33.
Rain set in and everything bogged down completely.
The battle now was restricted to local actions and it was in one such that
Capt. G.E. Madden crossed a river with a Company of the
Irish.
Evidently they were expected for they didn't come back.
It was later learned that he was a prisoner of war.
On the 30th September enemy shelling and mortaring reached a new high
with concentrations including everything from 88 mm to 17 cm.
All
OPs began to report signs of a heavy
counter-attack
and soon defensive fire tasks were being called for on all sides.
The enemy attacked with Infantry, tanks, and air-support,
some bombs being dropped in the Regimental area.
Jerry laid down a dense smoke screen and the Regiment promptly filled it with
H.E.
Presumably the effect was discouraging for the situation
was soon in hand.
All battalion and brigade headquarters were loud in their praise of the
artillery support giving it the credit for breaking up the attack.
The first half of October was notable only for rain and mud.
Attacks were continually being laid on and then cancelled
owing to inclement weather.
The Padre
H/Capt. G.S. Fraser started a new stunt to
obtain customers.
He announced a rum issue at 1800 hrs and when everyone gathered
in readiness, called an evening Church Service first.
These became known as voluntary parades, Mk II.
34.
Finally by the 21 October the ground became dry enough and the advance
continued.
The enemy had completed his preparations for withdrawal and only slight
opposition was met.
Jerry had flooded as much of the area as possible and the roads were almost
impassible.
On one advance with the
GGHGs
Major E.C. Tate embarked in a
“Duck”
ran aground on a sand bar and was stuck for five hours.
In the meantime Capt. D.E.P. Armour was carrying on with the G.G.H.G. forward
squadron and the Partisans.
The advance was by whatever means could be found and culminated
with the triumphal entry into CERVIA with the G.G.H.G.s as a bicycle
battalion.