| Regiment | 10th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | M. DAMIANO 839991, ITALY |
| Entry | 0705: 6 P.W. who gave themselves up to B Coy, as they said all their pl. was either dead or taken prisoner, sent to Bn HQ a.m.: Brief summary of enemy situation in DAMIANO, as obtained by Bn from P.W. interrogation, sent to Bde. a.m.: Throughout morning, the Bn area incl Pt. 411 was shelled continually 1205: Place 828017: Abt. 2 coys inf observed going South along track towards CASTELFORTE 1355: Shelling of Bn area increased to heavy bombardment, incl high velocity shells (prob '88's) & mediums. Enemy observed fwd. Of B Coy 1440: B Coy reported further increase in bombardment & enemy forming up for attack. Arty D.F. brought down: From then until 1630. Enemy continually counter attacked & shelled B Coy, & were repulsed with arty D.F. small arms fire and grenades. The 3" Mortar with B Coy ran out of amm. And grenades and the C.S.M. returned for more. By then the Bn reserve had all been used, but more was collected from other coys & a carrying party organised. While going back the C.S.M. was badly wounded by mortar fire, and the carrying party killed. In the meantime, at 1720 in CASTELFORTE firing at Bn HQ from right flank 1800: B Coy ran completely out of amm. And was forced to withdraw to Bn perimater 1637: Bde asked if we would like 2 more coys to reinforce us, C.O. said 'Yes' 2300: A Coy 1 Lon Scot, & MACFORCE (composite coy) arrived, & the Bn was reorganised into the posns taken over originally from 7 Oxf. & Bucks. Porter party arrived with 48 hrs rations, and 8,000 rnds SAA; also '22' W/T set. On both nights 20/21, & 21/22 the '22' set (link to Bde) had been carried by black porters who had become bomb happy & ran away. Uptill now the only wirless communication with Bde was via the R.A. set. |
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