Home of the Infantry Regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire
War Diary
Detail
1944-06-01
| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Ardea, Italy |
| Entry | Sheet 158 IV NW 1:25,000 The night passed quietly without incident. During the late morning a patrol was sent out from 'B' Coy under SGT. WESTALL to patrol 1000 yds forward to see if conttact [sic] could be made with the enemy. It got to its objective without opposition; but on its return was fired on from a flank. 1 man was wounded in the stomach and efforts to carry him in on a stretcher were prevented by the enemy who opened fire at the slighest movement, even when the Red Cross Flag was carried. The rest of the patrol eventually got back without further casualties and another stretcher bearer crawled out and stopped with the wounded man until nightfall. During the afternoon Brigade informed us that it was thought that the enemy might withdraw during the night and if this happenend the battalion would move forward and occupy Pts 51 and 57 (M.R. 775369 : 774370) 1730hrs: The C.O. held a conference and issued orders for the occupation of these two positions if patrols reported them to be unoccupied. 2130hrs: Two patrols went out to Pts 57 and 51. Patrol led by LIEUT HARMER 'C' COY to Pt 51 reached objective and reported the area to be clear of the enemy. In fact the patrol reached the fwd slopes of the feature which were unoccupied. They did not search the reverse slopes, which were held by the enemy as it transpired later. |
