1st January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
1115 2 LIR saw movement in Casa Tamagnin 013303 and shelled and mortared the house during the afternoon. Five direct hits scored and much damage observed.
1950 Relief of 2 Innisks by 1 RIrF completed.
1 RIrF – 000286.
2030 Complete relief of 2 Innisks.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0535 C Coy Sitrep: NTR.
0620 A Coy report sending patrol to Point 358 at 0345 hrs, which returned at 0500 hrs. NTR.
0900 B Coy reports left hand gun on 278 ridge has disappeared.
1300 Heavy gun firing on Bttn HQ. Bearing 357 from 009298.
1600 Point 156 report seeing 2 men at Razzinera. East Surreys informed and they promise to stonk the house. Gunners when registering Sillaro Haystack set off flare at 019289.
1750 B Coy report gun at 014296 firing into gully in area 012291.
1800 Leading coy of 1 RIrF arrive at Bttn HQ.
1930 Relief of bttn by 1 RIrF completed without incident. Bttn marches to Calanca and embusses for Castro San Martino.
2345 Bttn reported arrival at Castro San Martino completed.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0600 Bttn still located as follows: Bttn HQ – 00330, E Coy – 003301, G Coy – 005300, H Coy – 007307.
Sitrep: generally quiet night. Recce patrol to Tamagnin 013303 get to within 16 yards of house. Confirms area immediately north of the house booby trapped.
1200 Intentions 1 / 2: All night standing patrols to 014306 and 007302. Fighting patrol of 1 and 13 (from Battle Patrol) to Tamagnin 013303 and covering patrols to Spur 009302 and Pt 312. All out – 0400 hrs, In – 1000 hrs.
Object – to fire Tamagnin at 0830 hrs. E Coy to relieve H Coy in left forward position.
2000 Intercoy relief completed.
Sitrep: 1115 hrs – Movement seen Tamagnin and 014300. 1400 to 1500 hrs – Tamagnin shelled and mortared. Much damage southern end of building. 1500 hrs – 15 men entered house 053336. 1600 hrs – Movement and flash as of glasses Tombina 035320.
2nd January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
0400 Fighting patrol from 2 LIR went out to lie up in front of Casa Tamagnin until light and then attack and set fire to the house. On going out, the patrol set off booby traps just outside the bttn area and were forced to return. The remainder of the brigade front was quiet. Slight harassing fire on forward positions during the day. Slight enemy movement observed.
1 RIrF – 000286.
Considerable enemy mortar activity.
2015 5’3 LAA 3” mortar complete.
2 Innisks – CASTRO SAN MARTINO.
1100 The CO pays a visit to all coys. Arrangements are being made to celebrate Christmas on 4th Jan.
Died on this Day:
Corporal James Woodward, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0545 Fighting patrol to Tamagnin returned with 4 casualties after encountering booby traps at 007301.
1200 Intentions night 2/3: All night standing patrols to 014306 and 007302. Mine clearing area 007302 starts first dark. Recce patrol to Spur 009302. Out – first dark, In – 2200 hrs. Fighting patrol 1 and 13 (Battle Patrol) to Tamagnin 013303. Out 0400 hrs, In – 1000 hrs. Covering patrols to spur 009302 and Point 312. Same object as previous night.
2000 Sitrep: Movement seen 1100 hrs at buildings 030296 and 1500 hrs at buildings 027297.
3rd January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Considerable harassing fire on forward platoon 1 RIrF at Point 156 (015286) during night.
0400 Fighting patrol from 2 LIR goes out again to set fire to Casa Tamagnin.
1030 Patrol returns after being completely successful and suffering no casualties.
The fighting patrol entered north house of Casa Tamagnin at 0815 hrs after lying up for some hours 15 yards from it. After searching both storeys and finding them unoccupied, they passed through a door into a courtyard and left four men as covering party. Movement is heard in the southern house through a hole behind a straw lean to. Two incendiary grenades were thrown through the hole and the patrol returned to the north house.
Shouts were heard from the other house, which were drowned by the noise of the flames. Twenty five Huns were seen evacuating the house followed by a scorched cat. These Huns were engaged by the TSMGs of the patrol and by the covering patrol at 009302 and the MMGs at Casa Lucca 008298. Two more incendiary grenades were thrown into the straw and started to burn fiercely. The patrol withdrew at 0945 hrs with the aid of mortar and artillery smoke. The total damage to the enemy was estimated at six killed and a few more wounded. The operation was undertaken by the Battle Patrol 2 LIR commanded by Lieut Montgomorie. At 1800 hrs, the house was still burning.
1850 Patrol from 1 RIrF encountered enemy south of the road by the culvert at 017288. Both sides opened fire with no visible results. Patrol established itself at the culvert without further incident.
Another patrol later on in the evening to 018290 reported enemy slits on the knoll 015290 and an MG firing from Point 278 (015293).
2330 Patrol reports Casa Tamagnin still burning.
1 RIrF – 000286.
1850 Patrol to culvert 017288 encountered enemy patrol. Fire was exchanged, no casualties either side.
2320 Patrol to 015289 found enemy slit trenches and stick grenades but no enemy.
2 Innisks – CASTRO SAN MARTINO.
Bathing and preparation for Xmas dinner.
1400 Representative of 61 MP (US) arrive at HQ reference a report received by them of enemy agents in the area. Local priest informs us that there were some enemy agents arrested here some time ago.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0600 Sitrep: 1 mine found and cleared 007301. Fighting patrol to Tamagnin now on way with covering patrols at Point 312 and spur 009302.
0815 Fighting patrol reported to have entered Casa Tamagnin.
1015 G Coy report sniping at their positions.
1030 Patrol returned from Tamagnin.
1200 Intentions 3/4: All night standing patrols at 014306 and 007302. Recce patrols to spur 009302. First dark to 2300 hrs.
2000 Sitrep: Fighting patrol (commanded by Lieut HG Montgomorie MC) entered Casa Tamagnin 0815 hrs from north end. After searching both stories, and finding it unoccupied, patrol passed through door into courtyard, leaving 4 men as covering party. Movement heard in south house through hole behind straw lean to. Two incendiary grenades were thrown through hole and patrol returned to north house. Shouts heard from south house, which were drowned by noises of flames. 25 enemy seen evacuating blazing building from south and west. These were engaged by SMGs of patrols, covering patrol at 009302 and MMG section at Casa Lucca.
Two more incendiary grenades were thrown into straw and south house, which started to burn fiercely. Patrol withdrew 0945 hrs under cover of smoke from 3” mortars and 25 pounders. Patrol returned 1030 hrs. No casualties. Single enemy grave seen in rear of south house. Damage inflicted – 4 enemy killed, 2 more probably killed by MMG fire, several probably perished in blazing room.
1015 hrs – Right forward coy reported sniping at their positions and MMGs at Casa Lucca. One machine gunner slightly wounded. 1800 hrs – Casa Tamagnin still burning and man exploding.
4th January.
Brigade HQ –SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
0830 Brigade Commander goes to main Bttn 78 Division HQ and then on to 2 Innisks at Castro San Martino to take part in their late Christmas celebrations.
Slight HF during the day. Lt-Col Baker RA assumes command of the brigade. Intermittent shelling of left company 2 LIR between 1400 hrs and 1500 hrs. Very heavy shelling and mortaring of right company 1 RIrF during the earlier part of the night.
2300 Recce patrol from 2 LIR to Casa Tamagnin 013303 reported the house still burning and enemy digging and talking at intervals from the ridge 015302.
1 RIrF – 000286.
2208 Heavy enemy mortar activity countered by own 3” mortars and 5’3 LAA 3” mortars. We suffered three slight casualties.
2 Innisks – CASTRO SAN MARTINO.
0800 Reveille by massed bugles.
0930 Church Services.
1100 Drums and Pipes play in square at Bttn HQ.
1200 Sgts visit Officers’ Mess.
1300 Men’s Dinner. CO, 2nd in Command, and Adjutant visit all coy dining halls.
1400 Officers visit Sgts’ Mess.
2000 Dinner in Officers’ Mess. Brigade Commander and LOs, Office Commanding 10 Battery, 17th Field Regiment attend.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0600 Sirep: Regular light mortaring of our mortar positions until midnight. Fired 20 rounds 3” mortar bombs Tamagnin and Antrim. Recce patrol reported Tamagnin still burning 2330 hrs.
1200 Intentions 4/5: All night standing patrols 014306 and 007302. Recce patrol to Tamagnin. Out – 1630 hrs, In – 2300 hrs, with covering patrols. Out – 1630 hrs, In – 2330 hrs.
1255 E Coy report their OP being sniped at.
2000 Sitrep: 1255 hrs – unlocated sniper firing at OP 008305. Intermittent shelling left forward coy from 1400 to 1500 hrs.
5th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Slight harassing fire during the day.
A sniper fired at the OP 008317 at 1440 hrs.
1630 Left company 2 LIR mortared.
Patrols at night reported digging at 015289 and an enemy post at stream junction 016308.
Brigade Commander visits Divisional Pantomime at Castel Del Rio.
1 RIrF – 000286.
Suspicious haystack area 019289 engaged by Browning MG with incendiary bullets and later hit ten times by .75s with no effect. Heavy enemy mortaring all day. 1 casualty.
2 Innisks – CASTRO SAN MARTINO.
Quiet day – bathing for the men.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0600 Sitrep: Recce patrol to Casa Tamagnin returned. Houses still burning. Coughing and talking heard 1830 hrs close to and south west of house. Patrol fired on from direction of Casa Muiano (022315). 2359 hrs – covering patrol returned from spur 009302 and reported digging and talking at intervals on ridge 015302.
1200 Intentions night 5/6: All night standing patrols 014306 and 007302. Listing patrol 009302 – first dark to moonrise. Recce patrol to stream 016308. Out – 2330 hrs, In – 0400 hrs.
1530 – 1700 Enemy mortaring of E Coy area.
2000 Sitrep: 1440 hrs – sniping at OP 008317. 1550 hrs – Movement seen area Muiano 021315. 1630 – 1700 hrs: left forward coy mortared.
6th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
1100 Brigade Commander returns.
Very quiet day. Practically no harassing fire. Snow commenced falling. Ambush patrol of 1 and 3 from 2 LIR to Casa Tamagnin had a fire fight in that area at 2000 and 2200 hrs but did not return at the correct time.
1 RIrF – 000286.
Snow makes patrolling difficult. Snow clothing asked for.
2 Innisks – CASTRO SAN MARTINO.
1100 CO’s conference reference move to relieve 2 LIR.
1600 Admin order ref move issued.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0100 Lt JAS Hunter fell and fractured his ankle.
0800 Weather – raining and snowing alternately. Visibility 100 -150 yards. Forward coys put out listening posts.
Sitrep: Recce patrol reports enemy post stream junction 016308 and light at Point 166. Enemy seen at Tamagnin. Digging heard during night on spur 014301. Light HF whole front.
1200 Intentions 6/7: All night standing patrols 014306 and 007302. Ambush patrol 013301. Out – 1645 hrs, In – 2230 hrs.
Intentions night 7/8: 2 Innisks relieve 2 LIR. Bttn then move to sector reserve area Travellata
1430 Weather – now snowing hard.
2000 Still snowing. Sitrep: NTR.
Died on this Day:
Rifleman Timothy O’Mara, London Irish Rifles.
Rifleman Henry Jordan, London Irish Rifles.
Rifleman Joseph Foley, London Irish Rifles.
7th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Patrol was sent out at 0400 hrs to try and contact the ambush patrol that failed to return. They themselves returned at 0700 hrs without finding any traces. Heavy fall of snow occurred during the night. There was nearly two feet of snow on the mountain tops. 2 Innisks relieved 2 LIR by 1930 hrs. 2 LIR to Travellata. Enemy seen and heard at various places on brigade front at last light and were engaged by Vickers MG.
1 RIrF – 000286.
1737 Vickers at 008298 engaged movement at 017293.
2 Innisks – CASTRO SAN MARTINO.
0830 Bttn em-buses and moves to Mule Point, Roads are in very bad condition, due to ice and snow.
1430 Bttn arrives at Mule Point where hot meal has been provided.
1600 Bttn commences to relieve 2 LIR.
1930 Bttn relieved without incident.
2100 Brigade report. Royal Scots report Tamagnin burning. C Coy state no fires or lights in Tamagnin area.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0515 Ambush patrol to Tamagnin not yet returned. Recce patrol of 1 and 3 (from Battle Patrol) left to search for them,
0600 Sitrep: Ambush Patrol to Tamagnin not returned. Recce patrol out 0515 hrs to search for them. Firing and shouts heard in area Tamagnin 2200 hrs. Otherwise NTR.
0730 Recce patrol returned. Failed to find any trace of ambush patrol, Lt JR Newberry and 3 ORs.
0800 Average depth of snow now 1 foot.
1600 Relief of bttn by 2 Innisks commenced.
1930 Relief completed.
2055 Bttn now under command 11 Brigade in locations as follows: Bttn HQ – 991285, E Coy – 007263, G and H Coys – 998273.
8th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Snow made patrol movement difficult during night and roads and tracks exceedingly difficult owing to heavy frost.
Tamagnin still shows signs of enemy occupation. Enemy patrol in complete snow clothing approached to within 50 yards of Point 156. They were engaged by Bren and scattered. Bloodstains in snow indicate casualties caused. Blizzard sprang up from 1600 – 1700 hrs. Intense wind and snow showers.
1 RIrF – 000286.
0600 Enemy patrol in snow clothing engaged by our patrol at 015288.
0630 Search of area produced one enemy cap, covered with white goose bandage and blood on the snow confirms at least one enemy casualty.
1030 OP reports snow reveals heavy pedestrian traffic around Sillaro 017293 with all tracks converging at one point.
1925 Enemy mortar caused one casualty among crew of Canadian tank 009286. Stretcher jeep sent.
2030 Our patrol at 015288 engaged considerable body of enemy, estimated 10 to 15. Cpl Nanton wounded. DF 24 – 23 and 3 fired by 3” mortar and the area 017293 harassed by 25 pounder.
2050 Patrol out to area of encounter.
2145 Patrol found many blood stains and heard movement close then were engaged by light mortar at close range. Returned and further DF brought down.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0600 Standing Patrols report back with NTR. All coys report NTR.
1000 Four light mortar bombs in area of B Coy and Bttn HQ. CO decides not to send out any patrols as tracks in snow will give away positions.
1315 C Coy report one man leaving Tamagnin.
1615 Visibility very bad due to blizzard. OPs are sent forward and report visibility only 30 yards.
1700 The CO and Signal Officer pay a visit to C Coy.
2000 Blizzard dies down and visibility now normal.
2 LIR – ITALY.
E, G and H Coy billets were left in bad condition by previous occupants. Coys spent day in attempt to make billets habitable. Supplies etc were brought forward from Bttn HQ at San Clemente and ferried across ford by jeeps. Loads had to be manhandled last 300 yards to coy billets as a heavy fall of snow rendered the road impassable. E Coy supplies went by jeep to Ripiano, thence by mule train to coy area.
9th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Patrol 1 RIrF to culvert clashed with large enemy patrol. Fire fight ensued and believed caused several casualties. Inspection of area later showed many bloodstains in snow. Bright sun during day. Snow still thick.
1 RIrF – 000286.
0125 C Coy (Lt J Beamish) report Cpl Carruthers and one man missing from patrol to 010292. They had gone leaving two, to contact patrol from D Coy.
0930 Lt Beamish reports footprints leading from 010292 toward enemy position, crossing valley at 013291.
1725 Enemy MG firing at our position at Point 156 (014287) from area 020288 silenced by 3” mortars.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0600 Coys report NTR.
1000 Many tracks leading from Anzellara house observed. One leading to an obvious well and others leading to slit trenches. Track activity is also observed along Anzellara – Muiano ridge.
1100 One mule seen at Cassa Volte.
1130 Brigade Commander visits Bttn HQ.
1445 Three enemy seen at Volte and 1 at Muiano.
1730 MMGs engage Anzellara and tracks observed earlier in day.
2 LIR – ITALY.
Quiet day. NTR.
10th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Very quiet night. Very cold through day but sunny. 19 degrees of frost during day.
1 RIrF – 000286.
1045 Tracks and movement indicate that Tamagnin 013303 is again occupied.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0050 One red verey light reported fired from Cereto ridge.
0630 MMGs again fire on Anzellara.
0930 RC Mass held in Bttn HQ. 3” mortars firing 1100 to 1300 hrs on Point 342, Anzellara, Antrim, Cereto and Point 297.
1045 CO visits C Coy.
1200 LO from US 85th Division visits Bttn HQ reference takeover of 85th Division on our left.
1615 C Coy HQ mortared. Bearing of 67 degrees from Sopra. Counter mortar fire retaliatory bombard. A Coy OP reports seeing one man at Casa Volte. Artillery OP reports seeing a goat at Volte.
1845 A Coy reports one red flare on a bearing of 50 degree from OP followed by two red flares on a bearing of 70 degrees.
2200 Flash bearing on gun reported by C Coy. Bearing taken from 005309 – 95 degrees magnetic. Passed to counter battery.
2 LIR – ITALY.
Quiet day. NTR.
11th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Very quiet night. Very cold night again (14 degrees of frost) and roads and tracks exceedingly difficult. At 1130 hrs, Vickers MG of D Support Group fired on 4 enemy at 019294 killing one, wounded another and possibly one another. Enemy stretcher party came out 1230 and picked up wounded man, leaving corpse.
1 RIrF – 000286.
1035 Vickers, area 008298, opened fire on two enemy at 019293. SBs carried one into house and bundled the other up and left him lying in the snow.
1050 D Coy (Capt Wilton) report tracks in snow indicate enemy patrol four strong lay up within 50 yards of D Coy FDL.
1745 Vickers engaged 6 enemy area 022296.
2050 Enemy MG at 020288 silenced by 3” mortars and 25 pounder fire
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0600 Coys sitrep. Nothing to report.
1145 Three enemy seen at Caternara engaged by artillery.
1230 One man seen at Point 297.
1315 3” mortars engage Point 297. One direct hit.
1410 Artillery engage Point 297. Several direct hits observed.
1415 One mule observed at Volte.
1905 One white verey light forward of Frasinetto.
2340 B and C Coys report one white verey light from Antrim Air. RIrF report they are firing 2” flares.
2 LIR – ITALY.
A delegation of MPs visited rifle coys to see conditions under which the front line troops in Italy were fighting.
Died on this Day:
Rifleman Michael Foley, London Irish Rifles.
12th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
At 0615 hrs, 3 heavy explosions occurred at 015287 near Point 156. Believed rocket projectiles at first but later thought to be nebelwerfer projectiles. No damage or casualties.
Brigadier TPD Scott DSO left this HQ 1400 hrs on home leave.
Lt Col Preston KOYLI acting Brigade Commander arrived 1500 hrs.
Lt Col Bredin 2 LIR succeeds Lt Col Preston as G I 78 Division.
Major J Stewart appointed A/Commander 2 LIR.
Thaw set in during day but with not much effect.
2 LIR relieved 1 RIrF in right sector. 1 RIrF to Tamagnin.
1 RIrF – 000286.
0220 D Coy (Capt Wilton) reports patrol returning from 009292 engaged 7 Huns on track in that area with grenades and TSMG. Enemy fled.
0615 Three rocket type projectiles landed in area 015288. No casualties though the blast was violent at this HQ. Search of area failed to produce any fragments.
2000 Relieved by 2 LIR move HQ to 990284. C and D Coys to 998273. B Coy to 010265 and came under command 11 Brigade.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0600 Battle Patrol established listening post (3 men) on ridge 300 yards forward of C Coy right platoon at 011305. CO accompanies Patrol to C Coy.
0830 One man in white clothing seen leaving Casa Volte. Three men seen at Point 297. Forresters informed.
0855 Battle Patrol return from 011305 and report back to C Coy. Report seeing three enemy enter Tamagnin from the gully behind.
0930 Mortars report firing from behind Antrim. 3” mortars engage.
1145 C Coy OP report two men moving from behind Antrim. 3” mortars engage.
1200 All rounds on target area and two direct hits.
1630 Mediums engage Anzellara. Several near hits registered. 25 pounders fire air bursts over gully at rear of houses while mediums were firing.
1816 8 Platoon OP report guns firing on Monte Grande. Bearing 37 degrees grid.
1852 C Coy from 005308 report three guns firing on bearings 87 deg – 84 deg – 81 grid flash to bang 5 secs. CMO informed.
1930 B Coy from 005300 report mortar firing on Lucca. Bearing 97 degrees grid. Passed to CMO.
1945 A Coy from 004301 report one red flare on bearing 112 degrees grid.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0800 Preparations for move forward to relieve 2 Innisks.
1700 Bttn HQ left Clemente house.
1730 Bttn HQ arrived Casa Careggiana 001286.
2200 Relief completed. Locations as follows: E Coy – hill position at Cassa di Lucca 008298, with a platoon at Sasso 008294. G Coy – forward position on road at Casa Corniano 009287 with one platoon forward at Ambush House 015287 and half platoon at Valley Farm 013288. H Coy plus Battle Patrol in reserve position Casa di Villa 004287. Two sections of the A/Tk Platoon acting as infantry with E Coy. Mortar Platoon in gully 001289. MMGs on ridge Point 207 in G Coy’s area.
13th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Quiet night. Rocket projectiles (nebelwerfers) reported firing on to 1 Division front, none dropped in own area. snow and sheet all day with some thaw. Movement difficult. Culvert 016288 discovered to have been blown and now considered to be a tank obstacle. Air photographer taken at 1115 on 11 January shows cloud of smoke over culvert, which must have been time of explosion.
1 RIrF – 990284.
NTR.
Major AJ Morris OBE MBE rejoined.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0220 Enemy using Nebelwerfers, area shelled unknown. Bearing from 004301 – 58 degrees. Bearing fro 005300 – 72 degrees. C Coy OP 007305 – 7 degrees. Area shelled left coy Forresters. Bearings passed to CMO and CBO.
0600 Heavy snow fell during night and is still falling. Battle Patrol did not send out Listening Patrol to 011305 due to poor visibility. Coys remain in night positions.
0845 C Coy sends Listening Patrol to 011305 to lie up and observe Tamagnin and tracks when visibility permits.
1000 C Coy Patrol returns.
1100 Battle Patrol send Patrol of one officer and two other ranks forward to 011305.
1130 The acting Brigade Commander visits Bttn HQ.
1400 C Coy report Battle Patrol returning to right forward platoon. They were observed by the enemy and mortared by light mortar and could not return by usual route. Patrol reports no new tracks on Tamagnin.
2025 Forresters report their Patrol in Bazzano gully and saw 5 enemy in gully at approx 011311. C Coy informed.
2255 Four Bosche appeared at about 200 yards in front of 11 Platoon B Coy. Enemy discovered they had been observed and withdrew at once, no shots were fired. Enemy were not wearing snow camouflage suits.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0600 Heavy fall of snow during night.
0700 Sitrep: Routine standing patrols NTR.
0800 Two sniping patrols out from G Coy to 012294 and Knoll 015289. Time in – 1200 hrs.
1000 Intentions night 13/14: Recce patrol 1 and 2 to stream 013291. Out – first dark, In – 2100 hrs. Recce patrol 1 and 4 to 017288. Out – 0400 hrs, In – first light. All night standing patrols at culvert 016288 and knoll 015290. Contact patrol between forward coys. Own MMGs firing on Casa Sillaro at 2130 hrs.
1800 Sitrep: Two enemy seen on Point 342 at 1315 hrs. Engaged by 3” mortars.
14th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Thawing with snow and sleet freezing during night. Tracks and roads glassy. During early evening, various reports of houses being on fire were received. Calvana 023296 house at Point 166 019303 and Cavicchio 030296 were all reported together with building near Casa Tomba by 11 Brigade. Later investigation by 2 Innisks proved house Point 166 unchanged and only house visible to be burning was Cavicchio. It is thought that other reports referred to this house.
Battle patrol 2 LIR had a successful engagement with party of 9 enemy at culvert 016288. Two enemy were killed and 2 wounded. Two dead were identified as paratroopers from 4 zbv GAF. Wounded escaped. They probably had the task of mining possible diversions at the blown culvert.
1 RIrF – 990284.
14th to 16th – NTR.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0600 CO visits C Coy returns at 0750 hrs.
0630 OC B Coy reports. Patrol to area 006301, return and reports track in snow, where men had walked, also marks where they had crawled a short distance.
0900 Sgt Doherty and Battle Patrol return from 011305 reports no tracks or movement at Tamagnin. Pinpointed two dug outs against north wall of east house.
1330 C Coy report 17 light mortar bombs on coy area.
1340 4.2” mortars engage Tamagnin and Point 166. 3” mortars to fire on Point 166 at 1600 hrs.
2100 One flare reported going up between B Coy and 2 LIR coy position at Lucca. 3” mortars engage Point 166 and Fontanelie.
2210 C Coy report two vehicles moving on Ronco-Muiano track.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0730 Sitrep: Standing patrol at 016288 report culvert destroyed and now probably on A/Tk obstacle. Small parties of enemy engaged and beaten off at intervals during night. Patrol to 017288 cancelled.
0800 G Coy sniper patrol on ridge above Valley Farm.
0845 Enemy mortar and artillery barrage general area road between forward house and G Coy HQ.
1000 Intentions night 14/15: Normal night standing patrols. Patrol from Battle Platoon to culvert area 016288. Out – first dark.
1605 Enemy mortar barrage on ridge above Valley Farm.
1800 Sitrep: Slight enemy shelling and mortaring of bttn area. Otherwise NTR.
15th January.
Brigade HQ –SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Bttn areas were subjected to heavier enemy mortaring than usual and house at Point 156 received particular attention between 2030 and 2359 hrs when over a hundred enemy mortar bombs fell during the house. A machine gun from the vicinity of Casa Nuova kept Point 156 under fire all night. Patrols which did not visit culvert area reported NTR. Heavy fog enshrouded the Sillaro valley all day and movement was further harassed by frost.
Major Stewart appointed CO 2 LIR.
Lt Col J Coldwell Horsfall 1 RIrF returned ex hospital and stayed the night at Brigade HQ.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0700 B Coy patrol report NTR. C Coy patrol hearing voices on ridge behind Tamagnin.
1145 Battle Patrol leader fires Piat bombs at Tamagnin. Patrol pinpoints enemy dugout and OP at 007301.
1600 C Coy report approx six light mortar bombs in coy area.
2000 Battle Patrol returns from 010302. Nothing to report.
2030 Battle Patrol out to the foot of Black Ridge. Returned 2130 hrs. NTR.
2215 A Coy patrol returns. NTR.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0400 Patrol to culvert area, commanded by Lt Montgomorie, reports back with two enemy dead and one Spandau MG.
0700 Sitrep: 1930 hrs – Culvert patrol report 9 enemy approaching along road. Patrol opened fire at 20 yards, killing 2 and wounding 2. Enemy replied with MG fire. No casualties own troops. Enemy wearing coarse cream coloured camouflage dress. Left forward company report 6 enemy in gully 010295, who withdrew after being engaged by our MMGs. This party not wearing camouflage uniform.
1200 Intentions night 15/16: E Coy all night standing patrol to Point 358. Sniper patrol to 011295. Out – first light, In – 1200 hrs. Normal contact patrols to H Coy. Two Recce patrols (H Coy) to culvert i) Out – 2030 hrs, In – 2200 hrs. ii) Out – 0530 hrs, In – first light. Knoll ambush and contact patrol as normal. Battle Patrol Recce to stream junction 013292. Out – first dark, In – 2200 hrs.
2030 Forward house reported being mortared.
2240 G to E Coy contact patrol report visibility very bad.
16th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Enemy activity was mainly confined to continued harassing of Point 156 throughout the morning. Nebelwerfers were again active on 2 LIR front early in the morning. Visibility was at an absolute minimum all day to dense fog. Heavy frost during night.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0510 No 12 Platoon B Coy report Nebelwerfer firing on as bearing of 116 degree. Passed to Counter Mortar Officer.
0515 No 12 Platoon report another Nebelwerfer. Bearing 74 degrees. Bearing from C Coy 85 degree.
0610 Bren Gun Group established forward of B Coy.
0715 C Coy report: Patrol to Black Ridge saddle, heard voices and movement at Tamagnin. C Coy send Patrol to foot of Black Ridge.
0810 Battle Patrol snipers return. Visibility nil, thick mist.
0825 C Coy Patrol return. Nothing to report.
0830 Battle Patrol snipers go out again.
1230 Snipers from Battle Patrol returns to C Coy. Visibility nil.
1730 Battle Patrol go out down Black Ridge to Tamagnin.
2130 Lieut Trainer, Battle Patrol Commander, returns to C Coy HQ. Reports reaching stream junction at Tamagnin. Tamagnin not occupied. Challenging by sentries and movement heard at Point 166 and movement on lower slopes of Antrim.
3” mortars engage Point 166 and Antrim. 4.2” mortars engage Point 166.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0100 Forward house report Spandau firing from bushes area 018287 continuously since 0030 hrs.
0135 E Coy patrol in from Point 358. Occasional talking heard from enemy Point 342. One verey light was fired from Point 342 while E Coy patrol was being relieved.
0500 Three large Nebel projectiles reported landed in front of G Coy Platoon on Point 207.
0520 G Coy Platoon in Forward House report enemy Spandau giving trouble as it fires on road. Six mortar bombs put down on area of Spandau.
0630 Two buglers blew long Reveille in forward coy area.
0730 Sitrep: 100 mortar bombs on area Point 156 between 1930 and 2030 hrs. Continuous MG and mortar fire of forward bttn area. 0500 – 0600 hrs ten projectiles fell in Sasso area. No casualties.
0800 Intentions night 16/17: All night standing patrols at 013297, 012286 and 015289. Patrol to culvert 016288. Out – 0530, In – first light. Recce patrol to area 014296. Out – first dark, In – 2300 hrs.
1200 Command of bttn passed from Lt Col HEN Bredin DSO MC to Major JD Stewart MBE.
1700 Officer reinforcements arrived Forward Bttn HQ – Lt JHC Taylor (Lincs), Capt RL Yarr (RA), Capt RA Durward (RA), Lt MC Murphy (RA), Capt JA Berry (RUR), Lt WH Green-Armytage (RA).
1730 Pioneer Platoon proceed to forward house for purpose of sandbagging and otherwise strengthening the position.
1800 Sitrep: Quiet day. NTR.
2300 Eight mortar bombs fell in G Coy area.
2325 Recce patrol (Battle Patrol) returned. NTR.
17th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Casa Tamagnin reported unoccupied but signs and sounds of enemy at Point 166 and Antrim. This activity was mortared by 2 Innisks. An enemy patrol of 4 men was observed at 005300 and dispersed by MG fire. Sounds of hilarity was heard by a patrol to the culvert 016287 coming from a haystack at 018288. The patrol went past the culvert but found no other signs of the enemy. A very slight fall of snow during the night. Commander and other officers of HQ 338 Regiment US Army were entertained at Brigade HQ. 2 Innisks were relieved by 1 RIrF in left sector. 2 Innisks to Travellata and come under command 11 Brigade. Lt Col J Coldwell Horsfall leaves 1 RIrF pending posting to AFHQ. Lt Col M Palmer remains Commander of 1 RIrF.
1 RIrF – 003300.
Reverted to 8th Army Command.
2210 Relieved 2 Innisks.
2250 Lt J Beamish returned from contacting 1/338 US Regiment on our left.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0030 B Coy report that at 2030 hrs, four enemy approached the positions in the same area as before. A Bren gunner opened fire when enemy were approx 100 yards away. Enemy scattered and ran away.
0700 OC B Coy reports. Patrol sent out to examine enemy tracks returned and reported enemy did not cross the Dannert wire in front of the coy.
1400 CO and O Group RIrF arrive to take over from bttn.
1645 Bttn HQ and B Coy relieved.
1930 C Coy relieved.
2230 A Coy relieved.
Bttn moved by route march to 11 Brigade reserve area at Trevallata and came under command of 11 Brigade at 6 hours notice to move.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0030 MG fire on Forward House from enemy held Sillaro area.
Own MMGs and mortars retaliated.
0045 Enemy MG again opened up.
0215 Right flanking bttn (5 Northants) contact patrol reported to H Coy.
0620 Sitrep: E Coy report persistent light mortaring from 2200 to 2300 hrs. Direct hit on one trench. No casualties. Patrol to Point 358. NTR.
0700 E Coy sniper patrol out to 011295. Time in – 1100 hrs.
1000 Intentions night 17/18: Normal contact patrols between E and H Coys. Standing Patrol from E Coy on Point 358 and from H Coy on knoll 015290. All night ambush patrol to 009286. 1 and 4 from Battle Patrols to area south of culvert. Out – first dark, In – 2100 hrs. Listening patrol to culvert from Point 156 (provided by G Coy). Out – 0430 hrs, In – first light.
1800 Sitrep: 1030 – Three enemy seen digging in area of haystack. 1100 – One enemy in front of haystack sniped at and believed killed. 1115 – One enemy on track between haystack and main road sniped at and wounded. 1600 – Two enemy seen area Point 278 machine gunned and went to ground.
1815 G Coy tested their weapons.
2100 Patrol to area south of culvert returned. They reported that our mortaring of river areas at 1945 hrs produced some screams. Otherwise NTR.
2345 MMGs report 12 enemy moving up gully towards Lucca area (E Coy HQ area).
18th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Four PoW captured by 2 LIR standing patrol at 009291. They formed a patrol apparently sent out to capture a prisoner. All four came from 2 Coy 3 Para Regiment.
1200 Enemy seen near haystack 019289 and sniped.
2130 An enemy patrol approached the left forward positions 1 RIrF and after a short engagement with SA and grenades was dispersed. Enemy mortaring of area 008287 from 2000 to 2200 hrs.
1 RIrF – 003300.
1000 Bttn HQ visited by 2.i.c. 85 US Division and OC 338 US Regiment.
2137 Enemy patrol in area 004302 dispersed after brisk exchange of grenades and TSMG fire. DF brought down.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
1000 CO visits coys.
1300 CO and Adjutant visit 11 Brigade HQ and are given details of counter attack role for bttn.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0010 E Coy report no enemy in their area.
00015 Six bombs from 15cm Nebel fell in G Coy area. No casualties.
0525 Contact patrol between E and H Coys captured 4 enemy. Identifications believed to be 2 Coy, 1 Bttn, 3 Regiment, 1 Para Division.
0737 E Coy fired MMGs at enemy seen in area between Basin and Sillaro.
1000 Intentions night 18/19: H Coy to relieve E Coy. Knoll and ambush patrols – first dark to 0100 hrs by Battle Patrol and 0100 hrs to first light by E Coy. E Coy listening patrol to Point 358. Out 1st dark until relieved by H Coy. Normal contact patrols between E and H Coys. Listening patrol (from Battle Patrol) to culvert. First dark – 2200 hrs.
1800 CO makes application to 38 Brigade HQ for Sonic (Propaganda broadcasting) troops to be brought up into bttn area.
1830 Sitrep: One enemy seen in trench in haystack area 019289 sniped. Two stretcher bearers under Red Cross flag later carried a body away.
2025 Intercoy relief completed. H Coy now in position at Lucca.
2030 G Coy report that enemy mortaring set fire to ammo in area 008287.
2200 Enemy continues to harass area 008287. CO lays down counter mortar action.
19th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Three enemy were seen in the gully 004308 and dispersed by grenades. The day was extremely quiet. The sun came up during the day but a cold north wind kept the temperature down. The only activity was the usual harassing fire of 2 LIR area at about 1645 hrs. There was some slight shelling of Boston Byway at the same time.
1 RIrF – 003300.
0145 C Coy (Capt L Manson MC) report having fired on enemy patrol of three men area 018310.
2225 Contact patrol with US on left established.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
1200 Brigade Commander visits Bttn HQ.
1600 Due to thaw and rain ford at Clemente becomes impassable.
1900 Ford at Clemente becomes passable and A Coy rations are ferried across.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0700 Sitrep: Reserve and left forward coys changed over without incident. Culvert patrol 017288 reports sound of work (riveting) from area right of haystack 019289.
1000 Intentions night 19/20: All night standing patrols to knoll (E Coy) and Point 358 (H Coy) and a Pendulum Patrol by E Coy, points of call being Point 156, culvert 014286, trenches 012286 and Point 165. Half an hour at each point. Battle Patrol ambush to culvert 017288, all night and recce forward at 0400 hrs to establish presence of enemy or otherwise in face of scrub area 018287. Destruction of haystack at first light (subject to confirmation with 11 Brigade).
Knoll patrol to prepare new positions on top of knoll and to recce new route to it from Valley Farm.
1640 Heavy enemy artillery and mortar barrage for 10 mins on G and H Coys and Bttn HQ areas.
1800 Sitrep: 1640 hrs – 20 enemy shells in bttn area caused 2 slight casualties. Area Point 165 mortared at 1730 hrs. Bttn instituted a counter mortar shoot on known enemy positions.
20th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Quiet night on the whole. Some 12cm mortar bombs landed at Casa Corniano 013286 at 0030 hrs. extremely quiet day. No enemy activity.
1 RIrF – 003300.
0700 D Coy (Capt Wilton) report tracks indicate enemy patrol in our FDLs last night.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
1100 CO visits coys. The day was spent in cleaning weapons and generally cleaning up.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0600 IO, Signal Officer and coy representatives left Bttn HQ on recce of new positions on right flank of Sillaro. Intentions being to take over this sector (Monte Spaduro) after bttn has had 4 days rest in Castro San Martino.
0730 Sitrep: Quiet night. Slight mortaring bttn area. Recce from Battle Patrol reports scrub at 018288 not occupied by enemy.
1000 Intentions night 20/21: E Coy – knoll, pendulum and contact patrols. G Coy patrol to culvert. H Coy normal patrol to Point 358. Trip flares laying party (Pioneer Platoon) to culvert. Out – first dark, In – On Completion. G Coy to provide covering party of 1 and 4.
1800 Sitrep: Quiet day. NTR.
2000 Representatives from right flanking bttn (5 Northants) visited Bttn HQ for information in regard to enemy reactions from our side if 5 Northants attacked enemy outposts at Casa Tromba.
21st January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Dawn patrol going out to the culvert 015286 was mortared after a signal of two white verey lights going up from Casa il Sallaro. An enemy patrol approached 1 RIrF FDLs at 004301 and after one man going forward to investigate was fired on and taken prisoners. Considerable enemy movement was seen at Martino 065323 during the morning and on OP observed on the spur just east of Casa Volte. Both targets were engaged by 17 Field Regiment. Enemy observed digging at 015293 by 2 LIR. Their right forward company was mortared intermittently all day.
1 RIrF – 003300.
0125 C Coy (Capt Manson MC) reports Fus Bennett accidentally shot in thigh while moving to forward position.
0330 B Coy (Maj N Plymen) report two men in listening post 004302 attacked and one, Fus Caves, wounded and captured.
Died on this Day:
Fusilier Leslie Caves, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
The day was spent in checking stores and ammunition.
2310 Enemy aircraft dropped three bombs in Bttn HQ area. No damage or casualties were caused.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0730 Sitrep: Quiet night except for twenty 12cm mortar bombs on G Coy HQ area at 0300 hrs. All patrols NTR except G Coy dawn patrol to culvert, who reported white flares from Sillaro and Spandau and mortar fire in Forward house area.
1000 Intentions night 21/22: H coy – knoll and pendulum patrols. Contact patrol between H and E Coys. Dawn patrol to culvert by G Coy. Battle Patrol to provide ambush patrol of 1 and 4 to stream junction 013292 . Out – 0200 hrs, In – 0600 hrs. Destruction of haystack at first light, subject to confirmation with 12 CAR.
1800 Sitrep: Quiet day. Two enemy digging at 015292 at 1430 hrs.
22nd January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
MGs 2 LIR harassed enemy observed around burning house at C Muiano. Enemy were also observed entering Casa Tamagnin.
1 RIrF – 003300.
1815 3” mortar and artillery engage movement at 023315.
1826 3” mortar engage movement at 013303
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
Preparations are made for the bttn move to take place tomorrow.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0730 Sitrep: Right forward coy mortared intermittently. 2355 – Enemy aircraft dropped 2 bombs in area, exact location unknown.
1000 Intentions night 22/23: Normal all night standing patrols. Battle patrol out 0300 hrs to culvert to cover Pioneers lifting trip flares laid a few nights previously In on completion of task.
1800 Sitrep: Quiet day.
23rd January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Lt Col RS Baker Commander 17 Field Regiment RA left to take up an appointment at home. His departure was a blow and his presence will be sadly missed. As the guest of honour, he was given a farewell party at Brigade HQ, which included several officers from his regiment. 2 Innisks moved forward from the Reserve Bttn area of 11 Brigade during the afternoon and take over positions in right bttn sector.
1950 Relief of 2 LIR by 2 Innisks completed.
Patrols NTR during the night. An enemy patrol of six approached area 008299 but were dispersed by MMGs 1 RIrF. No enemy HF during the night.
1 RIrF – 003300.
2245 Sounds and movement at 013203 engaged by 3” mortars. Major RSV Howard rejoined from hospital.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
1730 B Coy at Mule Point ready to move forward to San Lucca.
1830 Bttn HQ relief completed.
1930 Bttn relief completed. A Coy in reserve at Point 170. B Coy at Lucca. C Coy at Point 165. One platoon of A Coy at Point 156. Patrols 1) Standing Patrol from Point 156 at Culvert 017288 all night. 2) Standing Patrol at 007290 all night. 3) Standing Patrol until 2400 hrs at 013291. 4) Standing Patrol at 005285 all night.
2330 CO visits A and C Coy.
2345 C Coy report patrol from 013291 returned. NTR.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0400 Pioneers report trip flares lifted from culvert without incident.
0445 Five mortar bombs on H Coy area.
0800 Preparations commenced for relief by 2 Innisks.
1200 2 Innisks recce party arrive Bttn HQ.
1800 Sitrep: Quiet day. Enemy harassing Sasso between 0945 and 1000 hrs.
1815 Bttn HQ and Mortar Platoon relieved and proceeded by march route to normal em-busing point.
2100 Relief complete.
2345 Bttn now in area Castro San Martino 850044. Billets were found to be in a disgraceful condition. Doors and window frames etc had been burnt by previous occupants.
24th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Brigade Commander visits 1 RIrF.
Slight mortaring during the day.
Patrols reported slight movement but made no contact. Some enemy seen moving about were engaged by our artillery.
Red and green flares observed at Tamagnin after our own MG harassing fire.
Three inches of snow fell during the night.
1 RIrF – 003300.
0210 Force of 6 enemy dispersed by bren fire area 006301.
1000 Vickers engage movement at 023316.
1900 Vickers harass Tamagnin 013303 and spur 014301 from position at 008306 causing enemy to fire many flares.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0600 C Coy sitrep. Nothing to report.
0625 B Coy sitrep. NTR. A Coy reported Argylls contacting Standing Patrol at 005285 at 0125hrs.
0740 C Coy report six mortar bombs in area gully north of Point 165.
0930 CO visits B Coy.
1345 C Coy report out of communication with Valley Farm. B Coy and MMGs warned.
2035 Patrol to Culvert 017288 returned. No enemy seen but movement and coughing heard in Culvert at 019289. No action resulted.
2105 Patrol to Knoll 015289 returned. NTR.
2130 Flare seen in the direction of Sasso from Point 207. Enquiries from B Coy report it to be a flare and sent out a contact Patrol who say they heard movement.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0800 Bttn now resting. Preparations in progress for making up personal kit, gas and snow kit deficiencies
25th January.
Brigade HQ– SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Brigade Commander to 2 Innisks.
Tracks in the snow were observed by our OPs and some slit trenches. Slight enemy movement was engaged by MGs and artillery.
1 RIrF – 003300.
1130 Three enemy seen at 014299 engaged by 3” mortars.
1400 Movement at 014299 again engaged by 3” mortars.
2230 C Coy (Capt Manson MC) report positions area 008306 being shelled and machine gunned.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0035 8 A&SH contact A Coy Standing Patrol at 005285.
0400 Four mortar bombs land behind Point 156 in area 013287.
0550 C Coy NTR.
0605 Sitrep to brigade. Patrols above, otherwise NTR.
0620 C Coy report Patrol to Culvert returned. NTR.
Heavy snow fell during the night.
0730 B Coy report trenches and tracks visible on Point 342, tracks leading down to Antrim.
1130 MMGs fire on Scrub at 018288.
1215 Brigade Commander visits Bttn HQ, also A, B and C Coys’ HQs.
1620 Visibility at Point 156 is at 15 yards due to artificial smoke screen drifting up from river bed.
1635 Four enemy mortar bombs land in Culvert at 017288. 2 Innisks Admin Order No 1 issued.
2 LIR – ITALY.
MO lecturing coys on perils of VD.
1000 CO’s conference with Coy Commanders and later with OCs specialist platoons on various aspects of present campaign.
26th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Brigade Commander visits 1 RIrF.
Recce parties 6 RWK arrive at Brigade HQ Enemy movement and MGs firing at 013303 and 022315 engaged by mortars. 2 Innisks reported the forward platoon at Point 156 was mortared throughout the night. An enemy patrol approached the culvert 017288 and dispersed after a short fire fight.
Some rocket projectiles were fired during the night.
The officers of Brigade HQ entertained Col Mikkelsen, Commander 338 Infantry Regiment and various other officers including ADMS and G 1 to dinner at Brigade HQ.
1 RIrF – 003300.
Major JR Cullen attached for Infantry Training.
0915 Movement at 014299 engaged by 3” mortars.
2115 Movement at 013303 engaged by 3” mortars.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0035 Battle Patrols, Ambush Patrol at 014292 returned. NTR.
0145 8 A&SH Patrol contacted A Coy Patrol at 05285.
0545 Six heavy shells or Rockets, land in river bed, area 013283 and 010 283. One man killed in C.
0600 Enemy mortar Point 207, 30 rounds fall in the area. Bearing from 009287 – 65 degrees magnetic. Coys report Patrols in. NTR.
0700 Lines to Valley Farm and Point 156 broken through enemy rockets.
0723 Forty mortar bombs land on Point 156. CMO fire bombard.
0900 RA OP reports seeing three men with a mortar on Point 342. 3” and 2” mortars engage target.
1625 C Coy area mortared. Sixteen bombs fall in this area. Counter mortar fire retaliatory bombard.
1910 C Coy report Patrol to Culvert 017288 returned. NTR.
2030 C Coy Patrol to Knoll 015289 returned. NTR.
2035 C Coy report 12 light mortar bombs on Point 156.
2105 Battle Patrol returns. Patrol reached 016291. Some enemy in trenches. Two trenches at 016292, one trench at 015292. Some movement at track at 018291. Unable to get close to enemy owing to clear visibility.
C Coy report four light mortar bombs in their area.
2325 C Coy digging party return. Track complete.
Died on this Day:
Lance Sergeant Thomas Kidd, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0700 Heavy fall of rain.
Baths and change of clothing at American MBU (which was placed at bttn’s disposal for the day).
27th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
6 RWK move up from rest area by day and come under command 38 Brigade. They are to relieve 1 RIrF in left bttn sector. Quiet day. 2 Innisks patrol to knoll 015289 saw enemy movement Point 278 and around Casa Sillaro. The slight thaws of the past two days caused the Sillaro river to increase its speed considerably and the ford at San Clemente 9928 became impassable. Minefields laid in the river bed by 85 US Division as part of their defensive programme were swept away. One lorry was blown up by one of these mines in an attempt to cross the ford.
1940 Relief of 1 RIrF by 6 RWK completed.
1 RIrF move back by transport to the new Brigade Rest Area at Caselline Q 8478. No enemy mortaring or shelling during the night.
1 RIrF – 003300.
0110 MG at 020316 engaged by 3” mortars.
0020 Movement at 013303 engaged by 3” mortars.
1900 Relieved by 6 RWK .
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0315 C Coy report one Nebelwerfer in area between Point 156 and Point 165.
0320 C Coy report ten light mortar bombs land in area of Point 156.
0328 3” Mortar Platoon engage Casa Sillaro and Casa Nuova.
0420 C Coy report 4 light mortar bombs on Point 156.
0627 Point 156 reported enemy movement on Knoll and Culvert. Garrison commander thought enemy forming up for attack. DF ‘Stalin’ fired by artillery. MMGs and 3” mortars fired. Attack did not materialise.
0633 Bttn MGs shoot up Scrub.
0637 RA report Shot on DF. ‘Stalin’ right, left and forward.
0639 Bttn 3” mortars fire DF for Point 156.
0645 A Coy remaining two platoons warned to stand by.
Situation – Section at Point 156 saw number of enemy in front of fire, apparently standing by. On light signal, Point 156 stonked and enemy opened up with Schmeisser. DF called for and MMGs called for. DF proved very effective.
0647 Two sections of A Coy platoon, manning Point 156, ordered forward to C3 Coy and held in immediate counter attack role.
0650 Forward section report situation clear.
2030 Battle Patrol returns from Knoll. Heard movement around Sillaro.
2 LIR – ITALY.
1000 Respirators tested in gas chamber improvised by Pioneer Platoon.
28th January.
Brigade HQ – SAN CLEMENTE 9928.
Advance parties 5 Buffs arrived at Brigade HQ. They are going to take over right bttn sector from 2 Innisks tomorrow.
1600 Brigadier J Musson, Commander 36 Brigade, arrives at Brigade HQ.
Quiet night, enemy observed at Casa Sillaro engaged by MMGs. Two believed killed, remainder ran away.
1 RIrF.
Bttn concentrated Florence area.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0010 C Coy Patrol to 400 yards north of Valley Farm returned to Valley Farm.
0100 Battle Patrol returns to Point 156 from Knoll, report having seen enemy movement at Point 278 and on track between Sillaro and Point 278.
0145 8 A&SH report their patrol to the river has returned.
0600 C Coy report Knoll and Gully Patrols returned. NTR. Coys report NTR.
1125 C Coy OP at Point 207 report mortar firing on 11 Brigade front. Bearing 6 degrees magnetic. Surplus
1830 CO and CO of the Buffs visit A and C Coys forward outposts.
2115 Raid alert.
2125 Six enemy seen on path in front of Sillaro House (018293 – Point 278 – 014294). One Kensington MMG at Lucca fired. Two of the enemy were hit, fell down and did not move again. Almost certainly killed. Four ran off.
2130 A/Brigadier rang re reinforcements. Will ring again tomorrow.
2 LIR – ITALY.
1030 CO’s O Group on forthcoming move forward. Bttn to relieve 56 Recce.
29th January.
Brigade HQ – L’OLMO 8578.
Quiet night. Brigade Commander and Brigadier Musson, Commander 36 Brigade, go round brigade sector and visit OP at Casa Lucca, 5 Buffs relieve 2 Innisks in right bttn sector. HQ 36 Brigade moved up during the day and, after relief of 2 Innisks was complete, took over command of the sector. Brigade HQ moved to Brigade Rest Area. HQ at L’Olmo Q 859781. 2 Innisks move back to Rivigliano Q 8482. 2 LIR relieve 56 Recce and come under command 11 Brigade.
1 RIrF.
29th to 31st January – NTR.
2 Innisks – SAN CLEMENTE.
0300 Patrol to C Coy to Valley Farm area returned. NTR.
0315 Two enemy shells fall in Bttn HQ area.
0320 Six shells fall in Bttn HQ area.
0525 Map reference of enemy who fired during the night 032244.
0540 Too bright for patrol to Point 156 going out just before 0600 hrs.
0815 Stand to.
0830 The CO took CO 5th Buffs around B Coy positions at Sasso Di Lucia.
1430 5th Buffs arrived at the de-busing area where they stayed for a meal.
1500 B Coy’s relief moved off so that they could be just behind Sasso ridge by last light. Arrangements were made for one platoon of the reserve coy’s relief to accompany the coy relieving C Coy in the right forward coy area. These were to relieve the platoon of A Coy at Point 156.
1830 Maintenance and stores vehicles came through and guided the stores vehicles of the incoming unit. Marching personnel of 5th Buffs passed Clemente cross roads.
1930 A Coy less one platoon were relieved and started off for the em-busing point of Calanca. Bttn HQ followed soon after them.
2030 There was a long wait while B and C Coys were relieved owing to the distance to be covered and also because of the icy roads. Smoke canisters were prepared for use in case the moon rose before the relief was completed. C Coy sent out its platoons as they were relieved and were all clear by 2025hrs. Taking with them the platoon of A Coy from Point 156. B Coy being the last to be relieved arrangements were made to bring up their TCVs to Clemente cross roads, thus saving a two mile walk and more important time. Special arrangements had been made with the CMP to allow our vehicles through the Scarperia pass, although it would normally be closed to all traffic after 2130 hrs. This ensured the bttn a smooth running journey and the while bttn arrived in its new area without mishap.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0900 CO’s recce party left for forward areas.
1400 Bttn em-bused ready to move.
1430 Bttn convoy moved off from Castro San Martino.
1500 CO’s recce party arrived 56 Recce positions.
1700 Bttn convoy arrived de-busing point Cuviolo 996227 and proceeded by march route to forward area.
1740 Bttn passed through San Apollinnare. Route thence along valley R Di Sassatello.
2015 Bttn HQ arrived at Casone 023257.
The treacherous condition of the track, due to snow and ice, made the going difficult, especially for the mule teams, the main body of which arrived in the forward positions around midnight. Odd mules were being brought in at various hours during the night and, in one or two cases, the mule broke a leg in falling and had to be destroyed, its load having to be manhandled up the mountainside to the forward positions.
30th January.
Brigade HQ – L’OLMO 8578.
Battalions settle in new area.
Brigade location settle:
Brigade. HQ – Q 859781.
2 Innisks. HQ – Q850821. Remainder bttn billeted in Rivigliano Q 8482.
1 RIrF. HQ – Q 848790, A Coy – Q 859813, B Coy – Q 845791, C Coy – Q 848819, D Coy – Q 843793, S Coy – Q 855783.
2 Innisks – BIVIGLIANO.
0020 Bttn was complete in its new area and guides showed everyone to their respective billets. The advance party had worked hard and all the billets had been cleaned up and made habitable. Cooks had prepared hot meals for everyone and, very soon after it arrival, the bttn was comfortable and well settled in. Reveille and breakfast were made later owing to the lateness of everyone getting to bed and the rest of the day was spent improving billets and adding small comforts.
2 LIR – ITALY.
1200 Intentions night 30/31: Routine contact patrol to 5 Northants. Out – 1130 hrs, In on completion. Standing patrol (E Coy) 1 and 6 to Casalino 036258. First dark – 2100 hrs, and 6 from Battle Patrol to gully 034267. First dark – 2230 hrs.
31st January.
Brigade HQ – L’OLMO 8578.
As the brigade is situated only a few miles from Florence, the maximum day leave to that city became effective and also seven day leave vacancies to Rome and Florence continued. Battalions organise their billets and carry out normal administrative duties
2 Innisks – BIVIGLIANO.
The day was again spent in making billets more comfortable and also providing facilities for entertainment. Officers and Sgts’ Messes were established and one house was given over to be used as a Recreation Centre. A wine bar was opened in one of the rooms and an Information Centre upstairs. Most people took advantage of the opportunity to clean up, wash clothes, write letters and generally catch up on all the things which their spell in the line had caused to be neglected.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0700 Sitrep: Patrol to Casalino in 2200 hrs. Reports no houses, only haystacks at Casalino. At approx 2100 hrs, enemy mortar and MMG DF straddled gully 100 yards short of patrol. Otherwise quiet night. NTR.
1200 Intentions night 31/1:Normal contact patrol to 5 NN at 029265 at 0315 hrs. Recce patrol 1 and 5 (Battle Patrol) to leave covering party area 034268 and recce forward to investigate Boschi 042271. Out first dark, In on completion.