| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | D +8 Day, [Paolo], Sicily |
| Entry | 1400hrs. At short notice Bn marches to area FORD in 8868 to force crossing of the RIVER SEMETO. On the way there is a tank alarm which later proves to be only our armoured cars who report GERMAN infantry and an 88mm Gun across the river. Bde Plan is two Bns forward and 2 CAMERONIANS in reserve. 2 WILTS on RIGHT to make good crossing by FORD 888687, and in 2 INNISKS on LEFT to seize BRIDGE 877697. 1600hrs. Two Coys move forward, D Coy on LEFT and C Coy on RIGHT. Across the river they meet GERMAN snipers and heavy LMG fire. GERMAN tracer sets the reeds on fire. The Coys go straight into the oposition and clean it out with the bayonet. Forty-eight GERMAN Ps/W are taken and later eight GERMAN dead and six automatics were found in their positions. The GERMANS were identified as Nos. 3 & 4 Coys of 3 SICILIAN REGT. Our casualties were D Coy - 1 Offr & 7 O.Rs wounded: C Coy - 1 Offr wounded, 5 O.Rs Killed and 8 wounded. 1630hrs. A Coy is sent up the RIGHT to cross RIVER to establish themselves by 90o EASTING and contact a tank squadron of Shermans, which they do. The only opposition they meet is slight mortar fire and they dig in about 904705. D Coy establish themselves in MASSA AGATA 894702: C Coy in area CAVALIERE 897697. About 1700hrs B Coy move to astride RIVER at 898695. Bn HQ remains at FARM 893683 where it is mortared. Position on front of 2 INNISKS on LEFT is obscure and firing continues from their area area all night. |
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