| Regiment | 10th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | 854972, ITALY |
| Entry | abt. 0030: Leading coy reached Pt 275. Situation there was quiet, & C.O. therefore decided to proceed & relieve 7 Oxf & Bucks as originally ordered. 0355: Relief of 7 Oxf. & Bucks complete. During the march, A Coy, having been relieved, joined the tail of the Bn. column NOTE ON M. DAMIANO. M. DAMIANO is a pudding shaped hill topped by a rocky outcrop sloping upwards towards the N.W. for abt. 300y, & with steep sides. At the end of the outcrop there is a bare slope for 200 yards to Pt.411, which is the centre of a ridge running East - West. NOTE ON TAKE - OVER & BN. POSITIONS Take-over was completed without enemy interference despite the fact that the Bn area was overlooked by Pt.411 from which 7 Oxf & Bucks had been driven earlier that day having taking it with the rest of the feature at 1000 hrs 18 Jan Bn took over exact positions of Oxf. & Bucks, which were in the form of an arrowhead, the shaft consisting of the rocky outcrop with the forward coys flanking posns for 100 yds to the sides: C Coy fwd coy, A Coy left fwd, B & D in reserve, Bn HQ in the centre. The whole Bn occupying a tight perimeter 300 yds long. 0630: Place M.DAMIANO 839991: Hostile mortar & arty fire in Bn. area 0720: Enemy opened up with M.G.'s from ridge flanking Pt.411, and more enemy were later seen to be forming up. They then came over the ridge to attack in line. We replied with Brens & rifles which halted them & the C.O. called for arty D.F. This was brought down at 0750 for six minutes intense, & the attack was broken up. Four enemy at least were killed by our S.A. fire, & one wounded, who was later brought in. Later one enemy (a Yugoslav) deserted to us, having managed to get away from his pl. during the attack. Detailed rept. on P.W. later 1315: Enemy began to infiltrate round the night and C Coy sent out small patrol to deal with 6 riflemen who appeared to be sniping. 2/Lt BARKER u/c patrol was badly wounded, and the coy sent out a large patrol to get him in, and disperse the enemy who by then were observed to consist of an MG group, and a further group of about 8 riflemen. These were dispersed with grenades and SA fire 1605: Further movment having been seen round the rt. flank arty D.F. was brought down which effectively dispersed at least one pl. that was evidently forming up for counter attack 1610: C.O. ordered B Coy with 2 pls C Coy under comd to attack and capture Pt.411 at 1815 hrs. Arty barrage from 1800. On capture B Coy would hold Pt.411, and pls of 'C' Coy would return to former posns. 1630: P.W. taken. Cpl. From Med Bty H. GORING ARTY REGT. Looking for his O.P. which he thought was established area Bn HQ 1815: B Coy attacked Pt.411. The attack was completely successful 25 P.W. were taken and 12 M.G.'s captured. Much equipment & heavy enemy dead left on battlefield. Own casualties, 2/Lt PRATER, & 9 O.R.'s all from bullet wounds in legs |
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