner at 1830 hrs and wished them well in battle. The senior officers were presented with the light blue feather which the London Irish Officers wear in their bonnets and members of both pipe bands entertained during the dinner. The CO, Lt-Col RC Clark, wore the of the London Irish in his bonnet during the battle the following day.

CORIANO 13 Sept 44

4 The attack formed up behind the Besanigo Ridge. From this feature, the Cape Breton Highlanders moved across the Coriano Ridge, cutting off the town from the north. At the same time, moved across and cut the town off from the south. At 0630 hrs, C Company of the Irish Regiment, under Capt. Bill Mitchell, passed through the CBH’s left flank and began clearing the town from the right. They had the task of clearing the town on the main axis. Mines, mortaring and shelling and snipers all had to be met, and C Company, although its casualties were numerous was lauded afterwards on all sides for the magnificent job it did during the commencement of operations. Sgt. William Festubert Pollard, B79344, platoon sergeant of C Company was recommended for mention in Dispatches. Upon entering Coriano, it was found that the task of clearing the main axis of the town presented greater difficulties than anticipated. The Company wireless had been knocked out in the approach march. In addition, the company was constantly under extremely heavy and accurate machine gun, mortar and shell fire, making the house clearing job a very hazardous one. Without the wireless, they could not direct proper supporting fire. Despite this, Sgt. Pollard’s platoon was able to move well ahead in the town, much farther than had been at first expected CSM Frederick George Joice B88767, C Company, was recommended for mention in Dispatches. During the operation, he constantly circulated among the platoons, encouraging the men, organising prisoners of war and casualty disposals. In general, he set an extremely fine example, thereby furthering the execution of the Regiment’s plan. While this was going on, A Company was giving protection to RCE Sappers who were bridging the Besanigo River, a small stream which flowed through the valley before the Coriano Ridge. Fire from a high feature on the south-west edge of Coriano, known as Castella, seriously hampered the progress of the clearing, until C Squadron of the 8th New Brunswick Hussars under Major McEwen neutralised it with gun and machine gun fire. Meanwhile D Company moved through C Company and completed the clearing of the town from north to south, while B Company, under Capt. Bill Elder took up a position on the right flank, also covering the Castello feature. During this operation Major Frank Southby, OC D Company was seriously wounded. When efforts made by the medics to remove him were met with enemy sniping and machine gun fire, an 8th New Brunswick Hussars tank picked him up through an escape hatch from the underside of the tank. Major Armstrong went into Coriano and took over command of D Company. Major Southby later died from his wounds. Elements of 2 and 3 of 29 Panzer Grenadiers Regiment held the town together with a few Mark IV Special Tanks, one of which was knocked out and one captured intact.1 The main part of the town was cleared by the night of 13/14 September after 11 hours of fighting. About 60 prisoners were passed back.

Casualties Killed

1 This tank, bearing a suitably inscribed plate with the crests of the Irish Regiment and the 8th New Brunswick Hussar, was later presented by both units to Major General Hoffmeister.

5 Carbery J Pte B79144 KIA 440913 Eld WL A/Cpl B103173 KIA 440913 Gannon WA A/Cpl C75167 KIA 440913 Hardy R Pte B78569 KIA 440913 Hayes EJ L/Sgt B56433 KIA 440913 Hines CW Pte B143897 KIA 440913 Horlock LG Pte B17452 B Coy, KIA 440913 Maling NM Pte F134869 KIA 440913 McCracken WR Pte B79929 C Coy, KIA 440913 McGillian WJ A/Cpl B103184 KIA 440913 McMillan A B134869 KIA 440913 McPherson HA Pte C5869 KIA 440913 Mines CW Pte B143987 KIA 440913 Old WL A/Cpl A103173 KIA 440913 Pirie JR Pte B79343 KIA 440913 Williams EJ Pte B79409 C Coy KIA 440913 Weirmeir EJ Pte C120143 died of wounds 440913 Wounded Capt A/Major Southby FE wounded 440913; Major died of wounds 441007 Capt. Statten T (RCAMC) wounded 440913 Lt. Lyons EF wounded 440913 Lt. Hunter RJ HE shell both ankles 440913 Joice FG CSM B88767 HE shell right thigh 440913 Blackwell HJR Pte B79282 shell multiple pin points of lower extremities 440913 Brown GF L/Cpl B79047 wounded 440913 Bushell CS Pte C120749 HE shell right arm 440913 Cardwell J Pte B79615 wounded 440913 Collins HA Pte B68700 mine right leg, foot, partial amputation 440913 Cowles WH Pte B79996 C Coy wounded 440913 Crampton TAG Pte C101814 HE shell lumbar region, comp frac spine 440913 Dalybozyk J Pte B157148 A Coy HE shell thigh, back 440913 Fitzpatrick PG Pte A558 A Coy HE shell left posterior thigh 440913 George AM L/Cpl B143562 C Coy HE shell left buttock 440913; died of wounds 440922 Gibson WJ Pte B45853 A Coy HE shell left calf, thigh 440913 Hammond ER Pte B79497 A Coy HE shell scalp 440913 Himphen RC Sgt B79066 wounded 440913; died of wounds 441012 Holloway HO Pte B145562 C Coy HE shell both legs, left hand, left ankle 440913 Johnston FJ A/CSM B49264 gsw t&t back 440913 Kimbell LC Pte B79471 A Coy amputation left leg, comp frac right arm 440913 LeGrand WW Pte B65055 HE shell scalp, left forearm 440913 Litt KHJ A/Cpl B134070 HE shell right thigh 440913 Lockhart HG Pte B79472 HE shell back, neck 440913 Lofquist K A/Cpl B139214 HE shell t&t left thigh, right elbow, thigh, back 440913 Lusty C Pte B79389 HE shell scalp 440913 MacDonald RAC L/Cpl B52463 C Coy mortar right breast, muscular 440913

6 MacLean CJ Pte B79767 HE shell right shoulder, right leg 440913 Merrifield WVC L/Cpl C130630 HE shell right shoulder, right ankle 440913 Mitchell AW Pte B113242 D Coy mine amputation right foot, wound right arm, posterior calf 440913 Mowat D Pte B146799 HE shell right arm 440913 Nixon EL Pte B79239 D Coy mine laceration of lower leg, left upper arm 440913 Nockridge GP Pte B58973 HE shell right chest, both legs, right arm 440913 O’Brien WD Cpl B79012 HE shell right thigh, leg, right shoulder 440913 O’Hara JF Sgt B130747 comp frac right hand, superficial wounds thigh, penis 440913 Popiluk J Pte B115929 A Coy wounded 440913; died of wounds 441030 Pusitz L Pte B21408 A Coy mortar shrapnel back, buttocks 440913 Reid CF Pte C120321 wounded 440913; died of wounds 440917 Reid OC Pte B134373 C Coy gsw (mg) t&t right thigh 440913 Shields C Cpl B79351 wounded 440913; died of wounds 440915 Smith RJA Pte B148541 A Coy HE shell small wounds body 440913 Steele RA Pte B42669 D Coy mine left foot, right leg 440913 Stefineshen T Pte B22293 HE shell contusion, back, legs 440913 Walker NG Pte F55758 HE shell penetrating left chest, right leg 440913 Waterhouse GC Pte B146789 C Coy HE comp frac right hiemeius, crushed ribs 440913 Weimeir SC Pte C120743 C Coy HE shell abdomen penetrating chest 440913 White LE Pte B149663 A Coy HE shell left face 440913 Wilson LM A/Cpl B132816 gsw (rifle) right chest, abdomen t&t 440913

Missing Palmer JH Pte C65488 Missing 1200 hrs 440913

Handwritten Note

Casualties Co K W Awl Missing Sp 1 1 A 1 16 1 3 B 2 3 2 C 6 20 1 5 D 2 9 2 12 49 2 12

859 36 823 36 53 33 870

7 14 Sept. 44 In the morning, the operation was completed with the clearing of the Casello feature. During the day, the 4th British Division passed through the Regiment, enabling them to move back to San Giovanni during the night.

Wounded Line O L/Cpl B68871 gsw (mg) left chest, left wrist, elbow 440914

15 Sept. 44 The town of San Giovanni made an ideal rest town. It was virtually undamaged by battle and contained fine accommodation for movies, messes, showers and canteens. Under the supervision of Mr. Fred Brett, YMCA, a large home was turned into “Irish House” in which reading and writing accommodations were provided, as well as a liberal supply of wine purchased from canteen funds. There were three movie houses in town which were well patronised at all times, and the “Y” was fortunate not only in securing chocolate bars but in receiving frequent batches of cookies from the nearby Division Cooking School. The Regiment had a chance during this period to clean-up the necessary routine maintenance and above all, to rest after a long and strenuous operation which began with the cracking of the Gothic Line at Hill 120.

16 Sept. 44 Brigadier Johnston received a letter from General Sir C. Lease, congratulating the Brigade on the taking of Coriano. The funeral was held for Cpl. Shields who died wounds and a few days later of Pte. Stewart of the Scout Platoon. The Irish Cemetery was not far from San Giovanni, and in both cases the lads were accorded full military honours. The Pipe Band played while the bodies were escorted from the lines and also at the graveside. A firing party was chosen and a platoon of the dead men’s friends attended the service.

17 Sept. 44 A Memorial Service for the wounded and slain was held this morning at 0900 hrs. The CO, Lt.-Col. RC Clark, read the roll of the Regiment’s dead. Both Major General B Hoffmeister and Brigadier IS Johnston were present. The sermon was delivered by Padre D Rowland. Later the RC personnel attended Mass in the Church of San Giovvnni. March past i/c WOs in honour of losing six WOs since Gothic Line.

18 Sept. 44 During the period the Regiment spent in San Giovanni, the London Irish Rifles were in the line. However, their pipe band visited the Irish Regiment’s pipe band and the two, as a mass band, in kilts, paraded through the town and before the Officers Mess where the CO, Lt.-Col. RC Clark, received the two Pipe Majors. The streets were crowded with soldiers of every unit who applauded a performance which was startling in the finished work which was shown by the two bands.

19 Sept. 44

8 Trips to the beach at Cattolica, south of Riccione were arranged during the rest period. There, swimming in the Adriatic plus the services of the Y Canteen provided entertainment for the men.

20 Sept. 44 The weather changed and rain began to fall. The Battalion was put on 12 hours notice to move. This was later changed to 6 hours notice.

21 Sept. 44 It was reported that the 1st Canadian Division had crossed the Marecchio River and that Rimini had fallen to the Greeks. The weather continued to be miserable.

22 Sept. 44 Service strips were issued to the Battalion. Preparation was made to change from summer drill into battle dress, effective 23 September.

23 Sept. 44 At 1630 hrs. the Regiment moved off from San Giovanni and followed “Boat Route” to a new location just south of the Marecchio River at MR 812957, Sheet 101. The move was carried out on a very dark night, against which the artificial moonlight of the countless searchlights provided some relief.

24 Sept. 44 The Unit remained in the concentration area. The CO, Lt.-Col. RC Clark, visited 12 Canadian Infantry Brigade HQ and Lt.-Col. Darling of the PLDGs since it was expected that the Irish would be relieving the PLDGs who at that time were fighting their way past Casale and San Vito, north of the lateral road between Santa Cangel and Rimini.

25 Sept. 44 The Regiment moved to a concentration area just across the Marecchio River near “Boat Route” where they proceeded to marry up with the tank regiment, which to the pleasure of all ranks, was once again the 8th NBH under Lt.-Col. G Robinson.

26 Sept. 44 In the evening the Irish Regiment relieved the 89/109 Regiment of the 12 Canadian Infantry Brigade, and took up their position just across the Uso River a few hundred yards north of San Vito. A patrol under Lt. A Falzetta proceeded as far as the Salto River where they encountered enemy resistance.

SAN MAURO 27 Sept. 44 In the morning, B Company under Major Bill Armstrong moved up across the Salto. A Company under Capt. Pat O’Brien passed through B Company and moved up to a position on the outskirts of the village of San Mauro. By late afternoon, B Company had moved to a firm position behind them and D Company under Capt. TA Popplewell

9 had crossed the Salto north east of B and A Companies. C Company remained in reserve on the near side of the Salto. It was ordered by higher formation that a crossing of the Rubicon, west of San Mauro should be made. A Company moved up to do this and due to a peculiar atmospheric condition in this area, was shortly afterwards out of wireless communication and even though a relay station was immediately sent out, the Company remained out of contact. During the night of 27/28 September, B Company moved up the bank of the Rubicon in order to strengthen A Company in its push and to pass through if necessary. C Company moved up to A Company’s old position just east of San Mauro at about 1800 hrs.

Casualty DeMaeyer FL Cpl B79290 carp B exhaustion 440927

Killed Kelly JF A/Cpl B79546 KIA 440927 Townsend R A/Cpl B79134 KIA 440927 Brown SO Pte B130647 KIA 440927 Smith CE Pte B21773 C Coy KIA 440927 Duff HC Pte B103199 C Coy KIA 440927 Bendall AE Pte U1867 B Coy KIA 440927 Lane CM A/L/Cpl B146567 KIA 440927 Gunther HA A/Cpl H8058 KIA 440927/28 Wounded Lt. HP Heming gsw right wrist 440927 Coulis JA Pte B136516 fractured right metacarpal 440927 Poirier H Pte D26864 shrapnel cheek, right elbow 440927 O’Brien S Pte (L/Cpl) B79240 shrapnel abdomen 440927; died of wounds 440927 Anderson RH Pte (L/Cpl) B78859 shrapnel left thigh 440927 Hinds LW A/Sgt B78691 shrapnel left knee 440927 Herron RJ Pte F35243 gsw t&t right thigh 440927 Nangle WB Pte B133167 both legs, right shoulder, elbow, arm, frac right ankle 440927 Kennard AH A/L/Cpl B143120 scalp, right arm serious 440927 Davis WR Pte H70612 t&t right chest 440927 Chatham JL Sgt C79325 gsw right chest serious 440927 Beckley CN A/Cpl B81249 peg mine left thigh, calf, heel, right thigh, right calf 440927 Wilson WD Pte B65914 A Coy shell right ankle, left shoulder 440927 McQuinn KF Pte B127654 B Coy shell right side 440927

SAN MAURO 28 Sept. 44 The first news of the events of the night before were made known when Major Armstrong reported to TAC HQ in the afternoon. A reconstruction of the action up to that point brought to light the fact that A Company had crossed the Rubicon early in the

10 morning and had formed up some 300 yards west of it. Being hard pressed by enemy infantry and tanks, they sent word back to Major Armstrong who had by this time brought his company close to the Rubicon. Major Armstrong took a platoon with him and proceeded across the river to contact A Company and plan whatever assistance he might give. With him went Lt. Asselstine, RCCS, with additional signal equipment. However upon arrival at A Company’s last known postion, they found that the Company had evidently been surrounded, some killed and the remainder captured. Upon reporting this to TAC HQ, Major Armstrong was ordered to withdraw his Company to a position south of San Mauro on the San Mauro - Savignano Road, where he was in contact with British troops on his left, and with tanks of C Squadron 8 NBH who had throughout the action provided him with covering fire, and had actively engaged enemy SP guns and snipers. At one time, men from B Company along the Rubicon engaged a Tiger Tank with Tommy and Brens while a PIAT was being brought to a firing position. The enemy tank withdrew. A proposed relief by the 89/109 Regiment did not take place and the recce parties of that Unit which had been sent up returned to the rear area.

Missing O`Brien M. Capt. MIA - PW 440928 Boody GH Lt. MIA - PW 440928 Vipond JR Lt. MIA - PW 440928 Lalonde MJ Pte B136580 MIA 440928 Neilly SR CSM B78512 MIA -PW 440928 Henderson JR Sgt B79381 MIA -PW 440928 Moore S L/Sgt B79331 A Coy PW 440928 Murphy FJ A/Cpl B79526 MIA -PW 440928 Brown HA L/Cpl D156111 MIA -PW 440928 Gallagher PJ L/Cpl B55816 A Coy PW 440928 Kelly JM L/Cpl B144971 A Coy PW 440928 Corbett AE L/Cpl C36557 MIA -PW 440928 Hickson GJ A/Cpl A47519 MIA -PW 440928 Oliver J Sgt B79340 MIA -PW 440928 Morris HE L/Cpl B79393 MIA -PW 440928 Adamson WJ Pte B126638 A Coy PW 440928 Austin HWJ Pte D77991 MIA -PW 440928 Bachle WJ Pte B11446 A Coy PW 440928 Belgue RO Pte B127506 MIA -PW 440928 Beney AE Pte A105070 A Coy PW 440928 Bryan PA Pte B68917 A Coy PW 440928 Collins WH Pte B22527 A Coy PW 440928 Copp W Pte B143177 A Coy PW 440928 Duncan MB Pte B157959 A Coy PW 440928 Dusome D Pte B119477 A Coy PW 440928 Gordon JJ Pte B79308 A Coy PW 440928 Grout AL Pte B65078 A Coy PW 440928 Gooding VD Pte B77696 A Coy PW 440928

11 Greensward Pte GK B130727 A Coy PW 440928 Hardacre KW Pte B137954 A Coy PW 440928 Harthorne EJ Pte C31741 MIA -PW 440928 Hirons E Pte B119497 A Coy PW 440928 Hopkinson JA Pte F60428 MIA -PW 440928 Hould IJE Pte B142469 A Coy PW 440928 Huffman TJ Pte B32540 A Coy PW 440928 Jerry J Pte B145913 A Coy PW 440928 Johnston NF Pte B142992 A Coy PW 440928 McAnulty RA Pte H8255 A Coy PW 440928 McCormick RW Pte B148799 A Coy PW 440928 McGillivray JE Pte B79450 MIA -PW 440928 McCord JE Pte B79170 MIA 440928 Rowbotham CM Pte B137404 A Coy PW 440928 Saunders P Pte B85290 A Coy PW 440928 Scott WS Pte B134839 MIA -PW 440928 Steele DA Pte L104032 A Coy PW 440928 Wain DJ Pte B78622 MIA -PW 440928 MacDonald JA Pte B146914 A Coy PW 440928 Selby JE Pte D86184 A Coy PW 440928 Edwards D B78795 MIA -PW 440928 Vezina JL Pte B79565 MIA -PW 440928 Bowles JW Pte K50676 MIA -PW 440928 Birch GW Pte B134483 MIA -PW 440928 Lowcock GR Pte B78865 MIA -PW 440928 Boisonneault JH Pte B24240 Sp (P) MIA -PW 440928 Condie WT Pte B134556 MIA -PW 440928 Dart HS Pte B65668 MIA -PW 440928 Ridler FW Pte B142305 HQ Coy MIA -PW 440928

Killed Beauchamp JAO Pte C103087 A Coy KIA 440928/30 Guy JA Pte B115519 A Coy KIA 440928/30 O’Hara MJ Pte B142820 A Coy KIA 440928/30 Taylor RJ Pte B133367 A Coy KIA 440928/30 Wilson JC Pte B130262 A Coy KIA 440928/30 Wounded Lt. Drynan GK gsw (mg) left arm 440928 McKeen WA Pte C48001 wounded 440928 Roe AR Pte (L/Cpl) B87069 collapsed building injured back 440928 Dineen JJ Pte B138339 shell left leg 440928 Hanthorn CW Pte B111832 gsw creased forehead 440928 Cundari A Pte B144242 mine right upper chest 440928 Cooper LR Pte B27505 laceration scalp 440928 Ramsay G A/Sgt B78760 HE shell amp left leg, penetrating back, chest, right arm serious 440928

12 Barden LH Pte B134588 shell penetrating left foot 440928 McGowan JI Pte C102237 B Coy gsw back 440928 Haines R Pte B79520 gsw t&t comp frac right arm 440928 Martin NJ Pte B78744 perf eardrum, eye injury 440928 Fleming TW Pte G51076 frac left arm, laceration index finger 440928

SAN MAURO 29 Sept. 44 D Company moved to a position 500 yards north of San Mauro. In the morning, Lt. General Burns GOC, 1st , and Brigadier Johnston visited the CO, Lt.-Col. RC Clark, at TAC.

Killed Bulloch J Pte C101993 A Coy KIA 440929 Horton GM Pte B145540 B Coy KIA 440929 Meagher JGJ Pte C103414 KIA 440929 Durocher LJ Pte B68562 KIA 440929 Wounded Stunell GE A/Cpl B79481 wounded 440929 Pillipow J Pte L103153 wounded 440929 Tinney WA Pte B97788 A Coy wounded 440929

SAN MAURO 30 Sept. 44 Later in afternoon, D Company was ordered to proceed to a position along their side of the Rubicon which they had patrolled and found unoccupied earlier in the day. This position was north west of San Mauro, and was to tie in with a similar move by the Cape Breton Highlanders on the Regiment’s right, a move planned to deny the enemy access to the Regiment’s side of the river. Just at 1900 hrs, when the move was about to commence, the enemy launched a counter-attack. A spectacular air bombing and strafing was followed by intensive shelling and mortaring all along the front and reports of infantry and tanks crossing in the area of Savignano on the Regiment’s left and in the Perth area on the right flank of the Brigade front. Major Wright, Artillery Regiment from the 17th Field Regiment, Lt. Bookbinder, PLF Rep. from the 11 Canadian Infantry Brigade Support Group and Capt. Lancaster of the Irish 3” Mortar Platoon, laid on their DF tasks in earnest, and a wall of bursting shells, bombs and bullets covered the Regiment’s front. No enemy gained access to Irish FDLs and it was later reported that numerous enemy dead were seen across the river to the Regiment’s front in the area of its DF tasks. The 4.2” Mortar Platoon fired 500 bombs in the two hours during which the counter-attack was in progress. By about 2130 hrs the alarm had died away and the proposed move was carried out. Capt. Mitchell moved C Company up to take over D Company’s old position directly north of San Mauro.

Casualties Wounded Fisher HR Capt. RCAPC gsw t&t right upper arm 440930

13 Crafter EJ Pte B 79554 HE shrapnel right arm and back (superficial) 440930 Maillet JS Pte F2716 HE shrapnel scalp 440930 Peckover JW Pte B133392 D Coy HE shrapnel t&t right shoulder and back 440930 Thorogood AJ Pte B138565 HE shrapnel posterior chest 440930 Francis CV Pte B115862 perforated eardrums 440930 evacuated 441004

On the morning of October 12, 1944, Capt. DP Rowland, Chaplain, The visited the area which was the last known position of A Company. He found that the Company had crossed the Rubicone River and had advanced about 400 yards from the north bank. In the second house on the west side of the highway, he found about 15 pieces of equipment consisting of webbing, rifles and ammunition, piled in a heap with an Irish bonnet resting on top. He moved from there to the third and last house on the west side of the highway at a ‘T’ junction. In this house, which was about 300 yards from the river, he found another pile of equipment consisting of Bren magazines, rifles and steel helmets. About 50 yards west of the house, he found a similar pile piled against a hay stack. This equipment was identified by numbers and names printed on it as the property of the men of A Company. In his preliminary search, he found the bodies of four men of the Irish Regiment, identified by identity discs and pay-books. Since the area was heavily mined Capt. Rowland returned the next day with a party of men with detectors. They made a careful search of the area and working from the directions of an Italian civilian found the buried bodies of five men of A Company. These were disinterred and identified by pay books, rings and letters. He later found another A Company man about 200 yards west of the highway and 100 yards from the north bank of the river. From the condition of the bodies, it appeared that with one exception the men were killed by shell fire. During his investigation of the houses in the area, he concluded that the equipment that was found was left in a manner that indicated that the soldiers who had placed it there had done so under orders. As well, the lack of casualties from small arms fire indicated that, unless the wounded were evacuated by the enemy, any battle that had taken place was neither intense nor prolonged. He concluded that A Company occupied the houses for protection during the impending attempt to bridge the river, and to protect their exposed flanks. From the lack of battle signs and his knowledge of the fighting spirit of the company, he was convinced that either the company was totally surrounded by a numerically superior enemy force, or else tanks with an excellent highway to work on and the knowledge that the bridge was still blown and that Canadian tanks had not crossed the river, moved swiftly in on them.

14