War Diary December 1943 (All) PDF

M.F.M.
UA
(5185)
(H.Q. 1772-39-1658)
SECRET
WAR DIARY
OF
i.
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APPENDICES ..... .. .. ...... ..... ..
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VOLUME ................. .
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91!thQ1 ......

TRIPLICATE
(Strike out where not applicable)
.
; "
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/ 42
OR
Instructions regarding preparation o
War Di!!J'ies (which will be kept rom first
day o mobilization, creation or embodi-
ment), are contained in F.S. Regs. Vol. 1.
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY
. -
Original, duplicate d 'trip.:tcat: to be
orwarded to 0. i j c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
\ 'l'itle pages will be prepared.
(Erase heading not required)
Place
F
Date Hour Infarmat ion
063
08 Lt Col J.D. loriD atten.ed a at B4e B.Q., hia oalled 1111
o- Group or 1000 bra.
1 0 o Group at which the C. o. ou tline-4 the known enem.J 41apoa1 tiona al1ead o ua,
and t;1at the intention was for 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 river S8Jl8l"O during the
Di&ht. Supper ratione to be carried b7 the troops.
Raining, and area turned into aea of au4. Mullh air aativi'Q" oYer the area
during the Ml'lliD&e
o Group, at the C .0. atated there was a wal 1 change 1n plall8. Time fd
marehalling now wou1d be 154 5hra, lllOVe off 16JO bra.
1 Em'buaae-!_and orr 16JO bra, et&ll and a cold R.E. wind 8i lalcnring,
and a ve"r7 1lc.af'ortab1e wet ride
2j4 5 Dewaaed; great.!oata loaded on to Q.M. truak8 and the Bn 1'ormed up or the move
aanea the Rlv-.R 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 releU after beinB .!l'aaped 1n for over 6 bra. The BD transport - left
behind and the troopa aroaae4 the r1nr 011 :foot bridgea ere;.:te4 b7 the Eacint:era.
Dur1Dg the croaa!Ds paaaed element o the 78Ul Dtv1 ping de.1 the lm." for a
reat per1e41 and m111Q1 .h"ulaouroua aDd reDial"ka were band1ed and
between the troopa aa we Je4.
0245 Arr1Yed ill area' $Pel were met by gu14ea, and after 41&giDJr al.1t trenchea
Httled down tUl dNli&bt
06 0 Reveille, P Echel 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
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. ll
o;P & s;a7 (9/42)
OR
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.
Original, duplicate a.nd to be
forwarded to 0. i/ c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
/ .
Place Date Hour
ID the 1 1( 2 0930
'Itaq Deo
43
1115
15
J OoJO
Dec
J 0900
10 0
11400
l G 5
Summary of Events and Information
attending a .::onferen . .::e at B4e u.Q. 'Ule c.o. Lt Col J.D. orin called an
o- Group at which he ata'\84 the BD ... cm 10 ldna not1ae to JIIO'Ve. A a C 003a
an.S Adm1D1avat1on troa B.H.Q. would go f--.rd u far u poaeible riding
on our IIUpport group veh1clea. B - D Co.
1
and balan:Je fd B.H.Q. to arch.
The 1nten t1onwaa for the Brl to take up defenai n poai tiona, 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 riding, moved off, followed by the personnel. N.W. of
!'OSSACESIA debuaae4, and a halt of J bra the 1m mo.edoff to aheet
/47 (t) and were aet by an advance party who guided Ooya to 'their reepective are ...
Cow 4ug 1D, 1D defena1ve poa1t1GD.
Rations were 1aaued and blanke"ta draa. Slight enemy ehelling Jt forw&Nr
the Bn area 1D the e'ftning. Patrol wre aent out durin& tl1e night, md Lieut.
f. !f;uon, led1Dg one patrol met with an . , .!ident fra:::tured hie ani.
for l hour. All. quiet, pa'trola out during the n18ht rt:pol"ted no conta;t
w1 tll the eneJV.
Brig. B.!f. Bof'tae1ater, rta1ted tho o.o., Lt Col J.D. !'orin and outlined 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 at which he eta ted the .Bn not move
until the mornin8
1
when would lMt em i hr notice to llOft at 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
Stantl-toQ 'for 1 hour. Local par'tol.a were laid Gil and a patrol of 2 men f'raA
t!i.8 Scout aect1on to leave at hre to rea::e the area of 350046 Sheet 147
(lV). All quiet during the night.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
WAR DIARY
M .F.M. 11
40/ P & S/87 (9/.2)
OR
War Diaries (which will be kept from first
'J Title pages will be prepared.
Original, duplicate and to be
forwarded to 0. i / c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
/
Place
lD the
Italy
Date Hour
4 0600
Dec
43 0800
0900
1000
1700
'1
2000
2200
Stazul-WO,. Breald"e.at prepared and blankets and pa,;..:ka loaded on to Vehi.:lea and
the Do on i bra to moYe.
party lett to reoce area.
'fwo man patrol from the Scout Pl. reported that tile., had re..;;e4 area aent to and
found no aign of t:-1e en...,.
Bn moved ofi 1n order of mar;ha A - 0 - B.H.Q. - D - B, and arrived 1n the new
area Sq 3608 Sheet 147 (J.V) at 1200 hra. F Eohelon moved into the area and
ratione were drawn_ and meals prepared.
The o.o. Lt Col J.D. lorin a at Bde H.Q.
o- Group a'\ which the c.o. with the aid of a1r1al photograph outlined the Bn
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
plan of aation. The P.P.C.L.I., would advance ane attaok tile town of s.
The Seai'crtha to _protect their 1lank, by advan.:ine and aeouring high sround
D ot U 5q 3211 Sheet /11 f1 . The Bn to advance 1n order td m&r>Jh
D - o - B.Il.Q. - A - B. !he c.oa and I.Oa Jeep and 22 aet u follow if
possible. Bn to be on 1 .. notio 'to move.
Change 1n plana, aa !rom reliable information i1i was aa.::ertained a fr;:;eh eneDQ'
DiY had been 1n tlle area that Bn wa8 aup._ oaed to O-J The new
ple.DI The Seafortha to adYan.:!e and 1n area of Sq 3309 Sheet
The P.P.C.L.I., to take right fiankiDg poe1tiona Md t;;e; Edmn Regt left
flanking poaitiona. Move off at 2200 bra 1D the order of marohl C - A - BBQ
B - D, 22 Set Ve:iicl.e to be brought up by tlle I.O. Capt K.s. 'wrdoch at 22JO

Bn. move." off and advan ;e4 w1 thout ina,dent the area o:.:\}upied b:J 'the -
INNISXI:r.LJ;NC;Rep ::ame under a harraaing fire laid (tOWD the- eDft\7 1n the
1mm1d1ate rtoinity. Coya were dispersed after d1g.:..;1ng .alit aettled
dCMm for a night of harraaing fire on the area.
. :
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
\Var Die.ries (which will be kept from first
Original, duplicate and triplicate to be
forwarded to 0. i/ c Echelon for disposal.
)/
Place
In the Field
ITALY
Date Hour
060U Stand to-
own art7.
lwavllJ ahelled :Ule .&l area and were oounter ahelled O\U'
2 Off1cera ln B Coy were Rerrltt and Lleat.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
D9 1( AL'ea t111 be1ug h.eavlly ahellttd. Thu Br1gadtl Commander, Br1gad14U" B.M. r
nalted tha Lt.-ool. J.D. 1',or1n a.a.d lhe next move of the Bn,
whloh woald be thfi of the r1Yer alld attack upon the town
ot SAN :L.:.J...NAhllO.
lOVO c. o. oalled for an u Group wh1oh he ou.tl1ned the plana for the
Bat tall on 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 of

B oompanya orosaing. Mules to oe to paok aQppllea ana ammQn1t1on.
B oompan7 to atart mc\fing at 2200 hoP.ra, and A company to tart at hra.
!he I. o. Capt. L s. to recce the route aero lila cow. try tor A., c, UQ
and D OOJ& 18 set oommunication to be Qaed.
l)CJ<..i 1.0. Capt. K. ::>. MQxdo ok rciipori;ed that he had reooed tm route for the D.lght a
move. Meals were and praparatlona made for the move.
22 t B Company reported that Wdra .mo'91D.S oft 14 the d1 Notion the river.
22lli A Company :novud ott !ol.1.0W6d b.J, C CoJ, B. B,. Q. and j) Coy.
B. H. Q. loat oomrnwl1oat1ona w1 th """ Compaa.y.
WAR DIARY
.M.P.:M. 11
40/P & S/87 (9/42)
OR
Original, duplicate and tripucate to be
'{ Title pages will be prepared.
/
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 thelr 1Mlt
meeting wl th heaoyy 8Dft!l' t. CJ. and flre.
01)0 B.B.Q. eatab11ahe4 a forward Command Poet on 'he s. E. 814e of the rl .. r.
0200 Bannars fro. J. Company broa.ght 1n report a that the ,OoJ had met w1 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 that the nma1na of
two platoons were baok on the B.H.Q. aide of the rler.
0700 c Oomp&n7 reportecl that 1 platoon of .&. OoJ s now 1n their area Dll4er
thelr and the oopan7 was oonaol14ated 1A the area of Sq Jlll - Slleet
147 ( .. ). et1ll 1n oontaot with the enemJ.
on5 B COmp&n7 reported that the7 had ooneolldated 1n the area of Sq )211 - Sh_.et
I
147 aeetlag opposition from enem, M.G.
0800 5 P.o.w. ' ,.-re t.roapt into B.B.Q. aaa *lob waa now eatabl18he4 at Jl4ll4
Sheet 147 Cki . B COmpany reported theJ had oapture4 DWDeroua prl.onera an4
were aendlna aame to B. B. Q. uder eaoort.
0900 P.P.c.L.I. on our left !lank reported stead7 prosress, but s1sn of enem7 oounter
attaok 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 w1 th
hea'Y7 enemJ fire, and a tank battle rased turloulJ.
a COmpany reported meeting enemJ oppoa1 tion bat 111 the prooeaa of o1e&Aiag
ap same.
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 pl
of .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 battle between oar and anemJ tanka
denloped, and on 1nstra.ot1ona from Bela, B. Q. plana ohaqe41 It - deo14e4
that tbe sphere of opt:r a tiona 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
I
WAR DIARY
M.F.M, 11
40/P & S/27 (9/42)
OR
Instructions regarding prepara-tion of
b ,Title pages will be prepared.
Original, duplicate and triplic.ate to be
forwarded to 0. i J c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
/"'
Place
In the Field
lTjLY
Da.te Hour
'
DEO
43
1700
1900
2000
2200
( Oontlnued)
The c.o. Lt.-ool. J.D. For1n deo1de4 tbat , the one platoon of A Coy now with
o Ocmpany, would withdraw to B.li.Q. s.rea dQJ.'lag the lllght. Jl an4 c Coy-a to
\fed up and form a oompoll1 te 1roa.p to hol4 eatabllheci 'br14gehea4, to De
ltJDthe 'balanee of thlil Battalloa 4ur.Lns the next "-7 iationa wolll4l 'be taken
ap to B .m4 C Co7a '1 mule du.rtn.g the n.1ght. . iwl nt1oa to 'be laaaed.
B. H. Q. area being heavll7 ahellet. 1'he c. o. att uted a eon:terenoe at .Bde B. Q.
at which it wa deo1de4 that the Admn Regt woald advance throu&h the P.P.C.L.I.
The a. wou14 ereot a brldp aoro the &'l .317086 (1) :foZ'
tl'anapol't. Coy of the Sea:forthu to pronde proteot1oa _for the ang1neera.
A
11
OompanJ pJO'f'14e4 an eaeort for the tranaportat1on ot rat1ona b7 male to
B and C Co7a
.B. H. Q. ud OompanJ ao?ed aap to the area of 3451.06 Sheet 147 (l).
lurlq the dll)f, 40 prtao.o .. r& W6J"e t!J.kQn B Oo7, md aan7 German
'r A and 0 Cocap&lllcaa. B and c were ord&rfld to w1 thdraw baok to
the Sou.th lll4e o1 the rive-r a.e 1t bad -.em deo14ed D7 the .Bziga41er, tbat lt
lte 1mpoa81 ble 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 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
follow L. Re1t 1n exploitation ot the P..C.L.I. bridgehead, whloh
ha4 met l oppoa1t1on than oar owa effo*"' ln th8 L 1i: A N A R 0 aeotor.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initiaU!
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
lns.tructions regarding prepru:ation of
1 Title pages will be prepared.
Original, d\il.plicate and triplicate to be
forwarded to 0. if c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
y
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
In the P1el4
l!ALY
7 0600 - gnt=ID.J' ahell1ng -and n Company area.
D&O
44 0700 Lt. ool. J.D. Ftr.111 attended a oo.ldttrenoe at 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 rte4 that
1n the pr61Vivulil day's aot1ona, t.b.ey had t&kon J5 P.O.W., w1pe4
14 M.G. poHta.
t1ea llr:tered b7 the oompany 'being. 1 X1lled, I we u.nded and 6 m1aa1ng.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and

WAR DIARY
U.F.M. 11
40/P & B/87 (0/42)
OR
Instructions regarding of
ment), are contained in .F.S. Regs. Vol. I.
Original, duplicate and trip.Lu.Jate to be
c:{ Title pages will be prepared.
y
Plaoe Date Hour
In the Field
ItALY
7
Dec
4)
1030
1500
1600
17)0
1 0
2200
8 060
Deo 10700
4)
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
( Oont1.naed)
.. :
C Co7 arrl"d 1Dft the area of 324083- A 007 )23083- D Co7 )26086- B.li.Q. 327085
Areas ahellect and mortared b7 the enem7 all da7.
The Bde L.o. , Lt. Ylad. ted the o.o. and atated that the 2ncl .Bde were to
be withdrawn for a 24 hov.r rest and pnqr a1 olean up. Eaonton aess.ment wou.l4
remain in aame arda- P.P.C.L.I. to be rele1Ye4 by the UN'IS- Seatorth of c
to be rele1Yed by 7th Pan3aba -8Ind1an DlY.
Group at which the c.o. ODtl1ne4 the present aituatloa. and stated that the
1.0. 'lllth 2 I.Seo man would reooe an ana 1n Sq )410 Sheet 147 (lY) tor the
purpose of ld.llet1ng the lbole 8:1 ln hoaaaea durlns the brlt reat period.
Rat1ona, .Blankets and Small paoka to be brought up rroa A iohalon. Ba1tal.1oD
keep 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 oft on oroas-oountry treokk'and arr1'Y8d ln the rest area 2000 Bra1
B. H. Q. 346110 - A C07 )46114 - B Coy )36105- C Oo7 346107 - D Oo7 )441U.
Rat 1 one, blanket a and small paoka arr1Yed in the area and were 41 nr1bate4, and the
Battalion settled down to a ooliforta'ble n1gl1ta rest and alPI antort1Ul&tld7
lay haay7 enemy shell m d mortar flre in the azoea. fehlolea Hlo:f'J!

to another Unit 1n the Bn area hit bJ shell fire, tire and a
the enemy a sood tarset to shoot at all night,.
Enemy still lb ell1ns the Bn area.
!he c.o., Lt-ool. J.D. Forin, attended a conference at Bde H.Q. at wh1oh 1t was
dea1d4 that after the lat Bde had strens,hened brldphea4 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, w1 th
the support of tanka, would make a left hook along the road rv.nn1ns f&ST fro
S. L A N A R D 0 3)0118.
WAR DIARY
M .F .M. 11
40/P & S/37
OR
Instructions r egarding preparation of
Wai Diuries (which will be kept il'Om first
day of mobilization, or ation o1 embodi-
ment), are contained in F.S. Regs. V 1. l.
t Title pages will be prepared.
forwarded to 0 . i/c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
7 -
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
In the Field
I'rALY
8
Deo
43
9
Deo
43
( 00nt1n .. 4)
0900 o Groop at which the c.o. expla1n.Jthe a1tuation and etate4 a plan of
action for the Bn woDld be laid on later.
Arty and tanka lald down a heayy concentration of r1re on enemy oocuple4
areas. Our her:Yy bomiera and fighters were oyer dortns the 4aJ, bom'b1ng an4
etrafins the enem1 poa1t1ona. .
1000 24 mules 111. th Indian drtyers, arr1ye4 ln the area. 'l'o be uae4 1n tranaport1ns
.AmmWlition, an4 3 Inoh Monara aoroaa the R1r Moro.
0530
0600
0700
0730
0800
Enemy shelling during the night, but fairlJ light compared th the prenou&
night s shelling.
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 fire while ozoaalns
the rtyer.
!he c.o. altered OOJ'a plan of making a te1ot to tho ot s. L A 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 001 reported that they were meeting bitter raalatanoe but were advano1ns alowlJ
under enemy 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 point 1D a tank,
whi-ch later h1 t a mine an4 blew a track, 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.
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
ment), are contained in F.S. Regs. Vol. l.
Original, duplicate and tripucate to be

-
Place
In the Flel4
lT!iLY
Date Hour
9
De a
43
1000
1045

1220
1)00
1400
141S
1?45
2159
( coottue4)
1 Platooa or & 007 "" Mnt down to 337117 U a 'l'Oteotlon for a
upper part7 IMU 14lac a d1yera1oD in that area.
B. H. - A - c - B mo ort 1D d1 reetton ot th3 r1 Yer ozroaans. OOIIlq UA4er
.he&YJ abell ancl mol'tar f1re. g: ... l taak aD.d s. P. pna n nporte4 ia tbe
area l1f 3)51)7. ReaJ enem7 helllns aroWl4 aree ot 41Yenion all molalq.
B ancl 0 Oompam.ea rvporte4 tl,e7 .. re aoros tbe r1'Yer ao4 that Ule enJ had
ooanter attaoke4 4o the road ot the town. tMlt r dftftll ott
.Porwart B. B. Q. uder the oomma11d of the Capt, 1. H. lonAell nporte4
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. J.D. orln that he ... tn coaplete
oharse of the operation ta the s. t A N A a D (, .....
Oo7 their adYaDoe hel4 ap bJ heaYJ M.G. all4 Mortar t1n.
!he c. o. lnstruted A - 0 and .8 ooapanlea to remat. D la their preaent area.
Coy to 11111. tb4raw to original poal tlon, A 081 to &dYance and attaok 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 areu U'OilD4 L A N A a .D u
A Oo7 )28199 - I 007 )Jlll12 - 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 arranaet tor ratloD and sreatooat to taken oyer to
th CoJ8. The .. t u.p 8A acl'Yanoe R.A. . 1a L A N A t( lJ u
.. l"aded W1th M.M.G. ' and 4.2 aonara oro t..t1e n:wer to Uae 1111. poatloaa.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/ P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
Wax Diaries (which will be kept from first
r \\ Title pages will be prepared.
Original, duplicate and triphcate to be
1 /
Place
In Field
ITALY
10
Deo
43
11
Deo
43
0700
St and to first light.
Lt-ool. J.D. Forin attan4ed a conference at Ide R.Q. where the next
ion was outlined. The Eclmna, 111 th the uppor\ 1 Sstn of tanka, wollld
advanoe forward to area 324134 then, after oonaol1dat1on. to the area
32 3142. 1 Company of the 48th Blghla.odera, aupporte4 bJ tank, would a4vanoe
an their right flaDk and 1 ooy of Seaforth.,!, aupponed by t&llka on their left
r1ank. --
attaok went ott aooord1ns to plan, and the Edmn Regt reaohe4 tha1r f1rat
objeotlve wlth ver7 little oppoaition.
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 torAr4 to a pot at . bat on the
move ran into heav7 shell and moriar fire. Lt-ool. J.D
shrapnel .oanda, hla batman killed. The Aotlns I.o., Lt; shrapnel
WOillld, and 1 111sna11er on the 18 aet k1lle4.
Capt. Blaokrn took ever temporar,, oorrl'!'and ot the !D
. '" 600 A ahell burstins outdde of the 4oor of rear 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. 1 1/o. -
trhe Coys took ap fil"lll 'base pos1 tlona for the Dlght and reported that their
areas were belns shelled and mortared by the enemJ. The A.rt7 laid down
harrasatns fire All night on enem, poaltlona.
!he R. Staff dld an excellent Job of II) rk da.rtns the 4&7'8 aotlona, aan411ng
oasaalt1ea frorn vartoua units.
Stand to - Heayy shellins ln Coy areaa 4ur1ng tte early morning hoa.ra, the
Coys reported caeualtiea from same.
Coys dug 1n and ln positions. Advanoe B.B.Q. 327125- A Coy Jl012)
B Coy- )28128- C Coy 324125- D Coy 324123- Rear B.H.Q. "331119- 147 (1v).
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
/.
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/ 37 (9/42)
OR
ment), are contained in F.S. Regs. Vol. I.
\ ;1.- Title pages will be prepared.
/
Place
In the Field
ITALY
Date Hour
ll

43
0600
0800
0930
10)0
. 100
1.115
125)
1300
\.
-:7'
1730
1930
Stand to -
Coy oarr1era went forward with rations to their 007
A Coy reported that they auapeote4 enemJ O.P. 'e and M.G.' 1n hoAaea on
rldge N.W. from their poaitlona.
J/c.o. 11ajor s.w. !hcmaon, adnaed the Coy Comrr:ander to R8e the11" Spt !anka to
blast out the enemJ ln auapeote4 h(;gaea. . tu1
!anke opened fire on houaea along the ridge. ,;
A 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 their mt flank by OOOilpyillS
featRre at 32513 0 Sheet 147 1 Platoon of o COJ to link up th.m.
!he .;c.o. Major, s. 1. acl'Yiaed the Ooya to oall on the An1 to alot
at aa many targets as posa1ble.
A Oo7 reached tbelr object1ye and reported under control.
A Coy reported heavy concentration of the enem7 praparins to attaok their
poet t1on, and, qn the of the A/ a. 0. , the Co7 w1. thdrew to their original
poaltiona. Platoons from B. and c. Companles doins liken .. , to allow oar
.lrt;r to lay down a heavy n est fire on the danger are.a.
A Coyat this time had a fighting of 45 men.
Ooye oonaolldated ln posltlons the night.
Enemy movement and tracked vebiolea were reported by A Oo7 and the 4/C.O.
s.w. Thomson and 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, attented a conference at H.Q., and on hla
retllrn, he stated that the Ill would sl t tight, and w1 th the tanka, .-ould form
a strong defenslve position.
An ene1r7 sniper around the Bn area, a concealed position, gave a little
trollble during the nigJ t.
The CC;ya down for the night, depleted oooalderablJ iD stnngih. but
morale stlll high after one of the hardeat 481 the BD had experlenoea with
enemy shell and fire.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
M .F .M. 11
WAR DIARY
OR
40/P & S/ 37 (9/ 42)
\ 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
Summary of Events and Infol'Illation
lt1 tb ,; early morning hours, the ". N. s. R. Regt, pasaed throDgb the Bll pod tlona. ,
Very little shelJing during the night
Stand to - All Qa1et.
shelling and Mortaring Bn Area.
fi.H.Q. area in s. L 1!: A N A H D 0 t.eav1ly shelled and morlare4 17 enemy mal'tlf/e
mortars, known;tamongst the troops ae Moaning
1
'1nnie. !he mlllt1r'monar ou
be heard Walling through the a1r, g1Ying lota of time to take ooyer.
Enemy sniping 1n the Bn Area.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
The Major s.w. Thomson, atatde4 a oonferenoe at Ide H.Q. at whloh the
seneral situation waa Elements ot the lat !de ba4 a4yanoe4 through'
the 2nd !de liDea, meeting enemy M.G. and Mortar tire. The P.P.C.L.I. ha4
beaten ott a attack.
e1tut1on at this t1me wat the va!loua Battalion oonaol1clate4 in t}:j.ti area of.
Seaforth 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 exohang1ng fire, II tho"
to report on am
Coy oarr.lere took 1n to their reapect1ye oompan1ea, ratione and rum 1eauea1
Cooka 1D A Echelon, sent oat p1eq the7 had baked tor the troopa 1D the line,
and were a tare to ordinarr Aaar meala.
Llght shelling 1n the Bn area daring the night, othend.ae qalet.
Stand to. At 0630 bra, the enemy heavily shelled and mortared the BD area.
tanka reported operatl 1n tbe area of )26140, Sheet 147 (lYt)
All warned to be on the alert for heayy enemy ooanter attaoka.
Small arms fire 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
WAR DIARY
U.F.M. 11
40/P & B/87 (9/42)
OR
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
(
t!he 81 tuatlon on t helr right flank belna aerloua.
!he Carleton & York Reg\ reported that 3 Mark tanka had been deatroyed
and that they had taken 111any prisoners.
rhe Major. s.w. Thomson, attended a Bde Conference where 1t waa
deo1de4 that .A Coy of the Se&rorth of c, w1:th a troop of tanka, wou.l.d make
a left hook to the area of )10210 ln order to help the 0. & Y. reaoh
their
.t" Coy oue under the oomrnand of tanka for their next moye.
No oomman1oat1on from A Oo7.
Word 'by other meant came tt.roaaJl that I. Coy were on thelr ob3eot1e, and ha4
oapt11red many pr1aonera, details wery
Beaq ahellina ln the Bn Areaa. A Coy reported 1n tlle area of 306122.

Jones of A Coy, reta.rnlq to B.H.Q. from his Coy, brollght in a

6eta1led report ot the OoJ' aDooeaaea. !hat wJ. tb a tlghtlnl atrensth of 4), and
t!Je 6Ulpport of tanka, they ha4 made t l e le:ft hook and had ooapletelJ aa.rpr1ae4
the enemJ, . and bad killed 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 dngle man rrom A 001
waa wc,a4e4 throrapllout the whole aot1un, and the men were lou.d 1A the pra1ae
of their tank aupport, 2 of the aupportns tanlta bogged clown, and on orden
from the Tank Oommander, were deatroJe4. tDrn1n___e_ O't'er their poll1 t_1.2.na
to the rele1UDI W.N.S.R , A Ooy retlll'ne4 to lta orlpnal area.
Rat1ona were ro11pt .., to all Coya, wh1oh 1noluded a dorable laaue of Rum and
Chooolate Bara.
SnemJ ArtJ and Mortar tire alaokened down durlng the and later oA
exoept for our own ArtJ harraeslns t1re, all waa qQ!et.
capt. K.S. Ma.rdoob was sent down the 1lne s1ok, 4Dr.lng the 4aJ7 The
duties of the Adjutant taken by the i.o. LtJ A.W. Gra7, the Delns

Lt1
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
II/
I ol J
I .

r
WAR DIARY
M..P.M. 11
40/P & S/87 (U/42)
OR
Original, duplicate and tripheate to be
/'
Place
In the FtelCI 1
ITALY 'L
Date
)4
Deo
43
Hour Summary of Events and Information
0600 Stand To - Intermittent enemy shell fire in Bn area. M.G. Fire prominent in
forward areaa. Ad.-nce !.H.Q. 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 lat Bcle.
1000 o Group at wbloh the J/C.O. outlined the situation on oar front ln pne:ral, alao
atated the forward and take over pos1t1on vaoated by other Begta.
J. OoJ - B Coy - C Coy 3l5l.07 - D OoJ 322113 + B. H. Q. 332119.
1015 Our Arty sent a heay oonoentratlon ot tire to help the Jrd Bde who .. re
advanolna forward of our poai t1ona. Our. ,81rforce were o.er striding and bombina
enemy The enemy sbellet the Bn area, tbe mor.Dlng.
1700 Coy/reported ooneol1dat1on and du.g 1n, ln new areaa. &nemJ sheliiq COJ
Areas, cau.slng a few oamal tiali. '
!he enemy were putting a.p a nry ,stubborn reatatanoe, and were gr1ml1 oonteatlq
every foot of sronn4. Tht:J' usad their Art7 and Morlara It th sood ettect. The
toposraphy of the ooWltrJ waa :flat all iii. taou.r of the defender, the on.l7
shelter from enemy ftre be1ns odd house and deep alit trenohes a
different type of warfare to what Bn had 'been aoou.atomed to in tha moUAtalaa.
15 0600 stand To.. Intend. ttant ene1D7 shelling.
0
43
Enemy shelllns an4 mortar1111 1n and around B. B. Q. area in s. L A N A R D 0
Carleton & York Rep on our right fianlt, reported 'Yery heav7 go1ns, a.DCI
enoountertns heaYJ and
Commanlcatlona 18 set with all Coya perfect.
Major. s.. Thomson, 1natracted B Co7 to aend out patrols to oontaot
the Eaaex and Royal Fusilier Rest on thelr lett flank. .1 CoJ to mo to the
area of .31503.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
/
I
' I
!,
1.///
,-, !v .
;e'
WAR DIARY
UJil.U. 11
40/P & 8/87 (9/4:1)
OR
Instructions regarding preparati.on of
Original, duplicate and tripb.cate to be
forwarded to 0. i I c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
\b_....,
-
Place
In the Field
ITALY
15 ( Contlna.ed)
Dec 1330 .a and 0 Coya reported oarr1era sent cat tt tb rat1.ona and -mwu. tton
4.3 had arri in 'their area.
1550 Forward Bna reported that the enemy were oonoentntlna in the area o:C ll71J6
in preparation for a counter attack.
1615 M.G. pa unlta aent out to aa.pport CoJ 1n defeaa1Ye poa1t1ona,
reported \hat the road was blocked thla aide of b7 vehicle whioh hat
b"'en put oat of action bJ enemy f1 re, one of our oarrlen amonat thu aDd the
driver killed. '!'he A/C.oO. deQ1d-td that "the road waa tm4er olaaenat1on a.ncl
made arrangement& for the tranportat1on of auppl1ea l..o ti! ooya to be made
'Y uu1lea.
1800 ofr1oer reporte4 to B.H.Q. and atate4 that he wa or4ere4 to alne an
areR rorard of our 007 1n oaee of attaoka bJ the enemJ
4/C.O. Major s.w. Thomson, deo1ded that th1a would DOt be !ea1'1.
Ooya laid on looal patrola.for the n1ght.
2200 A Coy hearing enemy c11gg1ng-1n approx )00 J&rds from their
pos1 t1ons, and asked for Mortar fire on th1e area. whioh waa grante4.
No sbell1ns 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; thelr patrol dld not oontaot
a patrol from t.he Ind1an D1Y1a1on du.rt.ng the night.
R. 22 R. had cRt the road at 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 their areas.
B Coy reported that J/'l'k Guna 1n thatr area had acooamted for; 1 Mf.rk l'Y tank,
1 111 tank, and 1 S. P. Gun.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initiaLs
(
I
I;
/
'(/
/) 111.
'/
ft
WAR DIARY
MJII.lil. 11
40/P & S/37 (Q/42)
OR
I nstructions regru:diug preparati.on of
War Diaries {which will be kept from first
\
1
Title page&l will be prepared.
Place
In tlle Field
ITALY
Date Hour
16
Deo 1115
43
-
1600
17 0600
Dec
43 0800
1200
( 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 hlt on tLe
house that they were ln, aud ae-ye.ral were ldlled and 1nja.rt4.
Knel!l)' shelling 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 lull, the M.O. lno:culated personnel in B. H. Q. for 'f;yphua.
Jlrlg. B.M. Boffr;r.ei ster vial ted t te c.o. 8!ld. stated ihat 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' and , apple pies baked b;y tt:e cooke in A Ech were alao broa.ght
u.p.
All Isolated M.G. flre ln forward areas. C Coy reported oontaot wlth
the Indian Di'Y patrol du.nns the night.
the J/C.C., Major. 's.-;t. Thomson, attended a at Bde H.Q., and on h1a
he instructed & Ooy tc sdnd a fighting patrol to the town of
s. J u B At I to locate enemy disposition any. No &bell1DC 1D the area
during he morning
. o Coy patrol reported that te7 had entered s. J U B A ! T I and the
.fOJS _aLe_ar 'i& the enem:r. Th&J. had taken one prlaoner :f'oun4 eleep1M ln a hoa.ae.
saae
00
erenoe called, to be held at the Seaforth of c B n .
a 1400 hour a. ""
At the oonf'erenoe, .Brig. Hoffme1ate t
their poaitlona, wtth aotlve patr
The let !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 oonaentratlon. 2n
dh l
101
u
< '
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
Original, duplicate tmd triplicate to be
7
Place
In the Field
ITALY
Date Hour
18
Dec
43 0800
0900
1000
1100
1115
--
1600
19 0600
Dec 0800
1400
Stand to. A Coy reported their patrol 1.u the early houra of Ue morllln.g,
I
was heavily mortared,. but no casual t1es.
!ha heav1ust barrage of the oampa1gn was laid down on enemy poa1 tiona.
4 enemy tank and Troopa reported in area 297127 heading NORTH 1D an attempt
to escape our Arty tire.
C1Ylliana report.ed the area in and al'()und ti1e town ot 0 R T 0 N A , hea-.117
mined..
Our Arty fire ooncentrat1on oeaaed to allOW the let Bde to ad'Yanoe
The Arty barraga was ol,a1med to be larger and 'heaner than the tamoaa
Alemstn Barrage, gun firing approx 500-rounda.
The lt Bd3 reported that they ha4 completed +.he t1rat phase of tbe attack and
that the enem1 had withdrawn from tbe area of )201)8.
Dar1ns 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 on the aouth Ill de of the
11 ver M cqtf't W , reported that their area was being ahelled bJ entJmy lona
range guns.
Coys hold1rLg the same poa1 tiona, 1IL th local {latrola during the nlgbt.
Stand To.
!he 4/0.0. Major s.w. attended a at Bde B.Q. anu apon
hla retarn, called an o Group at wh1oh he the 2nd .14e waa to take
over the poa1t1ona of the lat !de 1n preparation for an attack on 0 R T o N A
!he Seaforth of 0 to or the poa1t1ona of the Best.
Band C Coya to moye forward at 1400 hra- B.B.Q. 16UO hra, A and D OoJa to
remain 1n thelr present poel tlona Wlt11 atter dark.
B and C Coya mond off and arr1yed 1n thelr new areas .At 1511 an a4Yanoe
party from B.H.Q. moye4 fwd and establiahed 1n the B.B.Q. area.
Remarks, references
to Appendicee and
initials
WAR DIARY
MJII.M. 11
40/P & 8/87 (9/4:1)
OR
Instruotions regarding preparatio.n of
Original, duplicate and tripLcate to be
forwarded to 0. if c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
pages will be prepared.
Place
lA the F1el4
l!ltL y
20

44
0600
0900
Si&Ad to. patJ:'Ol from the Sooo:t PlatoL' n rtaportecl t.ae7 ba4 nooe4 the uea
aant to' me had obaened 1 eerman aentrJ on tbe bat cl14 not raa
DeJ &lao reported maAJ s M1nea a.ad. feller JU.aea atre &%'0-4 the area.
The 2n4 Ma Command Peat mo?e4 u.p 1Dto the A.F.Q.
09L5 lS:D.emJ ahll 1u a4 aroand tho lla1.alloD area. apata1r roo
o:t the homae 1n whioh B.H.Q. bad lta Hea4qaarter
1
wertt ued lJ7 the utlllery
:r. o. o. a aa Nl o. P. IN oa11.ae a aweep1n& new ot tba app 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. outl1nlq the plaa tor at.taek ot OllTOJU. lt7 th 2114 .8r1aue.
the Lo1a1 liegLmeot to do t.lle aaaln eZ:tor-t, B14 a4yanoe u.p t.M axl
ot th& ORTORA lateral l'Oacl. S\tatorth of 0 to be . right fl..U proto"loB
mouq alona the roa4 to the rlp'&i of tm oharoh at JJS163 (lf). lrtoJI to
the ma1n ettort, the P.P.O.L.l. wou.l4 .0Ye to ooBaol14at.e oa the hip s.rou
lD Sqaare J.}15. A beaJ art7 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 ad ot a4YaD0
1
&Del kel't la touoll 1l h
the OOJ Oommtn na 18 aet, 41reot1q thea all tb.roa.p the aotloa.
1200 CompiLil1ea reported areaa lle&Y117 m1Be4 and 1 t waa h1D4ctft.A& pnpae
1245 D reportecl theJ ln OODtaet wlth the enaD7, acl their aapportlq
tanka were enaP.na tarpta.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
WAR DIARY
M.P.U. U
40/P & B/87 (9/42)
OR
Instr:uctioiU! regarding preparatio.n of
O Title pages will be prepared.
Original, duplicate 'and triphcate to be
forwarded to 0. i / c 2nd for disposal.
/
Place Date Hour
In the 20
ITALY we
44
1 5
(oonti mteci)
CompanJ reported tbat the; 8luwl7 a4vano1na. TheJ ha4 ' oaaaaltiea
and were aak1ng formedioal aiel.
reportecl that the12" Company had in tta area ot 335155 m 4
that C advanoiug them.
0 Company reperted that the7 were eng&&1nl the c:u&eaJ
1
with the o'f taua,
1n the v1o1nity o:f the Charoh. The7 ware makl.na aoo4 pNar
C Oompan7 r8pertei that they bad driven off a att.ak an4 were aow
being heanl7 belled. aD.4 raortancl b;y the enem7. The7 aue4 tor art7 flre
to be la1. d on the enemy poai t1ol'la.
The J/ o. o. or s. 'f. Thomaon, deo1dl=ld that he would end A. Co7
al.ong the road and ahcre a a right :tlaDk pi'Oteotlon to 0 Company. 0
reported many enemJ maahine pn poata in the ohl:lroh :f1r1fl8 oa them.
18 Capt. D. s. Barle7
1
o. c. 0 CompanJ l1nke4 up w1 th the Lo7al Edmonton liegt oa
the lett :flank, who had reached the o 1.1ter ot the town, ancl oame .uuler
oomman4 that Unl t.
Iarina 0 Comp&nJ' attack, on the whloh wa _, K.G.a, a tank,
and many hal14 srenadea exten111 oyely ae4 and over tllt oa to the
forward platton, Lieut. L. Robin110n killed, an4 L1e11t. JialllnlrJ' w'Hm4e4.
C Company clua 1n for the night )Ov J&rd -.elow their o-.:eotlft Wlclergolas
oontant mortar t1re.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
WAR DIARY
M.,PI.M,. u
40/P &; B/87
OR
;fAAtropti.qn,a of
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.
forwarded to 0. i/o 2nd Echelon for disposal.
/
Place
In the Field
ITALY
Date Hour
2l
:Deo
44
{
0600
1100
lJOU
loOU
Summary of Events imd Information
Loyal Regt and 0 Coy of Seaforth of C advanoed into the
Soath and o! town, the adanoed forward,
aud C c0mpa1'l.Y to the area of Cillll'oh. Thcj :f1g.b.t1ng waa &till at iff' 1 bat
good wa& made and it appeared tbat the town might be bJ night.
However, the enemy ParatroopEtra 1ou.a whowed their intention of holding what they
had, wnen they )aok into centre and heart of the town. There,
the buildings were packed together and tha atrt!et were narrow, allowing the
Germ&A& to demol1ah the hua.saa and by do lug ao, the atreeta V\lilre oompletely
blooked.
It waa decided that the Sea:t"orth 0 woul,d clotaoh another oompany to the
Loyal Regt a oonmand to relie.Ttf o:f their own coy from thEI Job
o:r left flank protsotion, thua allowing their un1 t a oomm1 tta:l of more
for task of houae clearing.
Company WFlS told off for ;;:,_nd set at 130U hra, howe..-er, the
Brigade deoided to emplo7 a m&A1mam 8ffort to the
ordered the entire Batt&lion to alil&ilit Lo.Yal Regiment.
/.o'::;t
.All were new pow1 tionil. A. 0C?Y 330162, BHQ 3.)7;J..59,
0 Coy 335li2, D Coy 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 charci:l. where
.B.H.Q. had jo:.Lned C Coy H.Q. Then evidence of C CCJmpany'a atiff fight
rema1ned, aa they were bay lla.rylng their own and enemy dead. The companir:t
oaaual. tie& being 7 kl.lled m d many .. du.r1ng the att aok on the ohuroh.
The htitavily mortar6d and ahdlled the Baatalion area during the Dight
oauaing aeveral 1'he .Bat.alion'a etrength at that time
524 all rank . D Coy relieYed an Regt Coy 1n the aeotor of the
'-----
WAR DIARY
M.P.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
J-,7 Title pageli will be prepared.
Plaoe
In the 11 eld
I! .ALI
(Eras& heading not ; required)
22 060C The at ill abe lling and wo.rtar1.a:.g ali on al'4 a..
Dee
44 080C Compan7 waa oomm1 tted to the town t1ght aBel wera paahin& ap oa the let't
oom1ng ander heavy i;jnew7 M.G. f1re.
09.3C J.} Oompaay .rtipurttsd
lOJC Mo:t<tar 'omba :falling in B.B.Q. area and aa"t fire to ammwl1t1on t.ruck beloDatq
to the Ant1 tank platoo.n
9
the exploding amu:RZ11t1on aett1ug !1rtU to he
belong1ns to the I. o. L1e11t. A. W. Gra7, deatroJ'inl aame. A party, with the &14
cd a rope, draaMed a m.ld tha 22 Set to the i./C.O.
s.w. Thomaon. at a gre&t rlak, drOY3 bl 3sap oat of the aone. Oontlnuoua
unem1 mortar ftr& in L H. Q. area all tha mor.Dl.na, one bomb t.r1k1ns the
ot the chllroh wbioh waa oooup1ed \7 I.B.Q., there were no oaa.altiea.
1 30C D CompanJ report ad tht:Jy ad'Yanoins, ltut m..;et1q w1 th heavJ d.D.ttmy opp1 t1on
all Lhe way, .A3 in. demo'ibed ltailding.
150(
1 0(
j, Company that they hP.d olaaened &D. enemJ mllltiple Jilgrta:r lD aetoa
approximatley l' 4 o:f a :from heir '-' P. I.lurilla the 4q, the attal.1on
J/Tk pna :fired many roanda and armoLU' p1ero1ng lllhella into the enem7
ooeapled hoaaea ln the tom, and the :Battalion l" mortar 414 a aplead14
3o on leote4

j, OompanJ were warned J/0. o. Major s. 'f. Thom.80ll "to Z01'8 at a mlnute '
AOtloe to the area that bad been oooap1e4 -7 D GOJ the pre'Ylou Dlpt.
The enIDJ' ahelllns and mortarlns ql11etene4 clo wa 41D'lna the e'YeAiq, .t OoJ
oarr1era were aent forward tmm I' w1 th mwaltlOD ancl rat1ona.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
(
ll(f
0
,JY
{
WAR DIARY
M.F'.M. 11
40/P & S/ 37 (9/42)
OR
Instructions regarding preparatiqn of
forwarded to Q. i J c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
g., pagea will be prepared.
Pl&ce
In t!J8 FleJd.
l'IALY
22
l)r;C
44
2)

44
t OOn t1 nu.e d)
Brlsad1@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 1eotor of the to prlor to plopc:.:d
1nto the flght 1n tbe earlJ morn1ns.
Ueat. W.D. Re1d took CJver the ct u capt. LS. llarlook
1000
1100
lJOO
lei't for Bngland on 1Dter) chRDp.
SpaaocH.o of tb:i 1m a:ca dllrlng the an4 iD th.a earl7
morning Capt a&oha.ll81
9
o. c. OvmpanJ went forward at tl.rn lipt
to t.be left of tm l.oJ-.1 tteg1meu"' to reooe a1 t-tloA feat ot
the mH1n atreet, IlL t.h a u ew t:;, mo-ye l:J1 oompany into tha.t aeotor to oleu
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 t1o.a, aeleot1D! a tall 1Nallc11ng 1n the ma1D eq .. re.
the water tnaolt at B.B.Q. aDd waa aoat wel.oo aa all the wella 1A
the town had 4rJ.

7 cem7 JLB.Q. area.., ( B;CompaDJ JDOYed u.p tv the left flank ot
Uae Lo1al Rest. men t. U
C&rr.lera arr1Ye4 at 1ll th tile and .. re aeAt to their reap .. t1 n
OoJ
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
WAR DIARY
M.P.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
y itl page& will be prepared.
Place
In the Field
Ital.7
'/
Date Hour
2)
DEO
44
24

l4Ul
1730
.soc
0 Ol
(Continued)
B Ooy reported tba t they Lad advanced 50 .varda and had oEtDOOUJltered atiff enemJ
oppo&1t1on all tho way.

A)Compatly waa warned to prepare tht:lr meal. and .to... be ready to moTe in
hcv_r and a half. 2 cf 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 settled down in strong ve po:.1 t1on for til& oA1ght. The
tnat1on now waa 3 oorupan1,s WEH'e engag&d in the t.o bonae :f1gh1i1DSt
on the left and@ and :a or the right fiank1.ug the Loyal
Regt. C Comptilly oon1ol dated i.n. t.W area from B.B. Q. at the Church
3.3 5163 to the 331165. Interm1 ttant \;;nemy ahelling and mortaring 1n
thd Battalion area all night.
The oompan1aa were at1ll holding posit1o.na deap1 te heavy ahall and
mortar f1 re.
08CJ( 1 Cffloer end 8 other rank. reinforcement a arrived and were ae.at out to A 007
atrenath waa badly depleted. The night lad bden a trying one tor
the oompan1ea, aa the enem7 were uaing deUlol1 tiona extenll1 Tley and their pltrola
were quitQ aolve wlth and maohina p1tola. A number of hoQ
blew up du.rlng the hou ra of darkneaa.
1 ,( Today, the objeot1'Yea were, a large demol1lilhed ohuroh, tbe town aehool, mel
oomn1and ot borae Square, eo named 'beo1:111ae of a dead horae lJi.ng 1n the
oentre ot the Square.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
WAR DIARY
M.ii'.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
'Jv Title page& will be prepared.
/ .
Place
lJl the Fie 14
ITALY
24

44 000
These building" boWl were 81 tuate4 1n th.1 aqaare and. ooueqae.ldlJ, u
approach i:;r;. them :fl'Om thtt oompany peal t1o.ila nry bol4 effort
.20
)00
y. po L o s V.' re b7 .o1ght:fall.
A/'1
0 t
asa1nat bv.ildlnga 1n the area ot
to r11ft"d M.G. poata.
The Q.fll. capt. D. B. Oroa. md ataft, oooklq eqlll}aeat an4 1-Jpl1ea
ap to B. 111 the chLU'oh, 1n prapAaativll :tor I4nner.
500 Padl'ti !taJ ur. R. c .. II .. IAlrllfcra. ar:ri ved at B. po1ntedl.J retA&rkiq oa
on !lig J Well, at last got you all la Obaroh!. 1'h" ga4H 1
alwaJ eqaal to oooa11Jii1ona aud tail to oa1.1ae a deo1cl .. d Rpl.1tt ln
aplrlt where"r b8
510 Bl'J. gade Beadquarter2 roported that, ln the 111ght the en7 had oal.led :for
rsl;doroamanta u oaaal t1aa &arlq the :ft.ght1ng in the town hacl uea
hip.
1530
B Oompan1 .rported ha4 olteened A oomp&!lJ on their and tbat
81lpport1ns tanka were 4o1q a Jo'b of Ul.aatiq t= &llelll7 011 o-r
hoG
liein:t:oroementa 1noladi.o.a 6 O:C.t'1cera ar.d 85 other .ranka ar:rin4 at :a.
anonaat thtna l:te1q man7 famillar i"aoea. MaJor J. Qowan at .r .Aohdloa
ad posted them to their reapeot1 .., oomp81l1ea be:tore theJ left there.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. ll
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
Place
In the .Field
lT,Al,Y
Date Hour
24
:D.so
4-4- liOO
25

44
1700
1800
( 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 oon Rf..rt:; plao3d Wld<ilr coma;; and o:! th.a
degt to aald..at 1L.J.. ap the tip of tl-.1.8 tt.:>'ldl wb1.oll
waa proving an strong waa too cluaa eoya
fer the arliillary nppo.rt, hows,.er, houl!lea were aaoe:afully encage4.
The Companies were aov!ntering heaTy opposition around Dsad Horae Sqaare
A OompanJ reporte4 that theJ bad one aeotiOJl 1n the ohlltch b1 fightinc
tl'l;:t Germana who .-rs at one end of tle ohllroh, la1le oha.rch now belng ill run.
Tha tve oompaniea were eaoonntar1ng were a fo1'D11dabl.tt foe, Paratrooper
the cream of the German A.rmJ, Teter1ma on CJ.any war hRIJaia, Africa, lranoe
S1o1l7, and wttre inatru.oted by their OtJi to 11.ght to the laat mall.
During the day, the compar.ie had advanoet yery alowly, aDd nt D1ght were 1n
the paoD.l1ar tlon of being in the aame bldlding a a the tsneq, aaall laan4
grenade sortie taking plaoe all llie;ht.
One aeoilaGJl of .A oompany cained control of t.hd ao.bocl, 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 t1xlq 11p 4eta1la f'or the
Ohrtatmaa l)1nner to be held 1n th8 aha.roh oooapld ._, .B.Jl. Q. The Proteotlye
Groap aent partie of men arowul nund ho 1n the toe oolleot1q Clhinaware.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initi!W
..
0/ .- fv ~ = _ _ :
~ ~ H ~
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
Instruct.ions regarding preparation of
'Var Diaries (which will be kept from first
')
1
forwarded to 0. i j c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
fA_/
Place Da.te Hour Summary of Events and Information
In the lf1el4
2 5
Dt.:C
ITALY
44
5 (Continut)
0900 The aett1ng for the dlnnar waa oomplwte, long row. tablea Nith table
dotha, and a bottle of ltaer man, oandi_,a, oisarette, nat, ornnse an4
apple and ohooolat c uar prov1d1ng the e.xtraa.
o.o. Lt.-ool. J. W. TholuUo..ill, lat d o.a tll&. t the Compaa..1.e1 would eat 1a nlay
1n th order o-L 0-J.-11-:1, &lil eaoh oompanJ f1ll111ll.ed beir dinndr, they wudi
then go forward and relieyd tha next firirt oompanJ we. to lut 1&
at ll ou hrB. 2 bour.\J waa to b:: alJ.ovwd for Jacb. company :for dinner.
for the dinner be1nac SoRp, Pork apple aa.o, eauliflour
mlxed vegatablea, mashi!d potatoes, gra'Ty. Christmas pu.dd1ng and minoe pie.
llOO C Company was the first Coy to eat Dinner 1n the ohureh, a dinner that JUtO.e
had :tel "t poaai,le ander 11t1oh oondi tiona, bu:t no one had tl'lllJ tasted the
inattnllitJ and before of h: Q.M. Capt. D ... Cameron and taft.
From llOO to 1900 hra, when the lat - of the .Battalion r .. luetantl.J lett
the table to retum t.o 1:ae grim t1.311i o:r the day, there waa an atmosphere
of oh$d r and soo d f.,ll.owar.1.1p in the ohtlroh. A true Ch.r1ataa irl t.
1930
!he 1mpoa51. blit had ha.pptm.aci. No on1j had looked for a celelaration thia 4q,
Deoemlaer 25th waa to 'M anotlt'er dq ot hariablp, fear and df!JlCor,
another day of war. The of the te.oea ot the cl1rt7 ltec.rUA men u
theJ entered the was a reward that these repona1ble are aenr likelJ
to
When C OompanJ bact tJ. DJ.ahed their cl1rmer, 1;he1 relle?ecl .A. oompa.tLJ ao that
theT might oome 'baok -the 308 or 400 yartla tor the au, and. eo A OOJ relieftcl
B Coy and B, D Oo7.
Th.e latt e:zo were to lleoome reene Company, 'but the 1 tuation ha4 ta
8
e
w1 th C Compan7 on the left
Remarks, references
to Appendices Ml.d
initials
WAR DIARY
M.P.M, 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
:
WBr Diaries (which will be kept from first
t{ Title pages will be prepared.
OR
7 ..
Place Date Hour Summary of EvenU! and Information
In tbe F1'- .. .
IT f;} I

44
c. >n t1lllle 4)
Oap t. J. MoLoWl toe lc'lhl Compan;y b&ok 1nto i,he t1 ght. Ohr1 iltmas claJ waa DO leu
than he p.reoedlng onva, bv.t 1 ia that this neglJDen' all ni'ar forget.
Pip...: A'taJ ox played .Pipes; t1mea thl"()ugho ut the meals. .Dur1111
t.hc - d1nner, tli.e ;:;i18llal. (;t'tlc er, Lit.ut. played the oha.roll crsaa.
and, W1th the 814 of an li'lprovied olo1r, argru11zed bJ th .Padre, Carole
rang Ot.& t thrr11.tghcat the oha.roh.
po1 t1 on of th(;: Compat<1cs a" thiw t1mti waii Lhat the 3 .forarcl OQ11pan1a
4, D, ar..d C runn1na in a line from )28169 to 33217 2, w1 th Coy in reaerya.
Tho Cl'l&.lroh bad bQt baol: tv thti when tJie bW.ldir.s
ool!apsed due w the hoay puuudi'ltS 1t had .trom OQr t.aak
'/ 5 {.rullB.

still holo1ng tho po1t1on as of the _preY.loua night.
ahell1AI and mortaring the Battal1on area.
arr.lve4 and eent to. the oompaaioa whoae raAk
&adlJ due to heaY,J O&MQaltloa.
c CompanJ reported that 2 ot one of the1r ha4 out
a.Dd at tbl preaaut time 1t 1mpoaa1ble for thea to 11Dk llp 12lth the !Joya.
The enamJ were 'ala\)Ol'DlJ hold1.r-: oa to ho"aes cleap1 te .ere
po uncJl na b7 all oar aapp o rt weapon a.
1000 The c. o. 1/ Lt.-col. s .. 11. ftwmaon reported to B. B. Q. 1ihat htJ waa now te>rwar4
d1reot.1.ng op.,rat1on.
Remarks, references
to Appendioee and
initials
lA
I
WAR DIARY
M .F .M, 11
40/ P & S/ 37 (9/42)
OR
I nstl'Uctions \egarding preparation of
War Djar ies (which will be kept from first
cf. Title pages will be prepared.
forwarded to 0. i j c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
Place
In the Field
ITALY
(Erase heading not requ'ired)
Date Hour Summary of Eventa and Information
x
(
llOO
1115
1L.(J c. o. X':iported. that tank!J betng to advant36a and oomparai
wertl alovrlJ hoaae bJ botlae to th) !'lOaTH end ot tha town, meetiJla
.bea"tJ cppoa1 tlon eyer7 atal' o! tbe "6J
.\ o.,ID.PSI\1 rtlportf')d t-hdt one ot tanka ba4 been ]m(,ol:.ed out
b P.. l"'lalJ e flrcd f:tom an llp8taJ.X> 'fl. ndOw Ot a houe.
The Lo7al li.Bgt .ruported that wore u.a1Jl& a. ill rower
1n tna1r aeotor, bu.t at Ler. d1 reot1n& 1l re 1n that ar:Ja, 3- bl.lJ.liU.ns
hall oollaped. ln the all e1 llie throlw.Jr wa llM4, anc1 1 t waa ao t
3noountored agaln.
lJOO 0 Ccmpany reported they had reOOY6N41 thti11" 2 miald. n& aeotlone 1nt.act. Some
ot the ll$aa1q men bad Mtm prtaon&rR of the GeJ'!Ian8 1n a bt.".t mtre
turned oyer looae. when our troop oaptured t.tu hou .. , k1ll11'11 many 814
takins 16 pr1oner.
1400
1600
1700
J. R .Q. 'forward 9Jld a 8llild1ng 1.n the t& to
l'rlaoael' ..-zoe lJrougllt 1n to B.D. all were Yery J'OWllt the age 'be1q
19.
'l'he Company OODHUclated tor the n1pt 1D a l1De :fracunq fm m 3261.'9 to
332112.

Remarks, references
to Appendic6L'I and
initials
/
f
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
& S/37
OR
Instructions :regarding prepa.rati011 of
forwarded to 0. i/c 2nd Echelon for disposal.
Plaoe
In the ]
1
1eld
ITALY
Da.te Hour Summary of Events and Information
26
DEC
44
( cu nti nu.e d)
CApt D.S. Harle.y, o.c. C Coy was
Offi s., Li oo. t. ti. Healy.
severl0y wounded, also one of hia Platoon
The -.;tJ.ea1y 111Dl''tar1ng all night. Strong Aot;1ve patrols on both sidell, olaahbs
throughoat the night into a .hand g:r.enade war.
27 06
Di!:C
The Companies were still holding the same positions. Knemy, shelling and
mortaring the Battalion area.
44
D Company reported mortar fire c:,n their von tiona oom:Lng trom the area
of 328165.
07CJt "0." Company reported advano1ng slowly, progreaa b1ndred by heavy enemy
opposition. D Company reported favourable progress.
093 C Company reported that they were on obj ot1 v
LOu Re1nforoe.men t a arrived at .B. H. (l. and w d g t h e ccmp s.
111 C Company reportad that a large factory at 330168 wa& atrongly b7 the
enemy, tbey were able to g.:tt into che of the bu.1ld1ng, bu.t were
unable to gat OJ.1 the flr111t flour wh1oh wae heavily by the enemJ.
l 5CJ An o G.cou p wa& held at wh1 oh the c. u. J/Lt.-ool. s. w. 'l'hcmson laid 1 t down
that at first light, A Company wo_uld attack the taotory holding a.p C Compaf17'
progress, wou.ld take 4 to 25 pound olf.arge w1 th them al1d demolish t.be bl11141ng.
:.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initiab
WAR DIARY
M.F'.M. 11
\10/P & B/17 (ll/U)
OR
1
.Y Title pages will be prepared.
Original, duplicate fl.Ild triplicate to be
Place
In the l!
1
1el d
l'I'ALY
Date Hour
27
D;.;.C 1500
44
28

44
o8uo
1000
( EraBe heading not required)
Swnmary of Events and Information
(Con n1.1e d)
D Compauy to atreet from they were holding oa.t and Wl.pe
01.1t all \)_ppo e.ltion. The Loyal .c.dmonton negi wollld conftrm w1'th the
oJ C and in conJWlotion wit.h them, {3&tabl1eh a la'\eral. linli. The PPCLI '
would then mooye through and olean up rilma1nder of t:W towa aro1111d the
oemetary area.
The to maintain aot1 ve .. trol& du.rlng the e'Yen1ng and night
&h8ll1ng and mortaring yery light throllgho u.t the night. Aoti patrolling
on both w.Ldea 1n many olaahea.
Compan1ea report&d enemy -yery quiet, no Are at all.
2 a1v111an11 repQrted to B.H.Q. that the \jnemy had v.d.thdra"'n from tt..e town at
0430 hr. c.o. 4/'Lt.-oolJ s. W. Thomson reported this information to
Brigade Headqu.arters who at the aame time had a &im1lar report from
t.i:e Loyal Bdmonton Regiment.
}/Lt.-ool. G. W. 'l'homson instructed A and B oompan1ea to fe..:l tbeir way forward
and cand baok 1nfonnat1ona t once.
The BI1 gadc Dr!. gad1er B.M. Hof'fmH1 et er arr1 Ydd at B. H. Q. l o eomn:m4
fu.rthr operat1o:1s from there.
F1om report the sent 1n to B.H.Q., it was evident thE;) enumy ha4
w1 thdram from ORTON A, s9 t:nded a lons bloddy se1att. VJhioh was to
by the a& a miniature Beige of Leningrad.
Remarks, references
to Appendices fl.Ild
initials
.. l
WAR DIARY
M.F.M .. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
InstiUotions regarding preparation of
J pages will be prepared.
_..
Original, duplicate and triiJlicate to be
Place
In the Field
ITALY
(Continued) 2.

44
1100 The oompaniGs reported that the town waa of the but road
1200 1200
29
Di!:C
44
1210
1600
1800
and atreeta were heavily m1necl, and many the build1.1lg booby trapped. 'l'hey
aaked for the to as81at them by aweeping patha the m1nea.
Z Light k.:k .Aok Un1 ta moved into OH.Tv.NA in preparation againlilt expected enemy
a1 r att aoka.
A Compf.lll.y reported they had untered no eneruy and had reached and found Ql. ear,
the gully in the N. W. aeotor of the town, had ob11erved movement on th8
other side o,f the gu.lley, and asked f"or the .Batt al1on J" Mor. tars to f1 re
on area. The c. o. #Lt.-ool. s. W. Thomaon laid o.n as ahot wl th u .. e Art1 FOO.
b\J_t t.Ae ahoo t waa oanoelled when A oompany reported mo"Yementa ol!laened were
Italian a1. v111ania making way toward the town.
i'he Loyal roportcd that an uld b'ort an.i area. which the
enemy had was now olear.
i planes attaaked the town strafing the street& and dropping 2 bomb.
Ack Aok for one of planes.
l!:xcept 1'or a amo.Wlt of lrlhel.L1ng, 1n the toV'.n the night waa "fery q\liet,
brinalnl to a oloae one of thd toughest and blo4d1e&t batles the
has fot1ght i n/
1
'
During t.he ctay, the town became a b1Ye of act1v1)J aa AMGOT cand 'V&r1ou.
other offio1als mo'Ved 1n.
Remarks, references
to and
initials
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/17 (9/42)
OR
War Diaries (which will be from first
. Original, duplicate and triplicate to be
7
Place
In Field
ITALY
Date Hour
29
D.!!C
44
44
( oo n ti nu.c 4)
Th(; Mobile batha arrt veu, and. Q.JJ. Capt. D. n. Cam..: ron, arrangttd
to.t' tlla men to have ahower and acoe" to ths1r large pao 1b ere theJ
get claan clothes to change in to after batb1ng. It was the f1rat time 1n
t.bat tht= trooplil were able to relax and olean ap.
Burial parties vNrt: from the to bury our fallen oomra.ciee.
Act1 v1 t;y waa 11m1 ted to local patL'Ola and the compall1t:lil moYed iut.o the
following art:as. A company 330169, B company .;32170 0 Coy J29172, Coy
329165 and BHQ 33166. During the day Jrd Cdn Ird Bde rnaae a l!t flanking
mOVi::mt-:nt contacting lhe our own front be1ng very qll1et.
called 1n to tl'le S.eaforh of c B. H. Q. tor and o Gr<.a p
mere be stated that th;;;: 2nd Bde woul.d remaln 1-" OlflUNA tor a mllnth 1D a
deft:ns1 ve m le, aacLi.!Or ra-orsa.nizat1on and re-equipment. All troop a to
be bllletud 1n hoa.a.::a d&trtng that per1od.
A amal.l am 11nt of sllell1ng 1a thd town <mr1ng thr:: night.
Already, labour was being NOr'-li. ted !'rom tbt o1 v1l1an poplllat1on for the
purpose ot cleaning the town. Th<a 'lh1l"d Brigade pa&sEid ti!rv gh the
town and took poa1 tiona 1n the ll.rt:a of lll&.
All Compan1ea spent tlle 1n gdn.:tral clean up and reat, all
b1ll et ud 14l house a.
..
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials

l
WAR DIARY
M.F.M. 11
40/P & S/37 (9/42)
OR
11
1Y
Place Date Hour
In tla Glld
U.Y
44-
31

44
Swnmary of Events and Information
(con !.1 nueC!)
Lt.-ool. A.J. Creighton arrived to vor.:t;:and of the$ Battal1.on. J/Lt.-ool.
s. :w. J.homtJvu l'd"fdrt.c.;O. to Jdlii: rank o! ::ajnl" 1n propar:;tt1cn for hlil rtituru to
and. b.a;jol' D. Clark ar:.r1 VHd to over the dut 1 ea of 2 1/ o.
A sw al.L of chell a on 1. sk1 rt s o1' tlw town during the night
O.li. lit. ool. .J;. J. Orai aooumpW1.i.6d b,y t.he 2 1/ o lflajcr Clark, de
a r oi t.he o,,n,pt-I"J.Y areas.
o1'gan1zed to up re;;op.:tct1e areaa. Bath paraclea
gtiDeraJ. ci.ean up 1 LL order all day.
Coy CulllilB.!Uit:ril cie!une pla.a.s of areau 1n oae of counter at.taok
b.Y t ,ht;; dfl t::ID.Y
Aux:ilia.ry arnv.;;d. 1n town, md tu a fllm in one
thd bu1ld1ng.s next
began to drift 111 from il1lla, a1 d were prompily haDdl84 by .AMGVX.
No ahelliug chlrillg day, but in the the enemJ f1red a few ahell
iul.u tbd town.
Remarks, references
to Appendices and
initials
I I
SEUOitfH HIGHI.:MDERS 0 C..UADA.
OPEKDIOES TO WAR DIARY
I. .PART I!.. ORDERS
2. A.F.N.'s 3008-3009
3. tl.ESJAvES :.JUlUll(} DEC.
4. XMAS G-REETINGS TO .ALL T::f1L;;r J.iiHOI4
'.Clili ARMY C.MDR.
5. TRACE OF MINEFIELDS IN ORTONA
6. D.h;TA!Ll!;D ACCOUNT O.F OP C.
ANNUAL DINitER BY OFl:'ICERS
STA.i:lONl!:l> IN U.K.
7. C.O.a AID COY. CMDRS.
AOOuUNTS O:E'- ACT I OilS IN D.3C. 4.3.
-
O.iUG. TRIP.
X
X
x.
x.
.A.. l.. x..
I
L::t s t Order TEZ SEAFORTII HIGIILA1'WEHS OF CAITADA This Order
No. 69 Part II Orders Issued By No. 70
l Doc 13 SECTION, G.H.Q.,
Echeoon, ITORTH AFRICA 3 Dec 43

---------------------------------------
11
A
11
OFFICERS
1. INC
7
-' J;J SE
(a}T.o.s. fron X4 List Seaforth of C (4Bn) vr.a.-f. 16 Nov 43. Auth..,.
Ech 1/267 d/14 Nov 43
Lieut. D.S. Harley
2. JJPOI I>Pr i:E_ & pno: mTIONS
(a) To bo Captain w.e.f . 11lTov LU. Ove::secs 4024 dated
19 Nov 43
Lieut. :.,.C.L ='.C.
.) .': T
_:_,lLL;_,
3. 81'1\ElmTE
(a)s. o t o X3 List 0 f c
1
.-: c f Cates on to hosp
( s icli:)
K6 2201 P te.
1';[102656 Pte.
K53555 Pte.
K52130 Pte.
2330 ;J gt
sell,
Dolan.,
Fro ea<:.: n,
Gr2r1.t,
Gront,
l -
-. . - D}j
:.JoJo
13
11::.
]_.:.;.

lLj.
.L\
ov 43
43
lTov 43
r:ov 43
'1-3
(b) S.o.s. to 2 C.I.B. 9 43. Rear Div HQ
K53133 1/Cpl. Brmin, C --'. Coole
11
C
11
' '1' .
Rowcrtacl t o
K53555
K52130
--6.-."0l
1\. t:_c_
permanent gra c1c
Pte. (A/1/Cpl.)
Pte. (h/1/CDl.)
Pte.
5'. THt.DESl:EN I & QU". Lif. I CATI :
(D) - Petri II Order Fo. 6'7
as the y refer to tiw u/n ere
/ E36 528 Pcc. bbott,
l-'to.
6. Tn D!!:Sr .EN
1
5.11 :.Tb6 OF P \ v
(a) md
1
t - Pa :rt II Or der l'Jo. 67
ns they refer to tho u/m o:;:o
H36528 Pto. Abbott ,
Pte.
of Pte. w .o .f . dates on be in: J 00
n
'"'
.. -
111- Nov 43 -'--. _,
.r . .
l'r'' 1t
---
.D
l ,1
IJov 43 ., '-!. .,
- r
;i.1l,"5 3 G J.J_? J'
:,
1'"' !:- 3 .) . ov
para 12(d) and (o) of 25 Nov 43 insofar
CDi.1CCllec1
-. ;--,
..0:\. 0

(c) of 25 ?Jov t:-3 insofar
. /Ylp

-
' '
TI-18 II;I:GHLAl;D:gmS OF CANADA Order
No 71
Last Order
I'To o 70
3 Doc 43
Part II Orders I$Sl.+od By
SECTICJJ; 2nd C.?'\.F. 18 Dec 43
1. STRE WTE I 1!CRE E
(a) T . o . s . "from X4 Soafqrth
Ech 1/451 d/28 Nv 43
Lie11t L 21 HC:SIido
(b)
T.o.s, fron X4 List Seaforth. o:f c (4Dn) .. -f,e .,f,
Ech l/476 d/6 Dec 43
ll.uth .,...
Lieut. P.H. Claxton
Lieut. D.C.
L
. t ' G l l rr K ..
. 1e:t1 ,... . .. .. .hac en.u
(c) T.0.-3. from X3 Seaforth qf C -vr.e.t, 5 D()c L1r3 on dis froEi hosp
Lieu.t .. :G E. en'! Em
2. STRENGTH DECP.EA ):ill
W S. 0 .6 . to X3 -;t Seaforth
9f C -r,:oc,f. dtttos sl1mm em adr.1 to hosp
( s ick ) .
Lieut . K. G. HcBrido
l./Capt
Licut. J. 0. _Noxon
D .F. NeFson '
3 Dec tr 3
7 Doc .43
3 Doc !;-3
20 Nov 43
('b) S.o.s : to X3 L.istH.C.i .. .. 281-:ov '--1-3 on adr.l to h()spital
( sic k ) --
Cap:t . ':: .i-: ;:;;uthorla!'ld :
'
(c) ,3 .o.'!s . to X3 List -8cafortl1
.
of C 5 Doc 43 on adm to hbspital
-- -' Licnt 1 .-}.
Lioi.1t. F Pe_rrott
3. : .. T5.:.crreD
(a [ .. tt foa.no to H.Q._ 2 C.I.D. Yr.;.c.f. 29 Fov 43
Lieut . I .Ii. Mo1huish'
' .. ' ommED
(a) Tho u/r::. c:ifficeT's Yrere wounded y.; .o .f. 5 Joe 43.
D.C.1. Ser
115 d/13 Dec U _
Liout. 1:.:. Leckie
Lieut. F.R.' Petrett
"B" OTHER RlJ.iKS
5. STRENGTE INCBZl.SE
(a ) T.o.s. from X4 List of
P.O. 143 d/27 Nov 4l .
K53078 Pte. Groem1e11,
Pt_o. . Loowon,
T .
=r.q. 2 C .I .B. .o .J::.

- --, ( r; l
_ _..LOU ..c-"- Ftc. L1:;lis,
1
,,
" .
. --,
!...
........
19 Fov' <-3.
J .,::-I ..
28 Nov o
1.
v .. #.
43. -
f .. ut:1. - l Cdn Div
Ft r ]'N "D
11
'la.uth - Comd 2 C. I .B.
.... \. ' . - ..
TBE 3Ef.,FORTH HIGHL:.NDERS OF Ci . NL.Di.
- pngo 2 -
No .. 71
18 Doc 43
5o G'l'Ri::Lt>TGT .. T '.SE 'B2 ...
(d) T.O.S . fron o:f Qal).ada 43. t .. uth- Comd
1 C.I.D.
K52212 Pte.

1
:I.J.3.
(o) T.O.S. from X3 Li. t Seaforth of C 16 Oct 43 on dis fron hosp
Pte. Hutchinson, J .t ...
(f) T-.0 .S. ::->'. 1 Cdn Div Sp Bn (SLI) :C.crenont \! .o .f. 17 N<)V <<)
K76495 Pte o : F.
{g) T.O.S. f:rc-. .. 1 1 Cdn P.R. 25 Nov 43. : .. 2ECH
1 Dly/2 d/24 Nov 43
(h)
: ' -
/ I
K53054 Pte. T.ro}1or;n:o.,, ,. :_ F.,.
T.O.S. fron X4List Seaforth of
Ech 1/353 d/22 Nov 43
JI1061) . ;pte.; [,11uorth
7
. K52970 Pte. c:1risnas, .
<K52586 Pte. Darvill,
Pte.
K69'707 . . Pte. Rolston,
p ""
1
... - . J ,. "G.e .
r.n2234 Pte. Fwrran,
K54061 Pte.
. K63106 _Pte. . Smedley,
'. C79228 , Pt_e. Topping,
1Il06243 '.7hslo,
J .G

G.
I-I o
'.7
..:...!:
L.
L .: ..
-_? o T
J
..,
l) .!J
o.
I-I .C ...
. D /
. J.
L.VG
; J'T '.:
,; .
J.
C.G.E.
30 Nov 43.
(j) T.o.s. froB X4 List Seaforth of c ( t,J3n)
1
.c.f. 29-Nov
Ech 1/353 d/22 43 -.: . ' '
K53237 Sgt. Buckley, D ,:I.
K52328 Pte. Claxke, . , .....
.. g67495 Pte. Delorno, D .
' ... L.15 .. 40.8 .. r:; ..--pt o.. D.'...... . . .. .. ' . .. ' .
-' -v iJ.pUlS' : ... ; "- J ,;.u
Pte. t
r:- _r.a , .. .. :: ..
K'1J209 Pco; 1J.au::os - .... _ . J.
K57688 Klinr;cr;-_ -- ---- .. . . .. ..
. '\ \
. . ... . ... > .. - \
.,, ......
-' I
u.t-J.l. -
l .. ut ... : -
N._ . 71
18 D:..;c <-3

5. STRENGT i IIifCRE:.SE ( COIITT
1
D) .
(j) Cont ' d -
K37058 Pte.
KLi-7952 Cpl. Venus;,'
(k) T aO.G fron 1Vr Li::;t s f <)I'th of c ((JJn) '-
-"'
12 lJ8C
<-3. utl1
. C o _L

Ech 1/476 d/6 Doc t.- 3
K66512 Pto . Lllc. j:'d , G. .
Kl:-2903 Pte Blancl:la rc:_,
('I
T c c :,_ "C II . V o ,.LI. o
K6930
1
;. pte.
Boyle, D.f .
II12 561 s gt.
('[!:':10 ' R.
C80J7!r Pte. J.F .
E46831 Pte. = Ic.: r s J.1c-: 1 l , J.
Blr6915
,.,
Cl20192 I' to.
.. .. Iitci1oll,
E
I\
a '-..:
_K(8_476 Pte . L.Oran,
F ",: .
Klr9081 Pte. IJclson,
....,
C)G [j

Pte Nelson,
-7 I
--- ) 7 . :. eL.-
.
II106133 Ftc. IT'c
1!65310 Ftc. northcy, L
KJ61r66 Pte-. Pet :L.'"l c
9
c F c =-I o
lt<'r8272 Pt e . Pnr.l: ,
'
.J

Pte . - _
T_T ---
ll .
Dl091r83 l i> e . L.G.
Pte . Scrcpnok, T
'
"'l0hl39 Pte . Vissc:1c:r, J. -- - ./ r
Ftc .
lC"lC
1
1i
1
:
=i.E .
.. "' l " . -'
=ao
1
,855 Pte

:allaco, c.c.
"'Ot:
ftc c::a ts Oil.,
....
'- r)' 0
- l c .!...:J 0
l=l06707 P'-:c. F.lJ "
c --,,
;, c. s' ' 0
1'1106338 Pte t> fo-"d
"
. \l.Lc; .L,, v 0
"r:;

c:[illians'
-:-:1
oC D --- / ./:J

LJ
lilO 5662 Pte. ':;;inter,
-.
A --o
..,.:...:... .
=uo5089 Pte.-
.1- r\ ,.,.
I
: ..L l.o."- '-'
0
'
0
II105985 Pte .
,-Iolff,
A.
IG6372 Pt e . .food , L'.F.
Pt e . oodwa rd._, il cD o
:no6705
n
G-
.. "Lc .
I\ 491.-04 Pt G . - o o C-r o

pJ-_,. .
Zar 'U!::la , s .J :.
- ... '-" .
.
=ao6137 Pte . Z ol-i vst:i ,
J-.
=1105410 Zyt aru:.... - 0
K53055
' '
=:cch
"C"
Pto . 1a r s l arid , Dr
K650l7 PtG . .!o,ore , Je2
. Dr "C II
K737!:-6 Pt G:
p .l: ..
:0 . . l e ,. .
Cl0579 P-t;e . L.
Il165676 Pt e .
..
Ruttcq.fussor,
,-, . J 0
C]_Ol774 'S dn , P.A.
.
-
S i " s

Ii10o633 Pt o
..
Spi..q_::s , . J .A.
Pt ,::: --:-ils_o:J. , ;
J
-:r
. ;,
,,
(8-&. o.;:; .:-:O:r. datos siwwn (Killed in Action).
-G/13 lr3
Auth- D.CoL. Scr 133
. ____ E52036 A/cs== . . -Dla kc:r, -!I.A .
Pto.
3

.
TBE SEAFORTH IIIGHLANDEPS CF CANADA No. 71
- pa go t;. - 18 Dec 43

6, SrrTIENGTil DECREASE" (C011T
1
D)
(b) S . o .S. to X3 Sea forth
(sicl:)
of C n.o.f. datos shovln on ae;,:.1 to hosp
Pto. Be.1tort
K52376 Sgt. Booth,
K69304 Pta.
K53899
K52186 1/C 1l\, J3cgg
K53251
K46106 Pte. .Chrishop,.
K43510 Pte. :Jlackburno 7
K52911;- PtG Cm.11!l.ing,
K52886 Pto. Davies,
K53050 Pta. Davies,
K52916 Pta. Dale,
K68715 Pta. Deschene,
K75686 Pto. Grant, ,
K52693 Pto. Tiodgson,
D.
G.
D. P.
R. J.
J .
II .R.;., ..
J .s -.
L.

F
D. :-I.
R.
H.J.
J. 186860 Pte.
K76490 Pto. Haines, G.G.
D 8 2LI,!;.L'r P t c Hm7S Oh, P
K62l70 Pto. Halhed,
K42990 Pte. Harasynchuk,. J.
K-57523 "Pto. Kormaro,
K57688 Pto. Klinger,
Pte. Larson,
K53988 Pte. Lanbo,
K10227 Pto.
i\r:cKav
-- ., '
K53512 Ptoo
K67355 Pto.
K521,78 ' CSii. IIcf"Iahon,
K53840 1/C IIcinroy,
K5241,5 Pt o . ::orrison,
K52973 P:co. l' Iurdock,
K5t;-052 Pto. . Eov:at,
?to. Hantio,
?to. :rurphy,
K52220 I'Iarshall,
K53152 1/Cpl. Eatchett.,
c .10L,096 Pte.
Bl326Q9 Pt o . Orrons,
H.
G.
H.-.!.
H.C.
L .B.
G. =I.
J .N.. .
' ' d eJ.,.) D
--, fl
_./
J.
c .1.
H.
T.J. I(6 5950 Pte. Reddington,
174658 rto. Rogers, R.C.
13621,7 J?t.e. St. Gel'r.1ain, i:..
Pte. SchGldi:, J.C.
K52506 Cpl. Stophon,
={101340 Fto .. 1,
K53294 SiEJ.pson,
Pt o Stant on,
' K52319 Street,
K6286o P-'ce. Tebbutt,
E52694 Pte. Ha1sh,
K53183 Pt e. Walter,
K53 552 Pte. ri g_ t ,
K52585- Pte.; .J;i::nnirig,
I-:29183_ Pte. :: :t::ts.on ,
/' r.::r .
' Ko22) ::J P t e. Vogel,
.. . ; .
TT
J 0 .L-..L
L.J.
J .:
1.
F .ic.
D.
G.
J.
J .P
1 Doc <-3
2 Doc
2 Doc 1,3
t;. Doc Ll-3
29 Nov 1,3
29 nov ...
1, Doc 1, 3
25 TL1v !.-3
25 I/C:',l
1
r3
t, Doc <-3
1 Doc
2/r l\T OV /r 3
9 Doc <-3
26 nov 1.-3
29 Hcv l,3
12 Oct
9 Dec <-3
G Doc <- 3
1 Doc L, 3
Dec 3
1 Doc
1 Doc -":-3
29 Nov
29 Nov 1;.3
l Doc 1;.3
27 Nov 43
1
;. Doc 1;.3
3 Doc :,3
28 Nov <3
29 Nov 1.-3
29 Nov 1;.3
5 Doc 1,3
9 Doc <3
8 Doc 1,3
l . Doc 43
l Doc <- 3
f , Doc t , 3
1 Doc <3
3 Doc <3
3 Doc 1<3
28 Nov <3
2 DGC d
1 Doc <3
1 Doc <- 3
2 ;) ec <- 3
9 Dec <3
2 Doc <3
4 Dec 43
3 Dec 43
2 Dec 43
4 Dec 43
4 Dec 43
3 Dec 43
29 Nov 43
28 Nov 43

F :. 71
TEE SEAFORTH HIGHLA.N:OERS OF CAN8.DA
a "O r'.
18 Dec i, 3
-IJ6.)-

6. .TB.ENGTII
(b) Cont '.d
. K?2997 Pte. Yeonans,
K53297 Pto. Franklin,
(c) s .0 .s .
to X3
List
8 ea forth. of
c ' .. 'oGe:fa
_(wounded)
Kruaer
J.
. . b
6
Doc l, 3
/,. Nov 43
Doc
L't 3 on
6 Doc
[, 3
..
adr: to hosp
-K67830
.
(d) 8 .D.S. to'l Cc\n Div Sp Dn :(SLI) Increnont vr.s_.f . Oct 1,3
=I52933 Pte. l\,d'C, .. J.
I:l6 . . Pte . Dell, I .. 0 .A .II.
(e) S.O.S. to 2 C.,I.:=-. w.o.f. date.s shovJn. Auth- Cond 2 C.I.B.
)Z5.29iO Pte. chrisnas, C.}l. 26 Nov t,3
K52237 Pte. Peters, D. 1 Dec 1;.3
: (f) S .o .s. to 1 .Edn.Hsgt Vi .e .:f . 17 Ncv t,J.
Autl1 - 1 Cdn. Dhr-
Ft:r :-:v "Du
p T At' J:-:1.-lJ,.
.:__ ) r "GO I' ... 'lUI'' :t
.: ) f)
1
t - POrt JI ol,der 11o . 52 pa;a .4(C) Of j_t, insofar as it
r Gfl e:Ps to tho u/n is cancelled ' . ._.
J
)
(c)
D8J02t.- Pta. =2alw:r, D.
to :'1. . Q. "2 C .' I .!..J .
; . o .t. dates s'nmrn
J. 29 i"'Y! !,3
Pte .
Pte.. I J:g.1is ,
t o b.e att r . a . !J . to :: .Q.
. Pta .
K5'2973 ::. ,. A./C.: 1
1.. 28 Nov 43
2 C .I ..
1.
1. ' .
b.
; r
0
(; f d. B. t C S
.2 5 Nov L', 3 ..
5 Doc :,3
30 Nov /,.3
K52237 Pte . Pet ers ,
f .a .p. fron X,'r Li. t of C
Ceases to be
27 Nov
1
r3
K53078
:nl567
Pte.
Pte.
-Greenvvoll,
Loevv-en,
'T
0

\V 8. f.
8. r' ILI TA.BY HELPEHS
""Gi") To be Helpers (surplus to -.!.E.) w .c .f. 1 Doc !;-3. To
_r_eeain posted to Seaforth r f C . Auth - CEC ;!55/A.ux Sor Gon/1 d/
1 :D8c L';-3
E 52740
K52221
Pte. Gratton,
Pte. Raffa,
. . ' .
9.-: -'V>(CUNDED
(a) The u/n 0 .?.. vm s vTOunded \7 .o. f.
d/ l.) Dec lr3
. K67830 ' , . CT)l- -Kruger;
R .P
F
. '
J.
(:J) To be} :; ,e .f. 9 No7 1,3
K53102 (A/L/Cpl) (l,/qpl). C .1.
- -i ...
. . . ... . -
'
THE SE,FORTH HIGH1i.NDEicS OF Ci .. E; .
- pa go i -
Nc. 71
18 Dec tr3
----------------------- ___ _..,.;,. __ ------------ ':"'"---------
10. A_PPOii'ITilENTS CONT ' Dl
(c ) To be 1 Srt. w.e. f . l Dec 43 .
K52996 . Cpl. (A./1/Sgt) .. Eunro, G: .D.
11.
(a ) Confir ed in the rank .of Corporal \7 .e .f. 15 Nov 43
K67830 Pte. (A/1/C)l) Kruger,. J.
K52446 P (A/CJl) Peace, C.:"..
' '
(b) Confirned in the ran
1
.c of -vv.e.f. dates
K52376 L/S gt. (A/S ;_:t) Dooth, G. 26 Jul 4 3
K53509 Cpl . . :Blaschuk, J; 30 Nov 43
12. REVEPS I ONS
(a} Revert s to perr.anent g;rade of Pte at oYJn request date s.hovm.
. To dra d r ebir. ent-a l rates of pay of $1.50 per c1ien :.
( b )
K53251 c_pl . J. 25 No : Ll-3
113774 .A/1/C:.,.l . Drb0ne , 25 N 0 \' 43
K67344 .A/C_-: 1 . F.J. 25 Nov
Dl35996 1/Cp1 . Schofie l d , C .A. 23 Nov 43
' .

K53050
.K6 2170'
K52693
X529T5
. K5'2997
Pte ;;r . e . f . date shoYTn on being S.O.S.
Pt e . (A/C:::I J,. ). Davies , F .D . 1 D =- c 43
Pte . (A/1/ C!1 ) ." . 1 De c 3
Pt.e . (.A/Cpl) . I:I odgsep, F .D. : 29 Hov 43
Pt e . (A./C:t) l ). ,:Iurdock, L:.; : 5 De c 43
Pte .(A./C:._ ,l) . Ye o;;an.s , : .G. 4 Dec 43
(c) Re .. verts' to A/1/C.::I at onn VJ .o .f. 24 Nvv 43
:. K66225 , Pte. (A/1/Cpl) (fi,/CpJ). Davy, C .?:L
, ,, . , I ' ' , ' "
(d} Reverted to .. lv.e.f. 4 D>.; c 43 on being 3.0.8.
K53102 1/Cpl. ?fatchett, C .L.
13 TR QF .P . . .
. (a) Granted tr.a des:::1en
1
s of pay Dr I::.e ch . . _
11
C
11
v1. e . f.
K29167 Cpl. Pierce, .I .S. 21 Nov 4 3
K52399. Cl)l. Eiguez, . . J. . - 26 .43
date sho17ll
(b)
rates of :uay I''Iotor :::echanic

11
:-::
11
1 e . f . 43
K52322 Pte. Petersen, .. Dr rrcrr
.
(c) Reverts to re gt I 1 rates of pay of $1.50 per diel", :date SJ}:O';!n < ." ,
Pte. Edgington, E .E. Dr IIech
11
C
11
21 Nov 43
K)7179 Pte. Ste':mrt, D Tech Stnn "C" 24 Nov 43
(d) Ceases to d't'.qW tradesnen's rates of pay Dr

shown
K52065:
:K53752 .
K53362 .
1 l"<ros ...
u_b.l _ .
1.
Cpl. Scriver,
1.1.
TT I
J..l I;: ,a. a
20 Nov 43
25 Nov 43
25 Hov 43
(e) Reverts to regt
1
1 rates of pay of $1.60 por die!.l u .G .f. 1 Nov 1.,3
D82004 Pte." J.S. Dr
11
C
11
14. PUNISHHEI\fTS .
(8) On 23 Nov 43
UllG.Ol" 8 OC 40
K69799
..
awd 10 days F.P. end of 10 days pay for an 0ffence
L. ;;[... Forf 10 cb ys pay uncJ er FH&: I 149 ( 2)
Pto. i.7l1ito, G.
TilE SEJ.FORTH HIGHLf .. NDE1:1S OF Cl.Nt.Dll. No 71
'-page 7- 18 Dec 43

15. "F R?Ii. GES , DIRTHS . l'l""D
(a ) Dorn, a son,
K37028 .
on 9 Oct .43 to Daley 0Iife)
T
16 NEXT OF KI T
(a Chango of fron Yin (father) to :Iary
Hutchinson (nothor), P .0., Saskatchevlan, Canada
186860 Pte.. Hutchinson, J l.. . . .
(b) Change of address H-of-K nrs. L-.-_;:;illo Poace Lmthor) to - :;ox 283,
Vancouver, D.C., Cangda
K5244o Cpl. Peace, C

(C;,O. 11aciP..ncs) Lieut.," I
for Officer i/c,
Canadian S G .H .Q., 2nd Echelon,
Last Order
Noc 71
18 Dec 43
THE SEAFORTH OF CANADA
Part II Orders Issued By
CANADIAN SECTION, G.H . Q., 2nd ECHELON, C .U.F.
This Order
No. 72
19Pec 43

1. STRENGTH DTCREASE
11
A
11
OFFICERS
(a ) T .o.s . from X4 1i's t Se.aforth of C (4Bri) ri.e 17 Jl!ov . Auth -
Ech 1/ 283 d/ 14 Nov 43
Lieui;. K . F .. Ba.rton .
(b) T.O.S .. fr om 5 Cdn :ird mo , . e . f . 2 Dec 43.: li.uth- 1 Cdn Div
, Capt. E.HD
2. STP.ENGTH INCREA-SE
''B II OtHER RANKS
(a) :T .o.s. from X4 List Seaforth of c
Ech 1/333 d)i6 Nov 43 .. .
M12051 Pte.
;_
r531Q6 l?te. .
K53.037 Pte. :J. arr1ngt on,
(4Bn) W.,e 19 NOVi 43.
H. -

R. .
J .H.
Dr ikech ''C''
"C't
CClrp
11
B
11
.
Dr Hech "C"
l.;.uth -
( b) T .e .s . froo X4 1:Vlt S-eaforth of c ( 4Bn) . e .f. 17 Nov 43. Auth ...
Ech 1/283 1 ov 43
- J-{52566" L/Cpl . Ada ,
K53118 Cp l . Daws ,
J .a . .
G
. :. /' ... :=. K73854 Cpl . Fitzgerald ,
: ,. .. -, 38468 Pte . Goodfel lo , R ; .7 . R.
K52949 Pte . Goldie, J .Hi
B .E .
.......
I,<52912 .;robnsteme , R . 2r .
K37061 . Pte . Kl assen, P . H
.. . l\9:85/5 l'IcParlon . G .1 .
Pte . :-.a"CDonalJ , L.
K47972 P:'ce . , Hel nyk,
E2632J. P-t e . . 0 ' Farrell,
K6J06.2' Pt e .. Palmer,
K68532 Pt'? .r RutleQ.ge.,
l![lJ..O 52 Cp 1 . . S 0 gmoen,
I\.5247-5 . Sgt . $mith,
EIT7 Q'91 T-h ol!lsen,
E .
G
7
-" .
H . G .r .
:! .s .
J .
G .
' . '
.
(c) T.o.s. from X4 List Seaforth-of c (4Bn)w.e.f. 25 Nov 43.
Ech l/353 .d/22 Noy 43 . . ' .
K53428 . :- .E .
Aut.h
.., I o
(d) T.O.S. from X3 Liit Seafor:t"h of C vr.e.f, 14 Dec 4 3-on dis from hosp
L646i$3 Pte n . BQrg;e.n ,: H .:U. . .
. - ... .
(e) T.o.s .from 2 .. 1.1 .. J7. e ."f.:.; iz ':Fov 43 .. ' huth __ ;P . 0. ' 126 d/20 Nov
K74!)97 ., ... '.nd1.;Ef , -, :! H .F-; _ Ft r JJV 11B"
J S DE : :_ \. . , .. - : . .
-.. .'a) s ... i!:3 -L;i.st o:r :- .e.f .date shQ\:in on adm to hosp
(sick) : : :' .' . :: ,_. _ : ; : :- . ' .
_iil 043-SJ::.- "Pte " fl.l1a . .:b1
1
J .k. 10 Dec 43
. .. llwor .-;h , J .G. 19 Nov 43
.. .. .. . . H.L ." ... 12.Dec 43
.. K1'ol!9.9 R"'J.. 20 lT'w 43
.. --;1-)6?89 . R. 11 Dec 4 3
K5'30.31 Flt e . SwoTds , . E.: , 9 bee 4 3
K76544 L/Cpl . C1.:nk, D :.1. 10 Dec 43
TH.C HIG - QF N 7 2
-- Z- 19 Dec 43

3. STRErrGTH DEeRE t SE {.O.NT n ) .. ,.
(a) Cont r d -
: '
K534.8 Pte Deri'y ; .:
Pte . "Ell,
U2021 Fedrick,
K53308
K4"2015 L/ Cpl . Guerin ,
Pte . Rcim.dal,
K52632 Pte .
. .D82243 p t e . Yilf y,
K45280 Pt . Kinsey. ,
.N710.91 v t d. La-rsen ,
i',.2803 Pte . Lerioire
9
.-
.K-52027 Ppr .
Ktr.8727 i te'. 01son
7
. K2;. 3 534 P'tcr .:
- Pte . Pecb1-e s,
K52258 Cpl . Rankin, .
Hl95174
K42062 Pte: Seymour,
11io6633 Pte . Spinks ,
591 Pte . Thons0:h. ,
K)2 rl6 Pte . T-r enqha rd,
:.(5268.- - e bber,
. J
T..
.
I<:
s .
1.G;
N .l . o

F .1.
.,...
n .
;:..:r
_ ....
N.
G :1-r o
1-I i. ....
.
. a

43
13 Dec
10 .Doc
10 boc t, 3
9 Dec 43
20 Nov 43
io D..e.c ! 43
!2 'Dec 43
12 Dec L'r 3
13 Nov 43
1L'r Dec 3
13 Dec 43
20 Nov 43
12 Doc L'i- 3
12 Doc L'r 3
11 Doc 43
20 Nov 43
20 Nov 43
14 Doc
13 Doc 43
12 Doc 43
12 Doc 43
Piper "C"
iTT& ,
(a) To bo L7C!-: l. I'T.e . f . 13 D8c 1,3 ,. ,
K7o770 Pte; ([./1/C::;1) . ' I .T.
. . .
5. PRO: IOTIONS . ' . ..
(a) ConfirBod in tho ran1-r of Corpor2 1 "o ,:; . f. 13 I'T c l .:. 3
K52-258 Pto. (:./c)1). Rankin,: H.
6. RZVEHSION3
(a) Heve:rtod to Pte. r.r.o.f. date <?n bc ing .S . c ,s . . . '
K53031 Pte . Cr o :e-8r. ords, 9 'Dec 2;. 3
U2021 Pt o ! (f./1/Cp1) . o ._. :1Q. , Diec 43
R. ... . .. ],2 Dec L' r3
Pte. (l./L/Cp1). Seymour: , G. H. 2o N_ov 43
:, i?.:L .... 12. p:ec 1;.3
K524l6 fc o . Trencha r d
1
l I:. 12' Dec 1;. 3
-
. ..
(b) Reverted. to 1/C:-1. P .c .f .. 10 Dec /,3 on being.
1/Cpl. rk, :U. -_- .
7.
pay Piper
11
C
11
. c .f. 14. Dec /;-J. .
Ppr.. . ..T .G.
-.. ;
.. \ .
........ -... .
... , ... .
... -
.. - ' ."
.. -.
-.
...
Las-t.Order
72
'TIIE SEAFCLlTH I-IIGHLAriDERS OF CA:LTA.DA
Part II Orders Issued By
This Order
No. 73
19 Doc 43 CANADI A.H SECTION, G .H.Q., 2nd ECHELON, C .I:I.F. 22 Doc 43
----------------------------------------------------------------------
II A
11
OFFICERS
1 STREHGTH INCRBC.SE
. : : .. J ,.
(afT-. 0 .S . frau X4 List Gen
Echange/1 d./15 Nc'y lld ,
Lieut. J .. c;. ,.Allan
List (4Bn) YJ. e f'. 14 Nov 4 3.
' >
...Auth - 56/
2. STP.El'IGTII DECPJ.I:li.SE
' .) o
(a)S.o.s:-r:.e:"f. 10 Dec 43 . (Killed in Action). D.C.L. Ser 118
( h),
d/20 Dec 43 .
Lieut B.. ils on
S.o.s. to X3 Seaforth of C u.epf.
(aounded) ,
l .. /Lt--C.ol. J .D '' Fc:..'i:1
Capt. Franl ... lin on BO-IT:TELL
Ca pt . !: . G. Parker '
Caot . T Vanee
Lieut 4 K. F. Barton
Lieut D.. HcLau:ehlin
Lieut :. : . Reed
dates sho
1
.'ln
10 Dec 43
10 Dec 43
'10
Dec 43
6 Dec 43
12 :bee 43
1.0 Dec 43
13 Dec
1,1./:o officc1's . . .7ounc1ed
Ser. 118 d/20 .43
Yr dB.tEls shovm .
, / Lt - Col . J . D. Forin
Ce pt .
B.G . ParRe r . .
Ll cut . K. F . Bal''ton
Li-J ut D. \:; 11in
Lieut K Read
. .. . , ' .. .
10 Dec
BONNE.l4L. 10 Deq
-.:
10 Dec
...
;
12 Dec
10 Dec
., .
13
Dec'
<13
,.
43
43
43
43
Ll]
. r .
Oil adn to hosp
..
t .. uth ." - I).C.L.
(b) The u/:m officer YlaS
0
.!0U...'1.ded t7 ::r, ' 6. Dec -43. t .. u..th - ' D .c .L. Ser 117
d/17 3 .. . ..
cant,. T .c: .. J.3 o Var1ce "_w ..
. . .
11
B
11
OTHER RANKS
4. I i:-FChEl.SE
5.
( a ) T.O.S: from X4 . Lis.t Gon List (4Bn) w.e . f. 14 Nov 43. i .. uth- 56/
Exchange/1 d/15 No.v
1
;. 3
1U1048 Sgt. Jans,
J."l ?00.8.5 , .1/S.gt o 1\(o' ToT
1
t' -- G
_ on,; -.
(b.) T. o .s . :from X4 :Lis:t sea forth of c ( 4Bn) w .,o f 2 5 Oct .( 3. -
Ech 1/],.14 d/18 Oct. 4 3
K53235 Cpl. Hutchinson, K.G.
3 .0 .& :: . e . i' . date.s shovm (Kille.d in t.:c.t4on).
136 C./17 Doc lr 3 .. . . ,. ..
&uth -
C?9330 .Pte.. I2cKittrick, J .. u;
lC52223 Pte.. Iion.tgomDry, . H
.. : ;:;'ut'. r;2 0 P J,v- CL. P l' r""' : 1 "i'T
- . . J / - / - -- -- .!!L.ll .. , . . v
li.otiff,
..
7 Dec 1;.3
8 Dec !r3
6 Dec 43
Sor 136 d/
- ... . ..... 4
, . - -
' ..
..
THE SE!.FORTE I-IIGIILl ... OF Cl..Ef ... Di ..
- page 2 - .
No,; 73
22 Doc

5. &THEIIGT1f (COnTT
1
D)
TC"J"S:'o . s. YT .c . f . da t os (Killed in Ation).
138 d/ 20 Dec 43
u t h - D C 1 S or
i157241 Pte . lllarie ,
Hl03 599 Pte . . Baldock, J . L.
K53821 Pt e . Boa ton , F . B.
1 / Cpl .
K46194 Pte .
K67308 Pte . Dempste r , :. .F.
Pte . Edgington, E .E .
K533tr8 Pte . Z:1s; I .
K43556 Pt e . Gr eenl ees , R.E.
K53092 Pte . (: .. /1/ Cp l ) Jo 1;-YlS_on , G. t .
1:131586 Pt e . ([./1/ Cpl ) V. G.
K52022 . Pte . ( . / 1/Cpl ) King , 1:.: .
D95728 Pte . 1 orris , C. :J .
K57478 Pto . S 1eet , J . H.
110l358 Thorpson, G.'"" .
K52"( 36 Pte . -Benl:1e ssy ,
13 Doc 43
10 Doc "'3
10 Dec L.J
11 Dec 'U
11 Doc t;-3
11 Doc !,. 3
11 Dec
9 Doc L'r 3
10 Doc ,::;.3
9 Dec 1;-3
11 Doc t;-3
10 Doc .43
11 Dec 43
9 Dec 43
9 Doc 43
10 Doc 43
Clerk
11
C
11
(d) S .o .3 . to :X3 List Seaforth of C . .- .o .f. date sho"::m on ac1m to hosp
(uoundod)
K68 585 Pte.
. 1103905 Pto.
B25598 Pte.

K67.217 pta.
Pte.
K5'3412 Pto
K53596 . Pte.
K53589 .
K88 028 -Pte.
Kt1r2326 Pte.
K53409 Pte.
.:'156932 Pte.
K69138 Pte.
K52 5Qt;. Pte.
K r- 7972 Pte.
K52329 Sgt.
1
'Il03t: p t 0
K5.3290 Pte.
D860.66
1102013 Pto ..
,, Pte.
K76770 1/Cple
P _:6 .
l .. r mst r ong , . R .: . .
Baka l a ,- 1-J .
Bellinger , E.P.
B:rc-::T! , [ B.
Clark, R.
Ea rl , . C.E.
Frol ander . H_.
G l a s r , F .: -
J.
:"olden, .D
Hollingsuorth,
Kain , J .J.
Logue , L.J.
Lac ,J.IJ.
Uc] :cnry , D .F.
E.
Penman, D .R.
Porras ,
-Tiinrmcr . .. 0
Sauve '.7. J .
Schadt , V .
pp_a r k , R.:.
Thoma s , I .T.
J:i ff.n , R.G.
11 Dec t.-3
10 Doc 43
10 Dec. 43
11. Doc
10 Dec 1,3
10 Dec 1;.3
12 bee fr 3
12 Doc !;.3
ll . Doc t,.3
10 I?ec <-3
ll Doc
13 Doc (3
6 Doc
10 Dec l r-3
13 D.9c :r 3
10 Doc 43
12 pee 3
10 Dec " 3
JJ. Dec 3
12 Doc L1r 3
10 Dec <-3
11 D.o..c s-3
12 Doc 43
11 Doc 43
(--::,) S . o_.S. .to X3' List Seaforth of C YT date shorrn on adm. to, hqsp
... . . .
, ' Pte. . l .. ndersen, C . H.
P.to. Cartwright , H.
K37026 ftc. Cairns,
. K530?l Fto. Coon, D.c . . ,
. 06 () ,..... . ,
.. Lb 7o'J Pte. Cc:urns, T. .Ft .
!C109069 Pte. D . I.l . ..
52 Pte F.ee;fist.r a , T. .. .
K70.970 Pte. Goodell -, F .
L)268 8 Grnham, H.T . 11 .
6 Doc 43
8 Dec 43
8 Dec t:-3
8 Doc :L, 3 .Dr l1ech "C
11
6 Doc t.- 3
6 Doc 43
6 .Do c, 3 . , . .. . .. .
8 Do-c .. 3
8 Doc l'r]
.
I
: , 4
; ..,. "7' r ..
..
I' '
I
I : . ,
, .. . "; ' : . ..
':. .
THK SEc. 'R,TH HIGHLI.NDERS OF 73
. . . - page 3 22 Dec 43
,/ I " ' '
.... ____ ... ......,._. _____________________________ _....... ____________ .., __ ..,. _________________ .,.._
5. STRENGTH
1
D)
To) Qont
1
.- . . :. -
H7039 Pbd. Griffin,
Hl01390 Pte . Hogg ;
l'Il2409 Pte. Hoyle,
:I10Z545 Pto. Ladouceur,
.
Hl0.3852 Pte. .awick,
Di
G..;
toT .
. : . 0 .
T '
v 0
P ;,D .D
(f) s. 0 .s to Xj
i :
Llst Seaforth df c \7.0. f. date
( s
113774 Pte. Broome,
F -'
K52270 Cpl. Cro:ihb, J.
1100678 Pte. Eliesc , l

Cp1. Hutchinson, K.G.
.K 52 . Ptoe F_ergl.c. , l. D 1 e
K52575
CQ:B. H:ughcs, ToR.
KL'r5462 Pte. TI D: il ton , K.I
K53235 Cpl. Hutchinson, K.G.
1 6<"r202 Pte. Lauric, J .[
K52996
T /f' rt
=:unr o,
G .D.
.J 0 G
K5291J. Pte. : unday ,
T
K67737 Pte. Smith, G .
Dl6691rl Pte. Speak, E.R.
K71r872
'
Pte. ThoBson
7

K52690 Pte. iJj.nc onzl , 1 .E'.
K.53271 Pte. .:hi t o , G.
(g) s .o .s . to X3
List n .c.
.c .f. 16,Dec
K52882 Pte.
..,. 1
t 1n oy, J.C.
8 Doc 1,_3
8 Doc L'r3
.6 Doc I;J
6 Doc 43
6 Dod 43
6 Doc 43
7 Doc
s hm7n on ad:rt
15 Doc
1,3
15 Doc 43
19 Nov
"3
18. Oct '3

15 Dec lr3
15 Dec <',.3
1.5 Dec
1
r 3
15 Dec
'3
15 Dec
!;.3
16 Doc 1;.3
16 Dec
15 Dec.
t,3
15 D8c
" 3 .
15 D8c
9 Doc
1
r3
15 Doc "3
l.(
"Co
43 on adr:1 to
" hosp
Cook
"C'' .:
. ,,
hosp
(sick) .
6 . r: oUNDED
"l a ) Tho
138
u/o O. R. s. ,Tore \7 oundod , c . f . date shoYrn. l:.uth Ser.
d/20 Dt3C
Lr
'
. '
Etc . t;r ong , . .. R: . 11 Doc 43
!!!103905 Pte . Bakal a , N. 10 Dec 43
B25598 Pte. Bellinger , E. P. 10 Ded Li-3
Pt e . Br mvn , . B. 11 Dec 43
K67.217 Pte . Clark, R 10 Doc 43
.'I366?tr Pte . Earl , C .E ., lO "Doc 43
te . Frolander , H. 12 Doc LJ

K53596
to Glasgow, F ; :; 12 Dec t;J
K53589 L/Cp1. Haner , J . 11 Dec
K88028 Pt e . Holden,, D.C. 10 Doc !;.3
K'.2326 Pte . HolliQg5,.7orth, J . i 11 Dec
1
r3
K53fr09 Pt e . Kn i n , J . J .
'
1i
Dec
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K70970 Pto. Goodell , F.
K52688 Cpl. , Graha:.: , H.-l
H7039 Ptt, Griffin , D .
HlO_l390 Pto Hogg ,
El2'409 Pto ii Hoyle , 1 .T.
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K629 56 Pte. Hise1cy , J.
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7. l.PPOINTI.lENTS . < "
(a) To bo '1/Cpl. u.e.f. 15 Nov 43
Pto. (l./L/Cpl). Haner, J.
6 Doc 43
8 Doc 43
8 Dec 43
8 Deq !;.J
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8 Dec .43
8 Dec 1;.3
8 Dec 1;.3
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6 Doc 43
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7 Doc 43
8 Dec Ll, 3
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8" .REVERSIONS
(G) Reverted to Cpl rr.,o.f. 18 Oct 43 on
K53235 Cl'll.' (A/Sgt). Hutchinson, K.G.

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Canadian Section, G.I-I.Q., 2nd Epholon,
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B!RANELLO TC S.AN LEANARDO
Our journey from BARANELLO to the SANGRO, for
continual halts, and in the last few for slow '-
tortuously slow progress slitheyr narrow road& made
over from the wreckage the German demolition squad& had left
behin.d them, was one of the least satisfactory we had ever
carried out. It was after midnight when we deposited
our greatcoats in Coy 6 Tonner&, and in ft le, behind Lieut.
Melhuililh, our Bde L. 0. , made our way down the road to the r1 ver
bed and across the foot cros&ing.
The vehicle&. made arc. und by a more cirou1tou& route to the
vehicle crossing down the river, reported later as hazardou&
in the extreme because of its narrow app roache il and soft
embankments. We los.t no vehicles though there were many
mostly British, ditched there
.
In the dark, we passed tbe Axgylle and Sutherland Highlandera
who were coming out. They were of the ilame Brigade as the
Royal W8st Kent& who were also on their way out and were to
take over from Ulil at BARANELLO. The Highlanders were, in
contra&t to the R. 'fl. Kentlil who had pa&&ed u& on the road,
cheery and ready to pa&s comment on the field they were
quitting. She's all yours Seaforth& and your welcome to it !
Give em old hell, Seaforths, and other &avoury comments
which one might expect from the of the Glasgow Kiltie&
letting loose in relief at turning their backs to a hard
battleground where they had been repeatedly called to pull
chestnut&, as well as do their own jobs which had been laid
down. These Units of the 78th have suffered badly in the
year of fighting in North Africa and here.
The_ Royal West Kentil . have uied up 4 time their &trength m d
this is likeV'4. &e of the other Wlits and were, from thelook
and mein& of their offl. cers who came to BARANELLO to take
over, worn to a frazzle. Yet, that is the_ normal state in
this war of :t1 ghting. folk.
We wound our way across the bed of the S.ANGRO up on to the
embankmentvooich once carried the road over the now, completley
blown, many arched bridge of liltone, pailt reclining form of
PP. c. L. I. who&e guide& not yet come up, and on up the road
to where our guides, 2 i/o
1
& of Coys ander the command of
Major Thomson our 2i/ c of the Batt ali on awa1 tedo In no time
the marching troop& were dispersed in their areail; later on
the vehicle& came up and were tucked away, this just before
dawn, soclong had it taken to make the ngo
Information by the I.O., gained on his visit to Ede H.Q. was
that likely we would remain in our place overnight. German
dive-bomberil cane in the morning, but their miii&leil landed
far from us, nevertheles&, slit& were dug. A hot meal was had
and olean up and shave proueeded with. Then ail a bolt, came
the warning order to move, and I went to Bde a((. for
orders.
(2)
The situation ahead was th&t the Irish Brigade of the
78th wail working its way to SAN VITO and required itlil
Third Battalion, The Inniskillinglil, in order to exploit
forward. This Unit was sited in a defensive position
near ROCCO, caring for the left flank of the Brigade and the
gap between the 78th and Indian D1 vi&ionlil' front iii. To Ulil
fell tke talilk of relief.
I went forward wL th the Brigadier to ROCCO, met the c. 0.
of the Inn1skillinga and reviewed the area with 2 of
my Company Commander&, whoie companiei had been brought up
expeditiously on wheels of our own .
We had moved in on the lriih by 2.30 P.M. and then
followed our anti-tank guni, 4 of them and the 3" Mortari.
We enlarged the slits and took an earnest view of our
taik, settling in without and hubbub. That night, a few
ih ell & came over into our area- w1 thout ca&ual tie&. We
were &till off the air within the Div in hopei!, I iUppolile,
that the not know, till it pleaied a&, that
the Canadians were about to face him. Next morning,
German Di ve-Bpmberi came again and lilome bpmbil came down
not far from cur area. A pretty constant umbrella wail
maintained by our f1 ghterlil who iilcoured the &ky all day.
fe saw Baltimore&, 48 of them, flying in two &orties,
each go against the enemy poil tionlil and drop their loada.
Saw 2 German fighters in to bomb, the Ind1anlii
shot them down, and the German .A.ok Aok. shot down one of
our fighters.
That afternoon, the whole Brigade made off toward& SAN VITO
and encamped till after dark in an orchard area on the high
ground west of the town, athwart the railway line. No
Shelling that night, and we moved our troopi through
SJ.N VITO, acroi& the diversion end up onto the next
when we took up pOiilitions on the Ea&t Weliit
Road on e:1. ther side of the town of APOLLIN.A.RIS. The
disposition of compm iea was from: Ea&t to West, B Coy
East of the town of APOLLINARIS, some element& actually
occupying outlying house&. C and A oompanie& Welilt of the
place, D qompany and BHQ to the. south of the road in low
ground behind the cemetary for counter ataok and anti-
infiltration force. All oompanie& were &trengthened by
J/Tk guns and 2 :Batt alien of Tank& liltretohed along the
iload and food East of us, gave US! lilecuri ty against German
ambush, whose mean& o approach in any event
hard, for tre River MORRO with its blown bridge&, a& time
would prove, was an adequate obstruction.
All night, we were &helled about B Company and BHQ areas
at interval&. The Apollinari Rd Junction, the
oemetary, the draw where we were, but fortunatley, there
were no oasualtie B. H. Q. pro per, o und an Italian
hoalile well protected by a bank behind. the cemetary,
and the R .A..F. ail good a place olo&e by. Slit& were
and precautions ollowed on.the sheWing of amoke and lights
for, except for.the &helter of the olive grove& in which
we were in part harboured, we were in View of the .8
. - erman,

( J)
from the other side of the bank of the MORRO River.
The next morning I visited tre companies areas. Found they
could all contrive a meal. The carrie& of the Company
Commwderi which carried greatcoats, rations and some ammo,
weee taken to be vehicles ( My carrier served
the purpose of B.H.Q.) and were brought up.in such a case.
From these, the men cou+.d contrive to set some warmth
and their meals. Up until after SAN LEANARDO, we loliilt
no vehicles, though the 3dmn Regt lost 3 and the PPCLI
at least 2. Soft skinned ones, which they ventured to
bring forward onto this hazardous, narrow, -shell :ll;earched
ground. There do come times when Mortar and J(Tk vehicles
must be r1 111ked but vh en cannot a company 3 Tonner be left
where it_ is safe, in "A" Echelon or Rear "F" Echelon?
I that too much emphasis is shown on 'getting vehicles'
up, for what purpose now shewn?
Major Williams, C.0.4s rep 3 Fld Regt and Capt Carter
F. 0. 0 2 Fld Regt, carrled out registrations o.n numerous
targets to the point acroliils the MORRO W/T silence
now been broken all morning Capt . Buchanan advised us
of B" Coys position, m d requested leave to make a redi it-
ribution of the Coy, in the doing so, Germans spotted the
movement, arty came down and wounded Lieu.ts. Perrett and
Leckie both. in the arm, both slightly. The objective of
the enemy seemad to be to discourage movements of our
troops, observation by us, and use of the road. In this
he d1 d not succeed, but since artillary fire from medium
guns is always disconcerting, he did embarrass free movement.
The topography of the . cou.ntry from Termoli, North for
many mile is mountainous, its mountains_ towering up for
many miles inland and sea on the right, the intervening
being indented by deep draws carrying streams
ealilt to the &ea, the plateaux between the streams are flat
and in some calilelii, &ome thousands of metrG s in length
from East to West, making fair tank runs. The tactici of
the Germans has been to destroy beyond reclamation, all
bri dgea acros& &treamlil, iOIJ.etimelii to mine approachei on
their side to dispose their artillary to cover the croilsing
and preclude our work on d1 versionlil. Their infantry
on the forward slopes, and in places of vantage, e.g.
farmlii on the plateaux overlooking the stream bed.
The SANGRO had been treated with more than casual care.
The Germanil had prepared his winter quarteril on the north
side. We oame acrosil dugou.til and qu.arters completley
comfortable and settled by German Troopil who, however,
when the SANGRO- had been breached, left everything, including
blanketil, weapon&, and tons of high
The defences ov&rlooking the MORRO were not iiO complete,
but the illope& and high ground overlvoking and around
SAN LEANARDO and EL FOso held good slits, and another
advantage was that the ground which we had for marshalling
the Brigade, and our supporting tankil, being the plateau
between the MORRO and SAN VITO
( 4)
narrow, carrying one to West road along its cre&t,
under German observation. Our objective was to get over the
MORRO quickly; establish a bridgehead, get armour over and
expluit First Brigade was to do the same in the
Coast road, and tre Indian D1 vi &ion was to push forward on
our left, all to the Olli:'ON.A. - ORSOGN.A. road and then beyond
to ROCCO and up the coast road.
Myself and the company commanders were able to study the
approaches the MORRO and to the two towns perched on
the other side of the gulley from APOLLIN.A.tUS , despite
German shelling which sought to prevent observation, but
patrolling on closer inspection was not possibleg Orders
came. from Brigade that afternoon that 2 crossings would be
made that night, one on the axis of the blown bridge before
SAN LEANARDO by the Seaforth&, and the other on the. axi& of
a bridge bihi.hwn some 4 to 5 miles up the r1. ver by the PPCLI.
The crossing was to be a one i.e. by stealth, armour
to follow at first light after a diyersion
by the R.C.E'&. No definite information as to German strength
or dispositions, no time allowed for patrolling, no supporting
fire. It looked like a ruah job, and always rush jobs have
spelt to us unfavourable settings and advantage with the
Germans. .Zero hour was at midnight, the ::ieaforths had to
commit one company to the main road axis to ensure safety
for the R.C.E. 's mine sweepers, and the route of the other
companies were left to me.
Plan: 2 phases: 1 Capture SAN UAN.ARDO, 2 oapuure EL FOSO,
these two places to form the bulwark of the bridgehead.
Phase 1. Company crossing river near APOLLINARIS to
furnish left flank protection to main effort by taking up
position on high graound between the 2 towns, and preventing
interception by any enemy force from BL FOSO. c Company
to cross near blown bridge and approach up axis. B and C
to cross at zero. .A, Company to cross down stream at 12.30
g1 ven blown bridge, m.d carry out a right flanking move up
what appeared to be a fairly covered approach into SAN
LEANARDO. n Company and !HQ to follow up after either A
or C companies whichever won success, and exploit this.
Phase 2: Action against ..i!:L FOSO, by vvh1chever company
was the least involved, likely D and B routes to riverside
in first phase recced by our Officer Rep from each company.
Rations, lmmo, and spare 18 set batteries, to be carried
forward by mule under company arrangements, following
daylight crossing by tanks. The went well, all
companies gaining the other side without being noticed.
"B" gained its objective w1 thout being fired on till dawn,
and in. "C" Company won some hundred yards up the road
to SAN L.;i;ANARDO, when they were laced by an.i inten&e MMG
fire from high ground to the we&t on fixed lines covering
their approach, they were unable to go further until some
neutralisation could be brought from arms other than their
own. A" company made equally good progress at fir&t, ad
w1 th suddene&s, came under the ilame type of fire from high
ground, and the forward to the and N.B. probably
15 to 20 MMGs served to stop them.
( 5)
Ma,jor Vance, blinded by an explosive bullet, b1s C.S.M.
killed, a1. d Lieut; Baldwin in the &ame plight alii him&elf,
kept control, tried to work small partie& forward,, failed,
and withdrew back e.ver the r1 ver, a1. d then recrolil&ed,
following "0"
route. The net result, wail the

formation of a very narrow bridgeheat which d. d not serve
to control the ground dominating the bridge crosiing.
The situation, w1th the exception of "B" ooy, was obscure,
from time of cros&ing till about 0400 hrs. D ooy and BHQ
were retained on this side pending clarification. I went
forward w1 th the I. 0. dJo ground overlooking the bridge
crosliling, also with the icout Officer. The German& were
shelling the .mule track approach used by A and C Coys, m d
the diver&ion and road with heavy shells, &o that the RCE
1
&
could not carry out their work of putting up a diver&ion.
We could see the outline of German lVi.M. G. fire directed at
A and C companies from the crazy tracer the German& u&e at
night. A company went off the air from the 18 set breakdown
from time of crossing and its location and progrelilii could
not be learned till it joined up with C Company much later
on.
The relative position of our force& being suoh as they were,
no a&si&tance coUld be brought to them till light from arty
and 4.2. mortarlil, and conlilequently, no alternative remained
but to dig in and await the tank&. 11 companielil dug in.
D company and BHQ were not committed, it being my de&cililion
alii the iii tuation cleared, to keep them L:. hand, and shoot
them forward when tank force had won adross.
The tanks tried repeatedly to get over, but failed, they
tried in four place&, tried repeatedly almost all day, end
finally, after several of their tanks had bogged down, gave
it up. The balance of their battalion took up po&itions of
t.he escarpment on thi&nside, and lambaiited German :MMG po&ts
in the town of SAN LBANA.'IDO and on the high ground. on which
A company had been given so much trouble. Still, they were
operating from a long range and the view was not very clear,
and so g goo d. deal of fire was "on sped". I made a further
plan with 1400 hr& a& zero hr, hoping to give momentum to
this bogged.... down effort, and tCil. hang w1 th the German hazard
( which was wrong a& was proven).
"D" Company was to move across the river, using a natural
draw from the essential e&carpment from our side a& a mean&
of approach, followed by B.H.Q. up to SAN to be
followed by C Company which wail to &hake it&elf loose from
i** lillit& ( it had sufferred no ca&ualtie&), and follow D
Coy and stand as Counter attack company. B Coy was to
exploit into into EL FOSO, and A coy to stand responsible for
any, all except from the at lines of
communication up the main axis. The supporting fire was
to be furnished by observed fire from the taaks from the hull
down on our escarpment, and arty concentrations on EL FOSO
zreo-10 to zero on SAN LEANARDO, zero to zero 10 on high
ground and ground slopes east of SAN zero to zero
10. 2 regiments of arr to be employed.
(6)
4.2 Mortar& to carry on on EL FOSO firing zero to
zero 20 w1 th H .i;. and _smoke-. Area& of arty to teach
from the forward edge& of the town, to 300+ to 400+
the purpose being to knock out known enemy Mortar po&t&.
The weakness of the plan of course, was that no pro&pect&
exi&ted of getting the tank& across the &tream that day
or night, nor as a matter of fact, the next day if the
Germans controlled the bridge crossing with hheir arty
fire in the same volume a& the previou& night., and an
exoellant tank run existed into both towns for the jermans
and orchards where their outskirts Where, they and their
Anti tank gu.n& could set up and blow down the building&
in which we should of course, have to put some of our
troop&.
Actually, the prospect that faced us wa& exactly that
which it had_been rpronounced by Brigade that we would
not be committed to. The pro&pect left me and
u.ncheerful. Then an intervention came from an outside
source. .Four German tanks app.,ared in S.AN U:ANARDO at
1400 hrs, just as D company ta& heading down the draw
to cross the &tream. The 0.0. tanks now told me on the
air that th1& had now become hi& prime :target, and he
could not &upport u& in alii far except alii tre fire against
them would be of assiatanoe, re&ult, washout tank fire
&uppcrt. I acted immediately til postpone the whole &how,
arty, 4.2 and infantry, &ending D Coy and :B.H.Q. baok to
their harbour several hundred yard& back of the
e&carpment edge, in rever&e ground, putting them on 30
minute notice.
Fortunately the Btigadier phoned me ju&t then, and I
reported. He ordered me to his Command Po&t, hili tank
500 yard& along the e&carpment Where I went and awaited
outcome of his pow-'W'OW with the Corp& Commander; result,
No reinforcement of our effort to be made to 'croa& the
H ver, tank aupport was out, cr9a&ing here, probably
to be abandoned a& not feasible, and the one up the river
to be exploited lent to the o Group at :Brigade after
dark, and got ordera to withdraw coy& back and_to move
Eattalion up river ( along po&itiona indicated
back from e&carpment, but covering in depth, approache&
to upper bridge head. The Edmn Regt to exploit and
improve the other side of bridgehead complementary to that
made by the P.P.C.L.I.
Retu.rned to B. H. Q. in ha&te, got I 1/ c and rep a away to
new area for a recoe. Got A and C Companie& started back
over river ( Capt Thoma& replacing Major Vance) O.C. "A"
Coy, but out of touvh with B Coy, the la&t word being
that it wa& being counter attacked by a superior number
of Germans. Straggler& came in With dubiou& reports a&
to :B Coy's pos1 tion, their &ignaller came in vL th his 18
&et out of commi &sion, lo&t for :/4 of an hour, but at
last came a runner &traight from Capt. for
permission to withdraw; this being th more
v.1 gour than oollld ever be imagined.
(7)
Away went the runner. Plans were made to feed "B" Coy
men and to have greatcoats etc; loads to be carried on
Coy Cmdr's carriers to proceed to new areas and to be
available for A. and C companielil on ar:r1 val there.
All coy arrangements worked very well, new dispolilitions
were taken up except by n:en coy who were allowed to
remain in hheir old billets in AJ?OLLINARIS and reorganize
feed. and rest. Capt. Buchanan reported to me w1hh McBride,
his subaltern, both exhausted. The exploit of this
Company under the most wizardly hand of this new Coy Cmdr,
was outstanding. Located by the Germans at first light
that morning, they had b.een m!17CI'tared steadily and heavily
machine gummed. They worked their way towards EL FOSO
during the day and overran the German posts one after
another. 16 in all fell to the Company by nightfall,
sending in prisoners a total of 50 to 60 and killing
a number equal to their own as they claimed. They made
a busman 's holiday of it, the example of Capt. Buchanan
lending inspiration exen to the lowest rank in all efforts.
In short, "B" Coy out thought, out schemed, and then
outfought the Germans. With nightfall, a large party of
Germans, 20m to 300 came into EL FOSO and made to envelop
the company. Buchanan gave way, keeping his platoons
intact, playing now this, now that off against the Hun,
and the whole, with the exception of less than half a
dozen, coming through the trap. Capt. Carter of 2nd Fld
Regt R.C.A. who went forward as F.o.o., was painfully
wounded, and couldn't walk. He and 7 German prisoners
at Coy H.Q. were brought back intact. It wasn't until the
next morning, that Capt. Buchanan, after a night's sleep,
marshalled these facta, and recited them. Casualties
totalled 2 Killed, others thought to be killed, 2 missing,
to include thelost, 6. All and bombs, and all b,t
2 Brens ( 1 in the hands of one of those thought to be
killed) were brought back. A very creditable performance.
We remained in our new areas the next day, were mortared
and shelled, but lightly, and lost only one man who
mysteriously disappeared from D Coy 18 set. Late that
night, after dark,we were relieved by 13 Punjab& of the
Indian Div and our own respective Coys made up, off the
road mo new Coy areas recced by Capt. Murdock and his
"I" Sec reps. Our new position was very nearly our
former one.
new Brigade plan dictated by Di v was to re-.exploi t
the first "main" .SAN LEANARDO bridgeheado That night,
under the 2 i/ c, Coy 3 Tonnerlil were brought up and amall
packs and blankets d1 &tribu.ted, allowing a was.h and shave
the next day. There was very heavy shelling along be
road and in particular in the area of B.H.Q. and C Coy
by German mediums.r1.and mortars. I gu.eslil they have
been after the tanks and vehicles milling around in great
numbers in the area and going up and down. the road. Our
vehicles came and went withcut casualty, except for C Coy
3 tenner whose tires were holed, it was dragged off by
L.A.D. the next day, and by noon, returned to "A" Ech
repaired.
(8)
At least 2 vehicles went up, one an armoured veh
close to our farm hou&e, under an awful noise and
its flaming carcass brought German fire.
One man in C Coy was killed, and although one of the
BHQ hit, by a mortar bomb, no casualties there,
this, as was now becoming almost usual, was hhe most
heavily shelled area in the Battalion. Next day, he scene
was set for the .combined 2nd Bde and Tank Bde show;
the tanks asiist1ng up till now, had been British.
This involved help from the 1st Bde. I attended
a conference w1 th 2nd Bde com:.:.and:er and tank Bde Cmdr.
Br1 gade plan. The 48 Highlanders to take EL FOSO, R. C. R. S
SAN LEANARDO on 9/iO Dec and so form a bridgehead. The
to put in a diversion to take 6 tanks and 2 anti tanks
guns at (?lown bridge site during the night of 9/10 Dec,
and ROEs to sweep up the road to SAN ahead of
the tanks. First tanks across ( From 13 Calgary Tanks) to
be a full squadron carrying on top of them, our n coy,
to pass through SAN L_;:;ANARDO, out along the track running
South-West from the place and lii'tand on ground about 500 ydli
clear of town ready to "left hook to ORTONA - ORSOGN.A.
road when the main effort was mounted.
!:..... Didn't lj.ke infantry on tanks, never did, fought it
at Senior Officer's Schoml as an outmoded idea,
saver, here with certainty of mGJrtar fire and arty fire
on long road approach to d1 version, and at diversion across
Which the tanks would have to crawl, the prospect
unfavourable; what I woould have like done, . was to have
n coy down our defile, the r1 ver and to a
proteoti ve marr1 age ground short of the village, the tanks
road and defile.
Follovt. ng this, the balance of the Seaforth& to find way
aero ss to marri age ground on forward slope of other
escarpment, and awa1 t 2nd Sqdn of tanks, marry up and then
pro oee d through S.LlN up the main axis to area
about 60C: to 700 yds on the other side, there to form a
firm balie for pasiiage thro' to ORTONA -ORSOGNA. road to
The Loyal Edmn Regt and 1 Sqdn tanks and exploitation later
by PPCLI w1 th further tank force to ORTON A. Anti tank guns
to be brought 11p in due cour&e i .o strengthen our f1 rm
base po&i t.1ons againat German .A.rmour attack which walil
expected.
to my Company Commander& seperately,,and then our
joint attendance at the tank commanders conference reached
well into the night.Major Walkems my c.o. s Rep and I each
had a tank alloted to and had our 18 seta and operators
installed that night. It was late when all ends were tied
in, we telephoned in to Bde H.Q., expected an early call,
but it didn't come. Moderate ehelling that night, some
sleep all aro11nd, D coy moved into tank harbour and
actually teamed up wl. th tank& wbo were to carry them
forward. l'hey left my command that night. The battalion
went on half an hcurs notice from hrs. Next, I then
took up myupo iii tion in my tank and 11 stened to the progress
of the scrap.
(9) .
The bridgeheaa was reportedaecured which meant the
48th were in FOSSO, and the R.C.R.S in SAN LEANARDO
(mark the last!) and the diversion completed and ,
tanki aorosa. About 6 got over and up to the town with
all D Coy. It was foa.nd at this juncture, that the
town was in German hand& alii well as the high ground
to he east, and pocket& in between it and FOSSO
not cleared out. D company and the tank& atarted clearing
it out with a will!! and brought in a great lot of
prisonera, - killed more and lost a wounded though
only two killed, aeferal wounded while arty& tank& en route
were held up by arty and mortar fire. When the job was
oomplet ed, only 39 !DR& remained effective. There wa&
delay in sweeping the road up to the town, the RCE aweeping
not to be found, I offered our own Fioneer party of
2 men Wh'o were with us at the moment deteotora, ald
they were taken up to the diversion on tank just as
Uhe turned up, the job took over an hour, in the
meantime, one tank had been, mined out of the lot who had
ventured up, and those up in town were involved in a tank
Vii tflk battle w1 th 12 German tanka Ivik lVIiil. Mean:tme,
the balance of the Battalion cr.o a lied the r1 ver under
heavy fire following, B coy own route from Apollinari&
and C. A. And BHQ down our defile, no cara11al t:tea, and
marrigge gro.und reached and becau&e there wa& a delay
digging in embarked on, the delay caused by the tank
battle now taking place; presently o11r tanks outnumbered
the Germans and he w1 thdrew from the near environa of
the town, but sailed over his rounds of A.J?. every once
awhile, until after dark and also medium H.E. all night,
searching the approaches of the town it self.
By dark, in addition to 13 tank& most of 12 (Ontarios)
were up, and the only infantry, Seaforth of C and one
company of R. c. R. s who had mome up the road in file juat
as I gpt there in my tank and long after dark the place
had been reduced, the R.C.R. Coy Omdr knew no answer&
but placed his company we most needad them, on the
right flank. The Brigadier was pressing me to go thro'
to our f1 rm po si tionfi, I pr.epared to do liiO in expectation
of early arrival of the Loyal Edmn Regt to give local
protection to tanks in harbour, then in -consultation with
o.c. tanks, renigged and placed the in all
round defence positions. "A" Company had taken n Coy'a
position and was off with iii tankfil on left flank ready
to push forward the next morning. :B, c, and hhe R.. C. R. Coy
were allotted areas vl th some tanks each for Jv'Tk guns
had not yet come up. D Coy was in good olo &e in -as
counter attack Coy. -After a long time, probably 3 hour&,
it had been dark. for over that time, the f1rlilt Coy110f
Edmn Regt arr1v:ed, and were d1 sposed by me in the absence
of their C.O. When he and the balance of hiil. Bn came
up, we formed a double defense ring, my E and D coy& to
move back to rmarried ground at first light. Nothing but
shelling all night. Written order& from Brigade that I was
not to move till the impending tank battle had been
fought. This never came off, so I moved up.

(10)
I moved 3 tank& after having a view of the
from an O.P. in an Hotel in the town.
M6antime, "A" Coy and its tankii moved off
1
zero
at 09u0 left flankwards. All other Coys
reached their grcund and prepared defensive slits.
The approach warw heavr; .Artillary and mortar fire
at and places. There was no enemy small arms
fire though
Thii was the situation at 1430 12 Dec when
B.H.Q. forward was established.
Signed: Lt;-col. J.D. Forin
0. C. The Seaforth HighlandeN of Canada

a

H l
-. . .. ,... 0
OJ. v ompany.
On ?.0 Deo C (S1 v "' t!":.e ot sruilpOri.S.Aa
the .scJJnonton rto{!ilften t 1 a\t aolt along mpoJ.n road luto Oltl'OIA,
'' 1n a d1 v.;-re:.onary aluJJ.t; ooaat. Th(i ooapUJ'
t.l;e et s.nd thulr I'Quto le4 _thea
orcat
1
.,_own verJ s,.cpe tc t .. :c !!rick P::.ctory
1
aoroea the ma1n mi..o.'la t'J.t,ld U.c PP.ctc.l1' u.C. tt:e aaill
and ap the aloCJat preo1p1 8lv_pv \o the 011'8k1J"t of the to
where they were to 11nk up Wi. th Re;1.11111t.
Old.na to 1:he ::dmo:ttcne aaliJ.At{ wtt-1' P"&rwea thaa waa antlo1pate ..
0 extmPAD1 wae ordttru4 10 oro11e t.be1 r J.lD.ti nU.nat ea
8h&cl tlme, liWd i ... hd ba:ra;zt; alie '\he.: aoNaa be
a1IlO t1old
m1At1 :t1'3ld was fortW2.atlJ oroatC wlt.boat JUehap
an4 tbe OOI'lp&D.y'a t.ir11t o'Jeotive, a line oi' foe maohltl., pu1
uat a, obta1.nad, b1 of their t:l-Jpftaola oyeJ'
th" uillll ellt!. Tb.ul r po a1 W&5 qU1 ckl;t
The UJI't N<:t,. ( .. bout +:.....' &lla4
'fineyarda. 15 platoon, U."ld;:;;.e .... u__. .. on a
le1't. tlanJ:1ng to .:.. o:t c.\oad.aatlaa
t.he Oo3 a poe1 t,!o.n,. -.,rhc;l;"B .hey W:7r-:: !'ret:. on &D4 a1
t1m, to t:.utuav'H::..r
1
-C' ,-i
the i:cSrtcntona.
"'l' o bri ak ,p1 '.( <1o ''"-i .,, ... "J "'' -d 1
4
.Pl'-"o'n
..... !AI .1. . .,... .. >J' ............. .., ""ilw , ..., 'J .. 'j- '""
QDd:.:or OOIU:11&i.::. ot I.i d"J..1.. H&:J t.l'dert>Ci to makt1 t\
d.gll'\ fl'lnk1ng OAl ti.,.; all.U'oh. 'Ihb e.c.om: bJ tb1 t1ae,
ha4 reooVttr' ;e from h!. a t1:r it wtut the
wmle area t'lO.t'tar, I:Ui tU'WlS n ret D4 at '\he
._. t.J.ae, po-.t ttor by c:mi 1'-i :!rem t.b& abaroh
W"l' 14 pl&.to ... n aoon r!W u,p ae,.a1na1i "''tOns til &Ill posltloa
M4 autfered 2r. Cx.l @4 4 IJ:1'"'
betAs wcnuld'ld, and Sst Me and 2 Prt vate betng k1lle4.
The enc::r .1n::-.ad1 o1 l:JS1 Zif11 t!J.tt advant.._6"t OOI&Ilter
ataoked ld.llOUl tanoOUt.ilJ on Hl naki. ll
ib61 att aek on t r.t.t1 r ctor, \l!..: t re.._1l14er 14
lacld.ng

b.;::er.o. back 1n d1eor4el'.
!he Compmy 1.1 <:'t'.t lf1. th
15 platoon. to r '11 th 1 r .. r-t".at1 o.na aot b0lcll7
a4 repa11' the 111tnat1o:.'l. i'?her,apon, be led. two seotlcra of
bla pbtoon into a clla::o:e, t.Dockt'14 oa'l '\wo aolaln au
pollt a and the to baok. .Uu.r1q thl 1 OJIE!Ntioa,
i1Qb1non, Cpl llohert1 one tsttt lvat :.h$l.l' .l1va
2 .I'll Y&t tta wure wcunt\ecl.
ln 'the WltH . .ntimi!, :;igt. i::laatC'..hYk ltAtft, '-' oft
.notber O\. unter t'.ttack. 4\t tr..:t s 3anctu 1 t waa lam4 tl:la'
\he uore !lC fl.l.rt.he:o ll.Q6 - let
i.la'Ou.sh the Ooy'a i'i.rut t!'. :.;or OOauc4ttl', o"
t.b.ili t-o U.li.,. !Mal Ql'dr.treJ. to ru.ll bngk h1a f.I'OII
,-
th& Church all4 1 t s n rat. obJe"t1.,.. In th1a pod. tiel
the COIQU1 tllzougb.ou:t the houra ot ue!aupq
f1N wi\h tb.11 /
(2)
At t1rat l1ght a patrol that ha4
111 th41'awn. The oompUJ 1mmeUatelJaoye4 1ato the area
ot 'the OhurGh.
22 J)eo 43
NOTES ON
Barley Capt.
0. O. o OOJ
!he OompanJ onl7 a1otte4 t1rat a1d mu the
attack, llut the Oo7 0114r waa 1nforaed that peraoDnel
from the R.A.P. would lie to1low1ns fti'J eloalJlD Har.
Ow1n1 to thred llowo1.1t1 on roa4 pa8t the Br1ok laotory
aa4 oyer the r:l -yer
1
azul the dena1 t7 ot the m1ne.Uel4
1
.
theae R. A. P. peraoun.:tl WESre unable to ooae q w1 th the
Company.
The wo.lll14e4 were matecl 1n rear ot Ooy R. Q., bu.t when at
laat l1ght
1
one ot o&U own med1a lhella lmd.e4 111. thin
50 teet of thi 1 poa1 t1on, 1ntl1ot1ns turther WOWl4a gn the
patting oit ot aot1on the
onl.J firat aid aan
1
. the OoJ Clltl- o:rdere4 the woan4&4 to be
MYe4 oyer t.b:t . ol1tf on to a led1e. ..
At 2300 hre, 1t waa at laat to obtain atretohel'a
from the Edaontcna and aoye the wouncllid aoat labouroaalJ
the l/ 2 aile to the latter ad.Y&noed R. A. P.
tbt t:.aw were woun4e4 tlnt1l the laat IW1 waa
ha 4e4 oyer to the .&Sdllontona at 0200 hra, the onl7 ooyennsa
the7 had wara ! oapea, ancl 1 t waa a heut'breald.ns taak
en4eaYO urlq to keep a.p the1:r fiacg1nc p1Qta.
.s. HarlJ Capt.
o. o. o oo,.
22 J)eo 43;.
fE,S A HEAVY SLEEPER TOO
1\1URPHY WOKE UP FACING A GUN
Vancou;ver Soldier Gets Captured By Germans He Rescued
Rudest Pte. V . . A. 1 didn't hear the enemy come in. I of Maritime
Murphy, of Vancouver, has ever "I woke up with a gun in my
oldiers tool< ''Point
59," a Getman
strong h o 1 d
north of Or
ton!!, Maj. Er
nest Deighton
"Dick" Danby,
son of . Mrs.
Amy Danby,
1 6 0 6 Nelson,
and former
aide de camp
to Maj.-Gen. G.
R. Pearkes, the
battalion's sec
ond - In - eom
received was in the early hours Ia:ce and a , German ,
of Boxing Day when a German over my bed, he. said. I ?ues, !
paratrooper shoved an automatic he was getting kmd of sore be
Into his face and told him to "get cause I wasn't to wake up."
up," Douglas Amaron, Canadian 11\IMORTAL SERGEANT,
co respondent in Italy, relates. As soon as he realized what
Mur phy was one of 15 Cana was happening, Murphy was on
dl ans taken prisoner i n Ortona his feet- and so "excited" he far-
and then released when a gGt to stop and pick up his steel
cleared tlle house w.he1e they helmet.
b'ad been held f or seven He C.S.M. John Elaschuk, of Tu-
was in bed when the J rin, Alta., formerly a miner at
surpvlsed !lis section and .ho Princeton, who was taken pris
, oner the same day and released
at the same time, is called "the
Immortal Sergeant" by the men
of his unit because he seems to
bear a charmed life. He has been
in every engagement since the
battalion came to the Mediterra-
Ilean and hasn't yet had to go
down the line for illness, injury
or wounds.
.
The morning before a company
MA>J. DIQK DA.Nnl'. m an d s e n l
them up chocolate ba1s: clglll'
ettes and fre&n in whloh to
wash.
This helped to take the men's
minds of! the coming fight, and
the result was "textbook per-
fect." Danby' the as
sault in the absencr 'Jf the bat
talion colonel, , 10 wa.o; o_n an I
other job at the 'ime.

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M.F.M.

an4 Company to oro a a the r1 ver at the .Fo.rd i:,;at of

Jones of A Coy, reta.rnlq to B.H.Q. from his Coy, brollght in a

Echeoon, ITORTH AFRICA 3 Dec 43

=r.q. 2 C .I .B. .o .J::.

rates of :uay I''Iotor :::echanic

route. The net result, wail the

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