{"id":13672,"date":"2025-09-03T17:17:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T17:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/?page_id=13672"},"modified":"2025-09-04T18:09:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T18:09:24","slug":"war-diaries-2-lir-may-1944","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/second-world-war\/war-diaries\/war-diaries-2-lir-may-1944\/","title":{"rendered":"War Diaries, 2 LIR \u2013 May 1944"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\n\n

1 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> CO proceeds on four days leave. Second in command assumes command of bttn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0745<\/strong> Bttn HQ and two Rifle Coys proceed to Capua for street fighting exercise and demonstration. Order of search \u2013 Bttn HQ, two assault sections of Pioneer Platoon, H and E Coys, VMGs and 3 A\/Tk guns from S Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group prior to demonstration of street fighting by 5 Buffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0915<\/strong> 1 Kensingtons demonstrate fortification of enemy strong points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> H and E Coys being attack on blocks of ruined buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1130<\/strong> Exercise ended. Coys return to bttn area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> F and G Coys proceed to Capua to repeat exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

2 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lieut JD White MC posted to 38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade HQ as Chief Liaison Officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600<\/strong> Change of password: Challenge \u2013 Jam, Answer \u2013 Tart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

3 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0630<\/strong> Bttn exercise \u2013 Assault River Crossing \u2013 Capua area. Troops involved \u2013 Bttn less essential admin personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

4 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> O Group for Exercise Medjez (with tanks) on 5 May. Major Gibbs CO for exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

5 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0715<\/strong> R Group move off to 237920.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Bttn F Group leave Pontaletone by transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Arrive in area Liberi 2491 and liaise with tanks (16\/5 Lancers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1245<\/strong> Bttn arrive at FUP. H left forward, F right forward, G right rear, E left rear supported by squadron of tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1300<\/strong> Bttn crosses Start Line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600<\/strong> Exercise ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1630<\/strong> Lecture on exercise by Major Gibbs and CO of 16\/5 Lancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> Bttn arrives back in camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> E Coy on exercise \u2013 acting as enemy for 6 Innisks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

6 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0600<\/strong> Warning Order for Battalion exercise night 6\/7 May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn R and O Groups rv 219889 at 1730 hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coy R and O Groups rv 219889 at 1800 hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platoon R and O Groups rv 219889 at 1900 hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main body leaves camp at 1900 hrs by march route to reach FUP at 2030 hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> Bttn exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> R Group move off for Bttn night exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> Bttn moves off for area of exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

7 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0100<\/strong> Bttn arrives back in camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

8 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> CO\u2019s conference on future operations and previous night exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Lieut Lyness appointed Bttn IO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

9 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1130<\/strong> Lecture on Security given by FSS Sgt to all available NCOs of bttn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group dealing with move to new divisional concentration area near Presenzano (0607). Bttn warned for probable move the following day. B Echelon to remain in present area as well as all unnecessary stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

10 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230<\/strong> Bttn advance parties leave for new concentration area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2330<\/strong> Bttn embussed ready to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

11 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0040<\/strong> Bttn move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0340<\/strong> Bttn arrive in new area. All vehicles to be camouflaged and bivouac areas set up before 0600hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1330<\/strong> Bttn parade for lecture by Divisional Commander and Brigadier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Coys advised on forthcoming operations by lectures and use of large scale and model. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

12 May\u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC announced that the 8th<\/sup> and 5th<\/sup> Armies had launched an offensive against the German Gustav Line running from Cassino to the sea. The attack began at 2300 hrs 11\/5\/44.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> CO\u2019s recce party at immediate notice to move forward. Main body of bttn at one hour\u2019s notice and bttn rear party at four hours\u2019 notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Baths at MBU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CO visits Brigade. CO\u2019s recce party now at one hour\u2019s notice and main body at four hours\u2019 notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600<\/strong> No anticipated move before 0530 hrs on 13th<\/sup>. Bttn then at four hours\u2019 notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> Brigade IO visits Bttn HQ to inform CO and Coy Commanders of latest progress by Allied Forces on the Cassino sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1945<\/strong> Brigadier visits Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

13 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> Bttn \u201coff notice\u201d to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2005<\/strong> Bttn warned for possible move forward at 0400 hrs on 14th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2045<\/strong> CO proceeds to brigade for O Group. Bttn to move at 0400 hrs on 14th<\/sup> by transport to brigade concentration area south of Monte Porchio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intention : 78 Division to move across River Rapido and attack in a  northerly direction towards Route Six, west of Cassino at first light on 15th<\/sup> and to link with the Polcorps. The Polcorps objective is Monte Trocchio (8816). 38 Brigade to lead divisional attack. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

14 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0330<\/strong> Bttn embussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0400<\/strong> 38 Brigade moved off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Order of march: 6 Innisks, 64 A\/Tk, 2 LIR, 17 Field Regiment, Brigade HQ and 1 RIrF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0715<\/strong> Bttn arrive in area 8816. Bttn established in farm 883163. Bttn HQ transport remains at brigade (892159). CO visits Brigade HQ and then proceeds to recce forming up area o far side of River Rapido accompanied by the IO and Captain Fitzgerald.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> Recce group returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> 6 Innisks move across the River Rapido.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1430<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information: 13 Corps\u2019 troops \u2013 4 Div on right, 8 Indian Div on left have gained about 2000 yards during the morning and all have held their gains except 1 RWK on right flank of 4 Division<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intention: Bttn will move to forming up area across the Rapdio by march route via Ace Route, where they will wait for the Bttn F transport. They will then move to a further concentration area. 6 Innisks on right, 2 LIR on left will attack across P Cantoni and dig in on objective when taken. Supported by Derbyshire Yeomanry, 16\/5 Lancers and 17 Field Regiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> Bttn move across Rapido via Congo Bridge (865166). Bttn HQ established at 859158.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600 <\/strong>Brigade O Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intention: 2\/4 Hampshires, supported by NZ Tank Brigade, to attack high ground 845180. 6 Innisks to go through their positions to high ground further north and 2 LIR with then go through 6 Innisks to P Cantoni. 2\/4 Hampshires to move at 1800hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Part of Bttn F Echelon arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1910<\/strong> Bttn ready to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1915<\/strong> Bttn attack postponed. Tanks supporting 2\/4 Hampshires broke bridge at 849174 and became bogged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000 <\/strong>Remainder of F Echelon arrive, together with Bttn supporting arms. CQMSs bring up hot meal for bttn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exchange of password when link up with Polcorps is made: Polcorps \u2013 Brat, 13 Corps \u2013 George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2030<\/strong> Bttn takes up all round defence positions for the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brigadier\u2019s O Group. Intention: Brigade attack with 2\/4 Hampshires to be carried out on morning 15 May, when engineers have built another bridge at 849174. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

15 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800 <\/strong>CO leaves in his carrier to recce forming up area north of stream 849174.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Intelligence Sergeant and 1 OR recce stream for crossings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information : 6 Innisks have passed through 2\/4 Hampshires and have advanced beyond their objective. 11 Brigade has crossed river Rapido. 5 Northants concentrating in area of track 855178.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Considerable enemy Nebelwerfer activity. Firing concentrations into valley west of bridge 849174.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1245<\/strong> Bttn move off by march route to concentration area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn objectives: Building 821179 and cross roads 819186.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First objective \u2013 H Coy right, F Coy left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Enemy heavy shelling and mortaring of bttn concentration area 840168 during afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1630<\/strong> CO\u2019s carrier hit. CO wounded and 3 ORs slightly wounded. CO died of wounds. Major Phillips wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> 2.i.c. goes forward to take over command of bttn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> E Coy report enemy tanks on track 829173.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn suffer heavy casualties from heavy enemy mortaring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lieut E Lovatt wounded . H and F Coys attack postponed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1940<\/strong> CO and IO go to brigade for conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enemy aircraft dive bomb area forward of H Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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16 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Bttn attack area 821179, supported by tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1100<\/strong> Enemy A\/Tk gun reported on track 8418, firing west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

H Coy (left) on objective. F coy (centre) out of touch with tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> Tanks report enemy tanks and infantry at 822168. Monkey target brought down by artillery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1400<\/strong> Derbyshire Yeomanry to go through bttn 819185.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lieut Clark and Sgt Donaldson killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1415<\/strong> Lieut Searles and Lieut O\u2019Connor wounded. Report only six men left in one platoon of H Coy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1430<\/strong> Tanks report 824167 clear of enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1830<\/strong> Tanks (Lothians) move into F Echelon area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> Enemy counter attacking from west. F Echelon take up defensive positions. Attack coming in from area Ria Piopetto 823169 with covering fire from 842170 across hill 834169 through Northants positions. Tanks take up defensive position on hill 843168, firing west and 846168, firing north west. Infantry of F Echelon in position in front of tanks at 843168.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000 <\/strong>Situation restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bttn taken all objectives. Suffered about 100 casualties. 1 RIrF move forward to concentration area to attack Fernie. Derbyshire Yeomanry in position on 38 Brigade right, 11 Brigade on left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last light Sitrep:Bttn HQ 823177. Coys 818177, 821117, 824177, 824179, 824176. There were 102 PoWs taken during course of the day from 361 PGR, 6 Coy 741 PGR, 33 A\/Tk Bttn and 114 Pnr Bttn. Four enemy SP guns and 2 Mk IV tanks knocked out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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17 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> 1 RIrF pass through bttn area to forward localities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0906 <\/strong>1 RIrF take objective. Report enemy throwing down arms and running away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Very heavy shelling of Bttn HQ farm. Three ORs on 17 pounder A\/Tk gun killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1005<\/strong> Bttn warned for move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1010 <\/strong>Enemy tank appeared in valley on left flank. Dealt with own tanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1020 <\/strong>Six prisoners of mixed enemy units arrived at Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1130<\/strong> CO\u2019s recce party forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1135<\/strong> Rifle coys move forward to defensive area 815185. Intention \u2013 to occupy area and consolidate and allow 5 Buffs to pass through at dawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1140<\/strong> 5 Buffs arrive at Bttn HQ farm. Bttn HQ moves forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230<\/strong> Bttn halted on road at 820184. Informed area 815185 cannot be occupied until 1st<\/sup> dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1300<\/strong> Bttn heavily shelled. No casualties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500 <\/strong>Coy recce groups move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> Bttn arrive in area 810185. Intermittent shelling and mortaring<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

18 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Coys sent out patrols to clear area of remaining area and gather information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General Information: Germans announce Cassino town evacuated. Poles send patrols to Cassino monastery. 4 Division cut Route Six at 840197. French take Esperia and begin outflanking movements on Adolf Hitler Line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1300<\/strong> Brigadier visits Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1815<\/strong> Draft of approximately 50 reinforcements arrive at Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> CO proceeds to Brigade Tac HQ for conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group. Bttn warned for move to area 783193.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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19 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0500<\/strong> CO\u2019s recce parry proceeds forward to recce route and positions in new area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0630<\/strong> Bttn move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0830<\/strong> Move completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0930<\/strong> Bttn HQ and coy positions heavily shelled for 20 minutes. Two ORs of bttn and 2 RA wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1030<\/strong> CO, IO and Coy Commanders recce bttn area. Coys established in position at 779206, 778 205, 778204, 783205. Periodic shelling of bttn area. Bttn Tac HQ in farmhouse 779200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group dealing with bttn all round protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100<\/strong> Bttn area and approach routes shelled intermittently. No casualties. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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20 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group. Information: Polish troops fighting in Piedimonte. 2 LFs at 763203 and 1 East Surreys at 755195.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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21 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Warning order for bttn to move back to area 810185 on being  relieved by 56 Recce, night 21\/22 May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1100<\/strong> Lieut Barker proceeds with advance party to new area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> 56 Recce advance party arrives at Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> Lieut Barker reports no room in area 810185. CO decides to move coys back to rear of Bttn HQ on their relief by 56 Recce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1800<\/strong> Relief commenced. Bttn HQ moves back to farm 783195. Casualties from shelling during day \u2013 four killed and four wounded. One Coy Commander\u2019s jeep destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

22 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Canadian tank regiment liaison officer arrives at Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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23 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing to Report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intentions: Canadians to smash Adolf Hitler line at Pontecorvo followed by 11 Brigade with 38 (Irish) Brigade as exploiting troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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24 May\u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> Information: Canadians make a breach in Hitler Line above Pontecorvo. 11 Brigade occupied Aquino night 23 May without opposition. 1 Moroccan Division in possession of San Giovanni, west of Pontecorvo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Bttn warned for probable move forward by TCVs in afternoon or evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1345<\/strong> Brigadier Scott visits Bttn HQ for conference re future operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100<\/strong> Bttn warned for move forward at 0730 25 May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information: Canadians reach River Melfa, 5 miles beyond Adolf Hitler Line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

25 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0700<\/strong> CO and IO proceed to Brigade HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0730<\/strong> Bttn ready to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0900<\/strong> Bttn at 3 hours notice to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1100<\/strong> Bttn at immediate notice as from 1600 hrs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100<\/strong> Enemy aircraft bomb forward and rear positions over wide area. Own casualties \u2013 3 killed, 4 wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

26 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0600<\/strong> Bttn embussed for move forward. Order of march \u2013 E, G, F Coys, Bttn HQ, H and S Coys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0830<\/strong> Bttn arrive harbouring area 718232. At 2 hours notice to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2000<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group. Bttn at \u00bd hour\u2019s notice as from 0630 hrs 27 May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

27 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0830<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information: 6 Armoured Division attacking Arce. 38 (Irish) Brigade to attack Ceprano. Brigade order of battle: 1 RIrF with 1 squadron of tanks, 2 LIR with 1 squadron of tanks, followed by Brigade Tac HQ, 6 Innisks in reserve. Canadians later reported in Ceprano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> Bttn move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1830<\/strong> Bttn arrive area wood 658272.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> Intelligence Section move forward with 1 RIrF on recce of forward routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100<\/strong> Bttn ordered to consolidate in present area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

28 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> Information: Guards Brigade capture features Monte Piccolo and Monte Grande morning 28 May, but we forced to evacuate them owing to enemy pincer movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1600<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group. Bttn warned for move forward at first dark. Intention: 1 RIrF to occupy area river bend 5927 beyond Ceprano. 2 LIR to push through them up Route Six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2100<\/strong> Bttn move postponed to first light 29 May. E and G Coys take up flanking positions to protect tanks (3 Hussars).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

29 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0630<\/strong> Bttn move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Order of march \u2013 R Group, R Group vehicles, Bttn HQ and O Group, E, G, F, H and S Coys, one squadron of 3 Hussars, Kensington Support Group, RAP, Wheeled vehicles to follow if possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0920<\/strong> Bttn arrive in area 597272<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0955<\/strong> Bttn move forward to take over 1 RIrF area 593277. 1 RIrF to move forward to cut Strangolagalli \u2013 Ripi road. Bttn intention \u2013 to move up on left flank of 1 RIrF when road is out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1200<\/strong> F Coy move forward to pt 207 (573299) to cover left forward move of 1 RIrF. 6 Innisks move into F Coy\u2019s vacated area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1640<\/strong> Bttn HQ moves forward to farm 586293. E Coy move forward to occupy pt 255 (553312). Pioneers, protected by Battle Patrol, went forward to minesweep in bttn area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1730<\/strong> Battle Patrol and Pioneers return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1930<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2030<\/strong> Tac HQ moves forward to 586293. E Coy report MG and rifle opposition on pt 255. Withdraw and call for Uncle target on point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

30 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0005\u20130027<\/strong> Artillery barrage on pt 255 preceding E Coy\u2019s occupation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0030<\/strong> CQMSs arranging hot meal for coys. Direct route forward impassable for vehicles. Difficulty finally overcome by proceeding along Route Six from which track led to pt 255.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0100<\/strong> Brigadier issued rough outline of brigade activities. 36 Brigade now known to be making progress on left flank in Ripi area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0600<\/strong> Main Bttn HQ move forward from 553312 to Tac HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0735<\/strong> Main Bttn HQ arrive at Tac HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0945<\/strong> Tac HQ and coys move forward. Intention \u2013 tactical infiltration towards Ripi as far as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1030<\/strong> Brigadier visits Main Bttn HQ. Information \u2013 Indians north of Strangolagalli. Canadians pushing on to Frosinone. 36 Brigade, with 2 bttns forward, moving along axis of Route 6 with right swing up to Ripi. French troops reported to making good progress south of Route 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1100<\/strong> Intention: Bttn objective \u2013 Ripi. F, G and H Coys forward, E Coy in reserve. Rounds: F Coy 546318 (Claret), H Coy 540321 (Gin), G Coy 536236 (Port). Combined \u2013 531331 (Brandy), 528335 (Whisky), Ripi (Sherry).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1230<\/strong> One coy encountered minefield. Gap soon cleared and coys passed through to assembly in valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1320<\/strong> Coys move forward from assembly area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1415<\/strong> F Coy reported on Claret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1416<\/strong> Brigade report 6 unidentified tanks at 518335.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1430<\/strong> Tac HQ moves to Claret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1440<\/strong> E Coy move on to Claret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1450<\/strong> Left flanking units (36 Brigade) reach Brandy. Brigadier orders 2 LIR to halt when Brandy reached to avoid confusion. Tac HQ being shelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1500<\/strong> E Coy report on Gin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1515<\/strong> E Coy report small arms firing on their right flank and ask for supporting tanks to deal with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1615<\/strong> G Coy reported on Port. Another coy moving up to help consolidate and a 3rd<\/sup> coy moving to the rear of Port in an endeavour to trap any remaining enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1700<\/strong> Own tanks approaching Brandy. Enemy SP gun and enemy tank reported 1500 yards south west of Ripi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1710<\/strong> Brigadier orders bttn to fix limit of advance for night at Whisky and to send patrols forward to Ripi. Warns that village might possibly be occupied by advanced right flanking troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1820<\/strong> CO asks permission to move on to Ripi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1900<\/strong> Brandy reported occupied at 1800 hrs. Battle confused. CO asks for one hour to straighten things up before moving onto Whisky. Estimate of 12 prisoners take. Own casualties \u2013 8 wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2140<\/strong> Whisky captured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2150<\/strong> CQMSs arrive with meals for bttn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ripi believed occupied by right flanking troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

31 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0800<\/strong> 6 Innisks pass through bttn and proceed beyond Ripi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0830<\/strong> Brigadier visits Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1000<\/strong> Civilians report approximately one bttn of German infantry counter attacking area of 6 Innisks\u2019 right flank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2200<\/strong> Reports of enemy counter attack proved unfounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 May \u2013 IN THE FIELD (ITALY). 0700 CO proceeds on four days leave. Second in command assumes command of bttn. 0745 Bttn HQ and two Rifle Coys proceed to Capua for street fighting exercise and demonstration. Order of search \u2013 Bttn HQ, two assault sections of Pioneer Platoon, H and E Coys, VMGs and 3 A\/Tk […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":13610,"menu_order":17,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13672","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13672","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13672"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13672\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13673,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13672\/revisions\/13673"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londonirishrifles.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}