War Diaries – 21st to 25th February 1945
21st February
Brigade HQ – FORLI 4316.
Individual training by 1 RIrF and 2 LIR.
Coy in attack by 2 Innisks.
1 RIrF – FORLI 4515.
Kangaroo exercise by coys to familiarise and acquaint with difficulties of control.
2 Innisks – FORLI.
0800 Three officers and three NCOs per coy left bttn area for a short demonstration exercise with Kangaroos. Remainder of the bttn continued normal training.
0900 Exercise at Kangaroo Park in Forli was preceded by a 20 minute lecture by the Commander. Describing capabilities and inter comm. This was the first time most of us had seen a Kangaroo as such (It is a Sherman tank with the turret off and the unnecessary fitments taken off making it capable of carrying 9 men).
0930 Kangaroos then went out, each bttn group representing a platoon and short tasks were given over the air, so that the infantry could see the method of passing on orders and getting to an objective.
1130 Exercise finished.
1300 A large number of the bttn attended the 8th Army race meeting at Cesena.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0830 CO, IO, RSM and coy representatives proceeded on lecture and practical demonstration of Control of Kangaroos (Troop carrying tanks).
1800 CO’s O Group held on Kangaroo Exercise and details arranged for the four rifle coys to do an exercise with Kangaroos on morning of the 22nd.
Regimental Canteen opened for Bttn ORs.
The Bttn Commander, Lt Col HEN Bredin DSO MC relinquished his post at 78 Division HQ returned to the battalion and proceeded on leave to Rome. Major JD Stewart carried on as temporary CO.
22nd February
Brigade HQ – FORLI 4316.
Coy and individual training by all battalions. Capt Foley 1 LIR talks with to 2 Innisks on street fighting and general experiences gained in fighting in the present Plain.
1 RIrF – FORLI 4515.
Discussion with Lt Foley (1 LIR) of lessons learnt in the fighting on the plain.
2 Innisks – FORLI.
Normal training continued and Coy Commanders went out to field training areas to arrange exercises.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0900 Rifle coys proceeded on Kangaroo Exercise.
1800 Capt W Gentle assumed duties of Adjutant in place of Capt G Cole, who proceeded to hospital. Lt MC Murphy assumed duties of IO.
23rd February
Brigade HQ – FORLI 4316.
Coy and individual training.
Capt Foley lectures to 2 LIR on the same subject. 2 Innisks held a battalion cross country run.
1 RIrF – FORLI 4515.
Bttn rifle range at Meldola in daily use.
Provision of targets being greatest difficulty.
2 Innisks – FORLI.
0800 Coys in turn carried out small exercises on Kangaroos. The exercises lasted about one hour and were designed mainly to illustrate the use of Kangaroos and to accustom the men to them prior to a larger exercise in which they are to be used. Two subalterns of 2 Innisks start a four day attachment to the Desert Air Force to study their method of working etc and one pilot of the Desert Air Force was attached to us for the same period and for the same purpose.
1700 All officers went to Brigade HQ to hear a lecture by a Canadian Coy Commander on his experiences of fighting in this type of country and particularly of the peculiarities of the rivers and the methods used in crossing them. Enemy tactics in holding these river lines were also discussed.
1930 Major Blake MC and five other officers were invited to Divisional HQ to a party held in their ‘B’ Mess.
2 LIR – ITALY.
1700 Lecture by Lt Foley of 1 LIR to bttn officers and coy representatives on type of fighting which the bttn might expect in future operations on the Lombardy Plain.
Consequent on this lecture, the CO pointed out to Coy Commanders that 2” mortar and PIAT training as well as mine detecting was to be impressed on all ranks.
24th February
Brigade HQ – FORLI 4316.
Route march by 2 Innisks. 2 LIR and 1 RIrF carry out coy and individual training.
Major Horsey (C&Y) talked to all officers of the Brigade Group on the subject of River Crossings based on his experiences of the crossing of the River Lamone.
1 RIrF – FORLI 4515.
Training Instruction No 2 issued.
2 Innisks – FORLI.
0900 C Coy Commander Major J Duane MC went out with the CRA to recce a plan re Divisional exercise which is intended to take place shortly. Coys continued normal training in the mornings and organised games was the main programme in the afternoon.
1930 WOs and Sgts organised a dance to which all the Bttn Officers were invited and Sgts from other units in the brigade. The Sgts spared nothing in their efforts to make the party a success and the reputation of the Sgts’ Mess was maintained. WOs and Sgts of the Regiment at present held at No 2 CRU were not forgotten and a large number attended.
2350 There was an accident outside the bttn billet when Sgt Phillips of A Coy was knocked down and seriously injured by a truck while crossing the road.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0900 E and G Coys proceeded on street fighting exercise at Casetti 6402, followed by a demonstration of the Wasp flame thrower by Lt Neale (Bttn MG Officer).
0930 AIA began inspection of all bttn weapons.
1400 F and H Coys proceeded on street fighting exercise at Casetti.
1715 Coy Commanders and S Coy platoon representative proceeded to Bttn HQ for lecture on river crossing.
25th February
Brigade HQ – FORLI 4316.
Coy and individual training by all battalions.
Brigade Commander lunches at Main 8th Army.
1 RIrF – FORLI 4515.
Orders re TEWT and exercise at Calisese.
2 Innisks – FORLI.
0930 A church parade was held for RCs and the parade was headed by the Regimental Pipe Band.
1100 A lecture was given at the Oak cinema for three officers and three NCOs from each coy, the subject once again was conditions of fighting in the type of country we are now in. The lecture was good and very enlightening and all ranks were thoroughly interested. The lecturer was a Platoon Commander from 56 Division, who had been in the sector for a considerable period.
1200 The CO returned from leave.
The remainder of the day was quite uneventful.
2 LIR – ITALY.
0900 CE Ceremonial Parade.
1500 CO’s conference with Coy Commanders on training.