6 Innisks \u2013 CAPRACOTTA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMule train to A Coy at Pescopenntaro still held up owing to the depth of the snow drifts. The patrol that had left Castel del Guidre at 1630hrs 31 December had still not returned. A ration truck from B Echelon became snowed up when only two kilometres from Capracotta, and the driver after some difficulty, was able to get into the village to report the whereabouts of his vehicle. The weather remained fine but cold and rum was issued at night. Oil, low cost test was used on weapons and anti freeze and graphite grease available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n1500<\/strong> Standing patrols established on perimeter at all entrances to village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1800 <\/strong>Commanding Officer\u2019s orders:- orders for defence of Montenero given out and alarm posts to be manned. Congratulated Captain Danloy commanding the Belgian Commandos on the excellent and cheery way they assisted the companies in from the hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpecial Order of the day by General D W Eisenhower on his leaving the Mediterranean theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n <\/strong>2nd January<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\nBrigade HQ \u2013 FORLI DEL SANNIO.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNo snow fell during the night. Work on roads progressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
0645<\/strong> 2 LIR recce patrol to 044475 and 032462. No contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1310<\/strong> One coy 2 LF arrives at Forli. Enemy shelled at Castel di Sangro during the afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNo casualties. Operational Instruction HQ REME 78 Division No 50 regarding inspection of small arms received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 RIrF.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n1100<\/strong> Line communications to coys open.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDay spent clearing mule track to A Coy using available troops in Rionero and civilian labour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1500<\/strong> Rations to A Coy (2 days) and B and D Coys (1 days) by mule, thus supplying all till incl 4 Jan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1700<\/strong> Road back from Rionero now cleared by bulldozer which moves through town to tackle road forward from Rionero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1745<\/strong> Two coys 2 LF leave Castel Di Sangro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2100<\/strong> Coys 2 LF from Castel Di Sangro reach Rionero and after meal and rest leave by TCV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2300<\/strong> Depth of R. Sangro 4ft 9ins. Defensive patrols by forward coys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6 Innisks \u2013 CAPRACOTTA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n1000<\/strong> Daylight brought no further news of the patrol, which went to Castel del Guidre and a patrol of one Polish officer and two civilians went out, on skis, to try to locate them. They failed to do so, as wind had caused the snow to cover the tracks they had made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1100<\/strong> An attempt was made by another ski party to get through to Pescopennataro; this party succeeded. A further ski party, composed of civilians (16) went out to the snow bound ration truck, two kilos away taking with them their big ruck sacks, which hold fourteen loaves and making two journeys, they were able to be able to bring in the complete load. All available men were employed throughout the day in digging, communication paths; platoons to coy HQ and coys to Bttn HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0800<\/strong> Weather cleared up during the night. Visibility good. Weather fine and clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n0545<\/strong> Patrol from Belgian Commandos goes out to nearby hills at 040415 for local protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n0800<\/strong> One Platoon H Company goes out with mules to bring in remaining 4.2\u201d mortars from their positions on the hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1000<\/strong> Commanding Officer\u2019s Orders:- gives out in detail his orders for the defence of Montenero.<\/p>\n\n\n\nF Company to take up positions north of the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
G Company cover Eastern approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
H Company cover Western approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
E Company and Belgian commandos as a mobile column.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1300<\/strong> G Company patrol leaves<\/p>\n\n\n\n1345<\/strong> Patrols from E and F companies leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1600 <\/strong>G Company patrol reports in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1630<\/strong> E Company patrols reports in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1800<\/strong> Commanding Officer\u2019s Orders for operation next day:- F & E Companies to go out to salvage stores. Belgian commandos to destroy (illegible section). Protection patrol out first light to nearby surrounding hills to be known as the Dawn Patrol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1930<\/strong> Three Italian agents report in. Gave little information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMachine gun posts pinpointed and gave general impression that enemy was on the ground south of the Sangro and equally impeded by the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Italian labour was impressed during the day to clear road of snow from Montenero to Rd June 076497.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n3rd January<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\nBrigade HQ \u2013 FORLI DEL SANNIO.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNo enemy activity during the day. Roads clearing and snow melting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1130<\/strong> GOC 78 Division arrived at Brigade HQ, proceeded with Brigade Commander to Rionero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1 RIrF.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0600<\/strong> Bulldozer stuck in drift 2 miles forward of Rionero. No line communication to forward coys. Lines probably cut by bulldozer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1400<\/strong> Line communication with A Coy<\/p>\n\n\n\n1530 \u2013 1600<\/strong> Enemy shelled road junction 0748 \u2013 sixteen shells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2100<\/strong> C Coy less one platoon (already at road junction 0749) relieved A Coy, which went into reserve at Rionero. Detachment Carrier Platoon (dismounted) reinforced B, C, D Coys. Two days rations to B and D Coys. Bulldozer was dug out and worked all night accompanied by working party with shovels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6 Innisks \u2013 CAPRACOTTA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0830 <\/strong>Liaison officer from Troop 10 Polish Commandos, and a Polish Sergeant started out with a mule to try to get supplies to Pescopennataro by this means. This was not found possible as the high wind had caused the snow to drift too deeply for mules to get through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1030<\/strong> Cpl Key, one of the last patrol, came into town accompanied by the people from the farm, where he and three other members of the patrol had taken shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1100<\/strong> Polish officer and Sergeant set off again for A Coy on their own, and got through on their skis \u2013 A Coy reported that their digging progress had taken through one and a half miles from the Agnone road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1500<\/strong> Tasks were allotted to coys for clearing road to Capracotta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0830<\/strong> E & F Companies go out to original positions in Alto and Calvario to salvage stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPatrol of 1 Officer and 30 men from Belgian Commandos leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1115 <\/strong>Five shells at eastern outskirts of Montenero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1130<\/strong> Platoon of F Company report their area being shelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1245<\/strong> F Company reports mortaring on hill slope to left flank of Alto. Companies believe they have been spotted by the enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1400<\/strong> Road from Montenero cleared of snow as far as 100478.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1415<\/strong> Belgian Commando patrol reports in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1630<\/strong> All companies in Montenero. All stores from E & F companies brought in except tentage. F Company two casualties because of shellfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1800 <\/strong>CO\u2019s Orders:- for operation tomorrow:<\/p>\n\n\n\nG Company to old position on Il Monte to salvage stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perimeter protection as usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Road clearance to continue all night with Italian labour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Convoy protection tonight from Belgian Commandos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2000<\/strong> Mule convoy with supplies arrives in Montenero. Road not cleared in time but mules got through OK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n4th January<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\nBrigade HQ \u2013 FORLI DEL SANNIO.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0005 <\/strong>C Coy 1 RIrF report accidental killing one and wounding one of Belgian Troop 10 Commando, who were on patrol in their area and whose activities were suspicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n0645<\/strong> Road situation much improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1020<\/strong> Twenty shells landed in Montenero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1255<\/strong> Enemy patrol 30 strong observed area Montenero.<\/p>\n\n\n\nArea 049434 shelled by 138 Field Regiment, RA and again at 1600hrs when patrol re-crossed River Sangro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Direction on Snow Clearance Policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 RIrF.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0400<\/strong> Bulldozer having cleared to within 1000 yards of road junction 0749 returned to Rionero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n0900<\/strong> Visit by Brigade Commander. Artillery policy:- Owing to nature of ground enemy and own guns sited well back and generally unable to reach each other. Artillery duel likely to take form of mutual shelling of each other\u2019s infantry positions. To discourage this, our guns will NOT shell enemy infantry positions except when movement is observed. Whenever enemy shells our infantry positions or what they may think to be our positions, our guns will reply on known enemy localities at rate<\/p>\n\n\n\n1000<\/strong> Arranged with gunners that when enemy shell our positions we will call for Strafe One \u2013 on Scontrone 0349 by 502 Field Battery; Strafe Two \u2013 on Rocca Cinquemiglia 0956 by 112 Med Battery<\/p>\n\n\n\n1206<\/strong> Enemy shelled 088534 (seven rounds). Strafe Two fired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1730<\/strong> Bulldozer renewed snow clearance and cleared up to road junction 0749.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2000<\/strong> Rations by mule to B and D Coys \u2013 4 days. Rations by MT to C Coy \u2013 6 days. Routine defensive patrols by forward coys to watch approaches and test depth of R. Sangro (5ft).<\/p>\n\n\n\n6 Innisks \u2013 CAPRACOTTA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0730<\/strong> Digging parties left for allotted tasks. This proved to be a difficult job as the wind was constantly causing the snow to drift back, into the channels being dug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1000<\/strong> Six Italians left Capracotta for B Echelon, at Agnone, with dispatches. These men returned in the evening carrying rations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0515<\/strong> Dawn Patrol from H Company to Rocky Hill and Top Point 0443.<\/p>\n\n\n\n0800<\/strong> G Company go out to Il Monte. E Company to Steep Hill 043438 in immediate support. F Company to take up additional positions on wooded saddle 040455.<\/p>\n\n\n\n0910<\/strong> Ten shells land on track 044446 as G Company pass this point. As shelling was so accurate, patrol from Belgian Commandos dispatched to Marsucci to observe and find out whether enemy OP is established there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1230<\/strong> Commando patrol observes enemy, strength about 1 company on top of Marsucci 0547. DF fire brought down scatters enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1630<\/strong> Five shells on outskirts of village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1930<\/strong> CO\u2019s O Group: all companies now in Montenero. Convoy expected through tonight with rations and supplies. Plan for protection bigger than usual as enemy who was in Marsucci during early afternoon might have disappeared in area of Bifurcation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nH Company to 056466 Belgian Commandos to go through and clear area west of road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2040<\/strong> Mule convoy report in. No interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2100<\/strong> Companies go out to positions. Same area. RTR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n5th January<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\nBrigade HQ \u2013 FORLI DEL SANNIO.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNo enemy activity during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1515<\/strong> Brigade Commander to Rionero to visit 1 RIrF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n78 Division Operational Instruction No 6 received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Protective patrols in bttn areas by night. Roads now usable, snow threatens but situation under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Owing to snow and blizzard during our relief of 11 Infantry Brigade and roads becoming impassable, the ration situation became acute by 1 January. Forward areas had doubled their strengths and reserves soon ran very low. Until the roads could be cleared the only communication was by mule. The mule situation was also difficult owing to the changeover of 573 Pack Company with 2 Italian Pack Company. After 3 nights work \u2013 day work was not possible in the forward areas as the enemy overlooked the whole area \u2013 roads forward were cleared for jeeps and portees and 7 days rations were delivered to forward areas. All available personnel were put on snow clearance, including Italian civilians. Strict traffic control was enforced as the roads were only cleared sufficiently for single way traffic. To prevent any further difficulty, it was decided that all forward areas should hold 14 days reserve \u2013 later increased to 21 days. Forward troops were not equipped for snow warfare. They had only one battledress and boots do not stand up to snow for very long. A request for 78 Division was put forward for a supply of snow clothing. Evacuation of casualties was mainly by sledge or mules fitted with cacolets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 RIrF.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0100 <\/strong>Blizzard starts again. All roads and tracks covered by dawn. Line communications to forward coys and brigade constantly broken during day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1730<\/strong> Impossible to get rations forward to forward coys. Routine patrols during night by forward coys. R. Sangro 4ft 9ins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6 Innisks \u2013 CAPRACOTTA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0730 <\/strong>Three Intelligence Sections set out to mark route of mule track to Pescopennataro but this was not possible as snow was falling and wind was at gale force cutting visibility to nil. Owing to this bad weather, the digging tasks allotted to coys had to be postponed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1100<\/strong> A civilian from a farm near Castel del Guidre came into Capracotta to report the finding of Sergeant Sullivan (Patrol leader of the patrol 30\/31 December), who had died from exposure. He was found sitting in a drift and tracks indicated that he had crawled the least two or three kilometres before he died. Snow continued to fall all day and in the afternoon the snowfall increased and the temperature dropped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0030<\/strong> Companies report visibility reduced to 30 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n0300<\/strong> Two parties arrive with supplies. Road now cleared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n0645<\/strong> Dawn Patrol from G Company<\/p>\n\n\n\n0800<\/strong> F Company sent out 2 platoons to 057487.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1100<\/strong> Transport with supplies expected through at 1300.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1230<\/strong> Battle Patrol in jeeps to high ground half way along Montenero road.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOne platoon H Company to 003470 for convoy protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1600<\/strong> Snowing slightly all day. Road now blocked. No transport coming through. Troops withdrawn. Night protection \u2013 perimeter posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1800<\/strong> CO\u2019s orders for operations 6th. To build patrol base on Marsucci 0547 with strong protection out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2230<\/strong> E Company Patrol returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n6th<\/strong> January<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\nBrigade HQ \u2013 FORLI DEL SANNIO.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSlight snow fall during the night and road to bifurcation became temporarily impassable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1000<\/strong> House to house search of Acquaviva by personnel of Brigade HQ and 88 FSS. A number of undesirables evacuated from the area. No enemy activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1 RIrF.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBlizzard continues. Bulldozer clearing road from rear to Rionero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1800<\/strong> Weather clears. Frost. Routine patrols by forward coys. R. Sangro 4ft 9ins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6 Innisks \u2013 CAPRACOTTA.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0730 <\/strong>Twelve to eighteen inches of snow fell during the night of 5\/6. Snow continued to fall throughout the day, and the bttn went onto rations owing to the reserve getting low, and the difficulty of getting further supplies in under present conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2330<\/strong> A house caught fire, starting from the chimney, personnel from C Coy and Bttn HQ were called out to assist in putting it out. Investigations showed that the enemy, before evacuating Capracotta, had poured pitch into chimneys of a number of the houses so that fires would occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2 LIR.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n0645<\/strong> Dawn Patrol from G Company to local hills. Snowing hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n0800<\/strong> E Company to Marsucci. H Company to Twin Tit 057467.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCO & IO with Pioneers and stores follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1430<\/strong> Companies return to Montenero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1800<\/strong> Snow clears. Visibility clears. Road cleared for \u00be mile. CO\u2019s verbal orders for operations tomorrow. F Company to observe enemy positions from Marsucci 0547.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n7th January<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\nBrigade HQ \u2013 FORLI DEL SANNIO.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nRoads clear \u2013 little snow fell during the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1230<\/strong> CRA visited Brigade HQ to meet Brigade Commander and CO 138 Field Regiment, RA, on return from their recce at Cerro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1710<\/strong> Two American aircraft dropped supplies by parachute, intended for San Pietro on the enemy side of the River Sangro near Castel di Sangro. No enemy activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n