One of Many

The Story Of 46 Division during WW2

Detailed Account (Second) Italian Campaign

Hitler & Gustav Line

In early August hard battles were fought towards Florence, and the Polish had captured Ancona. On August 10^th 46 division became part of 5 Corps, and with the Canadian 1 Corps, were ordered to concentrate behind the Polish 2 Corps with the intention of breaking through the German Adriatic defences, and entering the Po Valley. The plan of General Keightley was to advance through the more hilly country with 5 Corps, having 4 Indian division on the left and 46 division on the right flank, and break through the Gothic Line, which followed the line of the river Foglia, about 12 miles north of the Metauro. Monte Gridolfo was the objective of 46 Division, and the enemy was using the natural defences of the terrain along with extensive minefields, plus concrete and wire obstacles. The speed of the attack was vital and the momentum had to be maintained with infantry and armour by day and fresh infantry by night. On the 24^th the division moved up to San Ippolito and Isola di Fano and at 23:00 the crossing of the Metauro began. By the 28^th 12 miles was covered over extremely arduous terrain.

Viewed from Colbordolo the Gothic Line presented a formidable sight. The first ridge with Monte Vecchio stood 500ft above the river, and behind a higher ridge with Mondaino at the peak. Minefields had been laid at the lower reaches of the river and trees and houses cleared to give a line of fire for the German defences. On the 30^th both 128 and 139 brigades were ordered to cross the Foglia, The battle was extremely arduous with heavy machine gun and artillery fire, here exploits of individuals resulted in the first Victoria Cross awarded to 46 Division and a DCM among the honours. By the early hours of 1^st September Monte Gridolfo was taken giving the gunners an extensive range, and view enabling artillery support for other units.

Further advances through the line resulted in 139 brigade being firmly established in the village of Cevolabbete by 4^th and despite the German command rushing up reinforcements which prevented allied tanks progressing further than the infantry, the 46 division entrenched position held strong. In these positions the division was relieved on the 5^th September ending the battle of the Gothic Line perhaps the greatest triumph in the divisions history. The Gothic Line was important, and had been rushed before it could be fully manned by the enemy. If the enemy were to continue to hold the Northern Plain of Italy, it would have to do it in the winter, without a previously prepared defensive line. The division was now rested near Morciano and Saludecio.

On 9^th September 46 division was again ordered to relieve 56 division along the hills of Gemmano and Coriano. Heavy rain had fallen for two days so preventing armoured divisions breaking through, due to rapidly rising rivers and washed out bridges. The enemy had rushed more divisions and artillery from Bologna front to reinforce their defences, and were holding their positions strongly. Gemmano was a large outstanding ridge south of the river Conca, on this main ridge were many hills and dips with achieved notoriety in the fighting. During the 11^th enemy shelling increased and fierce fighting occurred in attacks and counter attacks on hill 449 in this range. The fighting in this area north of the Gothic Line was very difficult, with heavy losses mainly due to artillery and mortar fire. The enemy had the advantage of excellent observation, and copied our methods of heavy artillery concentration. September 1944 resulted in the heaviest artillery and mortar fire experienced in the Italian campaigns. On the 21^st September Verucchio overlooking the river Marecchia was occupied by the Foresters.

With the division now facing the Marecchia, this rapid advancing phase of the campaign ended. The advance continued but not at the same fierce pace. During the rapid advance through the Gothic Line a great strain had been placed on the R.A.S.C., who had to move their forward dumps with every advance made. Drivers with long distances to cover on narrow winding roads, which up to the time had only carried oxen drawn carts and perhaps the occasional car, never failed to deliver their loads on time.

Since Monte Gridolfo infantry casualties required the need of replacements, and at the same time battalions were reorganized on a three-company basis. This change had a marked effect on the tactics, reducing the staying power and capacity of a battalion. The weather also was forcing a change in the character of the fighting. Heavy rain flooded valleys and streams became raging torrents washing out bridges. Heavy mud made tank use impossible, and vehicles became bogged down. The enemy now acted on the threat to their Northern Italy stronghold, and instead of the two divisions and two held in reserve, they now placed nine divisions on to this 30-mile front. Artillery was increasingly used by the enemy to harass any attacks that were held up on the river line waiting for the waters to subside, and supply routes to be established through the axle deep mud of tracks and roads. The attacks slowed and followed a similar pattern due to the weather. When the river did reduce enough a night attack was made to form and hold a bridgehead, and get a bridge built before dawn if possible. Supplies and rations then had to be ferried and casualties withdrawn, in the endless rain and mud.

On the 20^th October after heavy fighting, the enemy had withdrawn across the Savio, having blown all the bridges in the night, and the Durham's entered the town of Cesena.

The division now went for a 10-day period of rest. During this last two month period of fighting, 46 division had achieved the following : -

Engaged and defeated 5 German divisions.

Sixty 'straight-line' miles covered.

Crossed ten rivers most in the face of

heavy resistance, and appalling weather.

Taken 2000 prisoners.

General Keightley commander of 5 Corps sent a message, as 46 division came out of the line.

" I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating you most sincerely on your brilliant successes in the fighting of the last few months"

" Throughout this phase of the battle Italy, which has resulted in forcing the enemy through the much publicized Gothic Line, 46 Division has been engaged in all the toughest and the most bitter actions. Throughout all your operations your commanders have shown skill in leadership and your troops the greatest gallantry."

Perhaps the finest tribute came from the Commander of the Canadian Corps.

"I think if ever a Division has earned the title of ' The Iron Division' 46 Division has"

On the 31^st October the order came to move, and attack Forli with 4 British Division.

In the early hours of 12^th November the Montone river was crossed by the Lincoln's plus the KOYLI, and the village of Terre del Sole captured. The bridge though damaged, was later sufficiently repaired to allow trucks to cross. Our artillery countered artillery fire from the enemy 26 Panzer division, and by morning a squadron of tanks were across. The advance began and by the 14^th, 2 Hampshire's moved into Forli where there was still occasional shelling.

When relief was completed to depleted units, the push forward began again, to cross the Cosina River, along the stretch of the canal where it flowed in an east- west direction. The capture of Castiglione was the first requirement, and on the 20^th November after an air bombardment and artillery attack it was taken by infantry of the Leicester's. Despite heavy enemy counter attacks the situation was contained by a Polish attack on the left. A crossing of the Marenzo had been forced 3 miles south of Faenza, and this overcrowded bridgehead was constantly under artillery fire. Four or five enemy tanks blocked the advance, and our own tanks attempting to manoeuvre around them got bogged down in the mud as soon as they left the road. Between the Marenzo and Lamone rivers there was only one narrow road and in places this became a track. The main roads run alongside the rivers. This secondary road was secured after several small but difficult encounters. 46 division, 128 brigade moved down to the Lamone and when patrols crossed the river, they were met with strong machine gun and mortar fire.

Heavy rain held up hopes of crossing, as the river was in flood, and for a week preparations continued with heavy traffic on the narrow road all night and most of the day. Some of the RASC drivers took eighteen hours and more to complete the twenty-mile supply circuits. Bridging equipment and tanks continued being assembled at the bridgehead in readiness.

On the 28^th November 139 Brigade was ordered south to an unknown destination (Greece) and 169 Brigade of 56 Division took up position in front of Faenza. Brigadier Kendrew had the task of making a bridgehead from Olmatallo on the right to Casa Poggio on the left and to further extend it north to Pideura. The plan was for a two battalion crossing, but as two immense craters blocked the main road beyond the Lamone, 3 bridges would need to be built before supplies could be brought forward. Careful plans were made to cover this barren period while the building was in progress.

On the evening 3^rd December a barrage of artillery fire began the assault. The going was slow over the slippery steep hillsides, but just before dawn Olmatello was captured. There was a problem capturing Casa Balassa as the enemy held the ridge beyond, and it was not possible to deploy on such a narrow front. A bridge was completed over the river by evening, but at Olmatello 40 men had to man handle a Littlejohn anti-tank gun up the steep hillside. Everything had to be brought up by hand including water, as there were no wells. Casa Poggio was occupied on the 5^th, advances were made, and on the 6^th with tanks in support Casa Nova was captured.

The 8^th December with General Weir commanding, saw heavy shelling by the enemy along the whole front. The 2^nd New Zealand Division reported considerable enemy movement north of Faenza, and heavy rain was beginning to threaten the river bridges. The enemy opened the day on the 9^th with an unparalleled bombardment. Reports of heavy counter attacks came in from along the whole front with Celle being the main centre. After heavy fighting and intense Allied artillery support that swamped every enemy penetration, the advance by the German 90^th Light was repulsed. Enemy aircraft made a now rare visit on the 10^th and did considerable damage in Forli. At 19:00 on the 11^th December 46 Division was relieved and went for a period of rest.

This ended the 46 Division's part in the Second Italian Campaign. The last 4 months had seen heavy battles both fought and won, obstacles overcome, and extreme hardships endured in the following actions.

The headlong rush through the Gothic Line.

The deadly struggle for Gemmano, Monte Colombo, and Montescudo.

The scramble across the Marecchia.

The shelling on Montilgallo.

Cesena.

Forli.

Casina Canal.

The hard slow battle for Faenza.

The division had advanced more than eighty miles, fighting all the way. Eighteen rivers had been crossed. Nine German divisions had been severely mauled. Nearly 300 prisoners taken. In these accomplishments seventy Bailey bridges were built; one hundred and forty craters had to be filled, and nearly one thousand miles of road had to be swept of mines.

During October 1944 eight inches of rain was recorded, and during November this increased to nine.

The cost to the division was over four thousand casualties. Sixty-eight officers and six hundred and twenty four men killed.

The division moved south to Ancona on the Adriatic coast. No training was expected before Christmas and it was the best Christmas of the war. After Christmas training started.