1st August – Catania Plain
Bttn still at 949645 as 168 Brigade is in reserve. It was feared that the Bttn would be moved away from the sea to a less malarious area.
1700 – Major General SC Kirkman OBE MC gave an informal address to all officers. He said that it was most unfortunate that the information received before the attack of July 17th had been incorrect and that due to it he had called off the artillery barrage.
He said that he was very pleased that the Bttn reached its objectives nonetheless and that it was a great pity that the right flank did not have the same success. He concluded by saying that he hoped that during the last 14 days in the line the Bttn had gained valuable battle experience.
3rd August
The Bttn made what was, as things happened, an unnecessary move to 9162. Before it had time to settle in, the CO received orders to move.
4th to 5th August
168 Brigade remained in reserve.
6th August
Brigade passed through 69 Brigade at first light, 1 LIR passing through 5 EY. 1 London Scottish were on the right. 10 Royal Berkshires were in reserve.
6th to 10th August
The Bttn continued the pursuit of the enemy beyond Catania until 1 LS passed through at 0910 on 10th August.
10th to 12th August
Bttn was in reserve in the Linera area but from 0530 hrs, it was at 30 minutes notice, which tended to lessen the value of the rest as it was not possible to unpack anything.
12th August
Bttn moved up but was still in reserve. As a result of several changes in plan, it was not until 130 hrs on 13th August that the Bttn eventually passed through the London Scottish and advanced on San Giovanni area.
Throughout this period, the Germans were withdrawing fast and left only small parties behind to delay and do as much damage as possible. The ground consisting mainly of hills covered with vineyards lent itself to defence and the delaying parties and mines achieved a certain success. The former doing some damage particularly at Gravina here their elusiveness made them doubly irritating. The weather remained hot and fine throughout.
14th August
Brigade was in reserve. Bttn remained at San Giovanni until the 15th August when it moved with the rest of the Brigade to Fiumefreddo area where it remained for the rest of the month. Here, it was able to rest and clean up as there was plenty of water and send, rather than the fine dust of the slopes of Etna, which pervaded everything.
20th August
“D” Coy was detached. Training policy is shown in Appendix C.
21st August
The Commanding Officer announced that the following awards had been made: Major WE Brooks awarded the MC and 7014244 Sgt J Madigan and 7014737 Rifleman T Brightman both awarded the MM.
30th August
The Army Commander addressed the Bttn.
A translation of a German account of the fighting on 17/18 July, which was found in a German paper is attached for interest.
Intelligence Summary.
3rd August
1510. Bttn received verbal orders to move to 9162 under its own arrangements.
1630 MT left.
1815 Bttn left in order: HQ, “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”.
1830 MT arrived.
1915 CO ordered to Brigade for ‘O’ Group.
2115 All Coys reported in new positions.
2200 Bttn ‘O’ Group called at Bttn HQ.
2330 Information received that the enemy is believed withdrawing towards Catania defences.
Bttn ordered to be ready to move to concentration area, north of River Simeto at 1 ½ hours notice. No move likely before dawn.
4th August
0700 Puffin (ie Bttn 30 minutes notice to move).
0900 Zero hour. Bttn moved off by march route with “A” Echelon transport following.
1030 Bttn held up at Simeto owing to 69 Brigade being delayed by enemy mines on airfield 9374.
1050 69 Brigade reported on Gander.
1150 Bttn arrived in concentration area at 9269. 151 Brigae reported 2000 yards past Gander.
1315 Teller mines are being booby trapped.
1715 69 Brigade held up by enemy on line from 914773 to road junction 942765. Tanks and artillery to attack with infantry to take Duck bound. 151 Brigade held up by enemy on line 943753 to 959753.
2005 Contact with 6 Green Howards gave information that enemy had been driven off ridge 910770 – 929756 into dip behind. Enemy not in great strength. 151 Brigade had reached Duck bound and were continuing to advance with tanks and artillery support. No contact between 69 and 151 Brigades.
2215 Enemy strongholds at 944772, 940767, 940762, 932771, 923778, 918771. Holding at 1930 hrs on 935743, 958775.
2235 Brilliant fire from behind foothills Misterbianco bearing 360 degrees.
5th August
0840 6 Green Howards commenced to pass through 7 Green Howards to reach Duck. 151 Brigade on outskirts of Catania on right of main road.
0905 9 DLI reported to be entering town of Catania. 168 Brigade expected to be moving shortly.
1100 CO attended ‘O’ Group.
1200 Bttn ‘O’ Group ordered.
1215 Bttn at ¼ hour notice to move.
1545 Bttn left present area and were ferried by Brigade’s MT to concentration area 933783. The Bttn marched from Catania to the concentration area owing to congestion of traffic. Bttn HQ arrived Catania 945785 at 1700 hrs.
1835 Bttn HQ established at 933783. All Coys in position in concentration area.
2000 ‘O’ Group ordered. 168 Brigade to pass through 69 Brigade in area San Gio di Galerno. Bttn to pass through 5 East Yorkshires to make good bound Mallard (Mascalucia 929870 – Aci Castella).
Bttn to commence moving at 0330 hrs. 1 London Scottish advancing on left.
10 Royal Berkshires in reserve. Ordr of March: Bttn – 4 platoon; with detachments 3 & 5 Platoons and Res, “C” Coy, Command Post. “D” Coy, Bttn HQ, 3 Platoon. MMG Platoon, 5 Platoon, Heavy Mortar Platoon, “B” Coy, “A” Coy, RAP and Platoon “A” Coy.
6th August
0330 Bttn moved off as above.
0445 Carrier Platoon contacted 5 East Yorkshires (Little Duck).
0710 “C” Coy dealing with enemy MG post on right of road at 934832.
0725 “C” Coy reported past Drake – 929842. Deploying on high ground and round houses. Carrier Platoon reported at junction point to meet 1 London Scottish but no representative there.
0800 Mortar Platoon engaging OP on “C” Coy’s right.
0810 “C2 Coy report enemy definitely located at Scalagrande 938846 area around heavily mined.
0840 Carrier Platoon report mines being found in forward area; 3 on top of another.
0900 Enemy machine gun post located road and track junction 938844. “C” Coy to attack on left and then from north. Platoon of “D” Coy to attack from south and to contact1 London Scottish on Bttn’s right flank. Remaining 2 platoons of “D” Coy blocking road at Gio di Galerno – Belpasso.
1000 Civilians state German HQ is in a dark red house at Brollo 8789. A lot of Germans at Nicolosi, Pedara,Trecastagne, Viagranade and then north to Zafferana 9700. Then Milo 9803. Germans not using coast road much. The few men at San Pietro have withdrawn to Mascalucia having mined the area with Teller mines. Brollo especially heavily mined. Civilians in San Gio di Galerno state that 6 Germans there until this morning watching through binoculars; they laid mines and left. The road to San Pietro has been cratered and about 30 Germans there. The road to Gravina di Catania also cratered. About 20 men and two 4.7mm A/Tk guns at Gravina. They state that the Germans have no transport and have taken bicycles and carts and they are wearing khaki.
1050 “C” Coy report located more MGs. “B” Coy to attack on left with artillery support.
1055 Platoon of “D” Coy under Sgt W Neilson not yet heard of so 16 Platoon under Lt Leahy was sent 1230 “B” Coy recced 935846 but unable to pin point MG nests. Artillery support shelled area. Bttn HQ established at 933832.
1250 “B” Coy almost on objective. A few Germans surrendering under white flags.
1330 “B” Coy silent, wireless not working. “C” Coy unable to make progress ad continuing round on left instead of right.
1405 “B”Coy now at 930850 but being heavily machine gunned from position 937855.
1700 Position at approximately 1700 hrs. Left “B” Coy area 930853 or4. ”C” Coy point 362 at 954839. Right 1 Platoon “A” Coy pushing down road to Gravina 9484 (not to get too involved). 1 platoon “D” Coy lost believed to be holding out on right). Remainder “A” and “D” Coys in reserve with CO in San Giovanni di Galerno 930840 (less 1 Platoon of ”D” Coy blocking road as in original task).
1830 “A” Coy Platoon advancing down road to Gravina road junction 937843 met considerable enemy MG fire and were halted. Runner returned to Bttn HQ and Platoon is expected to return to San Gio do Galerno. Believed suffered some casualties.
1930 Bttn HQ moved to advance HQ at 930859.
2015 Enemy MG positions pinpointed well camouflaged at 936844.
2030 Patrol information No 1 2330 – 0030 to find out if enemy are in area, track North Lavanica 9383. Recce patrol from “A” Coy No 2 2230 – 0230 5 find out any information about the enemy area 93984
7th August
0050 “B” Coy reported in position.
0325 “C” Coy reported patrol in.
“A” Coy patrol reported in.
0725 Enemy believed retired from his positions round Gravina. “B” Coy to advance to track932854 and “A” Coy and snipers to advance to the road to Gravina. “C” Coy to advance owards road junction 937854.
0730 Division reports Adrano, Belpasso, San Maria di Locosia captured yesterday. Enemy digging in to area 089852 – Aci Castello and holds positions Catir 9725.
0750 Patrol report last night 6/7 Number 2, 1 officer and 2 ORs. Task to discover any information about the enemy in area 938845. Rpoute out and along line San Giovanni – Scalagrande, times out and in 2230-0330. Information number 2 went 40 yards past bridge 934845 and found permanent post 25 yards from bridge, 2 armed sentries seen to leave gate 50 yards east of bridge and take up positions 100 yards to the south. Patrol also saw 4 men on ridge 935846 where one have orders. Number 1 patrol found it impossible to reach road 930855 to 937854 owing to high cactus bushes and other natural obstacles.
0550 OP established in building next to church at 929844.
0700 Owing to enemy quiet and civilians who say that the Germans have definitely evacuated Gravina and Mascalucia. “A” Coy to push on to road junction 936845 and beyond. “B” Coy to push northwards. If enemy encountered, “C” Coy to push through centre.
0705 “C” Coy report church bells heard ringing and sounds of rejoicing in direction Gravina.
0810 “C” Coy report no enemy encountered yet.
“A” Coy report road cratered t 934844. Party of 30 men could make passable for vehicles. Clearing minefield at road junction 936845. Enemy gone, continuing advance when road cleared.
0855 “A” Coys entered Gravina and were received with enthusiasm by civilians.
0945 “A” Coy entered Mascalucia and received a tremendous welcome.
0950 An officer of 5 Division Recce Corps informed OC “A” Coy that he was part of a mobile column which was beginning to pass through Mascalucia and was directed on Tremestieri and thence east.
1135 “A” Coy Mascalucia. One platoon road 926867, one platoon road 926870, one platoon road 931857. “C” Coy moving along road Gravina – Concezione 951862 followed by “B” Coy, “D” Coy and Bttn HQ at Gravina.
No enemy yet encountered but believed by 5 Division to be in Tremestieri.
1330 OC 5 Division Recce i/c column contacted. He gave the information that his ordered had his orders had been changed and that he was now turning north at Tremestieri.
1400 “A” Coy remaining occupying Mascalucia. “C” Coy arriving at Tremestieri, “B” Coy at Concezione 952861. “D” Coy and Bttn HQ remaining at 938853. 1 London Scottish advancing up road San Agata 955850 – San Giovanni La Punta 9687. 10 Royal Berkshires advancing up road Pomaro 970850 – San Gregorio.
1900 OC Antin Tank RA brought orders to CO from Brigade for Bttn to concentrate in are Tremestieri.
2000 Bttn left present area to move into new concentration area.
2140 Bttn in positions as follows: Bttn HQ 949868, “A” Coy 946868, “B” Coy 947973, “C” Coy 942972, “D” Coy 949864. 1 London Scottish area San Giovanni, 10 Royal Berkshires area Valverde. 5 Division having been sent north and east of Mascalucia.
8th August
0515 All coys report no enemy contact and a quiet night.
0910 Bttn moved off to concentrate in area rear of Royal Berkshires at Valverde.
1015 Bttn arrived in area Valverde, Bttn HQ 095874. “A” Coy 993884, “B” Coy 996878, “C” Coy 997882, “D” Coy 996873.
1103 enemy heavy mortar bombs fired in Bttn area. A Coy area shelled.
1400 Bttn left Valverde for San Antonio.
1530 “A” Coy under heavy mortar fire at 001905. Road cratered at 003907 and 004905.
1835 Bttn HQ established 998901. “A” Coy 005915, “B” Coy 004910, “C” Coy 000908, “D” Coy 008906.
2300 Bttn warned to be ready to move at 0645 hrs.
9th August
0625 “C” Coy to move at 0645 hrs.
0645 Bttn moved off in the following order: “C” Coy, “B” Coy, “A2 Coy, Bttn HQ,“D” Coy.
0750 Civilian reports enemy laid mines under rocks and in the vineyard besides tracks.
0800 “C” Coy reached road junction 008923.
0810 Road Malovrio cratered but passable.
0815 Advancing beyond Malovrio.
1000 “C” Coy – Enemy MG post reported by civilians at 006952.
1035 “C” Coy located enemy MG post and are mortaring it.
1130 Enemy shell fire (88 mm) in 006937.
1245 Civilians report enemy resistance 0098 and 0407 and heavy resistance likely at 0412, 0611 and 0814.
1255 “C” Coy report Fowl clear.
1300 “C” Coy report that when mortar bombs fall on enemy MG post – then behind in retreat, 2 MGs, 1 M Pistol and 1 parachutist’s steel helmet
1320 Enemy mortar firing on to rear positions. Artillery replied with fire on red house where enemy position located.
1340 “C” Coy report that there has been a tank in the field beside road junction 006995. Enemy left behind 2 tank track links or may be field guns.
1600 Bttn HQ established 006961, “A” Coy at 004966, “B” Coy 002961, “C” Coy 008967,“D” Coy 007965.
1730 “D” Coy recce patrol left from 006967 right of Losentini church 998970 via Papentonazzo 00966 to Ceccazzo.
1800 OP established 003972.
1830 DLI on copyright reported to be 800 yards beyond river (Pullet). “D2 Coy patrol sent out to recce river.
2140 Patrols to bridge at Venerina leaving 2330 hrs returning 0500 hrs. Route approximately line of road from “B” Coy to area Carica 0294 from “A” Coy and “B” Coy 10 Royal Berkshires.
2230 “D” Coy patrol returning at 2100 hrs reports road block 005985. Enemy holding Cinito 9898 and Bocca d’Aldi 9699.
2400 “B” Coy patrol report contact with DLI on right. Forward coys now 400 to 600 yards ahead of Guardia.
10th August
0030 “D” Coy recce patrols of one RE Cpl, one RE OP, one NCO and 6 ORs left along line of road (right hand side) Linera – Venerina. Patrol was to discover if enemy were at bridge 007997. If bridge had been destroyed and if enemy were still holding ground forward of bridge.
0230 “D” Coy patrol returned and discovered that at 007980 was an enemy blockhouse where movement of about 2-3 estimated. Digging was heard. RE Cpl says road in good order. Patrol commander concluded that enemy still holding this side of the river.
0610 OP reports large explosions in direction of river 357 degrees.
0615 OP reports large explosions further away, direction of river.
0640 OP reports another explosions direction of river.
0715 Civilians state that a week ago that the Italian gun site at Trepunti 036017 taken over by Germans. Also many Germans at San Giovanni 0204.
0910 1 London Scottish passed through Bttn forward.
1050 RA report by 07997 blown but river dry and diversion possible all types of vehicles after little RE work. Forward troops 1 London Scottish just short of Dagala – 000055 which civilians report mined.
1250 Contact made with 1 London Scottish whose forward troops were on line Dagala – 020005.
1330 Contact again made with 1 London Scottish whose forward troops were still in same position pinned down by enemy MGs at 022012. Contact also made with 8 DLI on right where forward troops were just beyond river.
2100 As 8 DLI were held up and proposed not moving 1 London Scottish and 10 Royal Berkshire to remain stationary for the night. Bttn to send contact patrols only. Bttn OO No 1 issued and report 1 LIR no change
11th August
0530 Bttn at ½ hour notice to move from 0700 hrs throughout the day, the Bttn remained in reserve in present area while remainder of Brigade reached line of the river.
12th August
0830 Bttn ‘O’ Group ordered. Bttn at ½ hour notice to move from 1600 hrs.
1520 Bttn to move off at 1600 hrs.
1750 Bttn arrived in concentration area. Bttn HQ established at 008012.”A” Coy 0180, “C” Coy 021004, “B” Coy 017013 and “D” Coy 019015.
2100 “C” Coy protected by one platoon of “A” Coy as “C” Coy were carrying party, collected rations for 10 Royal Berkshires from the end of the road 010017 and carried it up to 10 Royal Berkshires Regiment who were in area 9904. They reached them after a hard climb at approximately 2400 hrs. Otherwise this left hook would have been completely without supplies.
13th August
0500 CO went out on a recce and the Bttn was directed without supplies.
0905 Divisional Commander decided that 1 LIR should not go up into Paole area as he considered enemy had evacuated the area. Role of the Bttn was to go to Mascali by MT.
1045 Bttn left concentration area and advanced through Macchia on original plan.
1230 Bttn marching troops went through Macchia and over crossing for infantry at bridge 028030. MT was held up in the town until Res built MT crossing. Order of March – “B” Coy, Bttn HQ, “A” Coy, “C” Coy, “D” Coy.
1305 “B” Coy reached San Giovanni.
1400 “D” Coy in Le Paole.
1410 “D” Coy patrols report rd blown at 017053.
1930 Bttn HQ established 020047, “A” Coy 023045, “B” Coy 024051, “C” Coy 024…., “D” Coy 018054, A/Tk Platoon 044038, 3 Platoon 030032, 4 Platoon 029025.
2100 231 Brigade relieved 168 Brigade and passed through to Piedimonte without opposition
14th August
0800 Bttn, HQ having been informed by Brigade that the Bttn was to remain the present area until further notices, moved to a more permanent location at 018050.
1000 Bttn moved to area 067114 where Bttn HQ was established. This area was most unsuitable as there was little water and the ground very dirty.
1900 The Bttn moved to a new area between 1 London Scottish and the sea and Bttn established temporarily at 085115 as transport could proceed no further.
16th August
0800 “A” Coy working party began clearing a road through to house at 09011x where Bttn HQ was to be established.
1500 Bttn HQ established at 090113. Facilities for washing clothes etc and bathing in the sea were plentiful.
The Detachment of “D” Company to Scaletta from August 19th to 22nd.
“D” Company proceeded to Scaletta by LCTs from on the night of 19th/20th August to take over from a battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, the duties of a Beach Brick. This Brick operated “B” beach site of a Commando landing some nights previous to the 19th/20th August Map reference is 288399. The duties of the Brick were to arrange for the ration and disembarkation of stores by night on the beach and to Fiumefreddo.