by caitlin.mcwilliams | Dec 27, 2011 | @BattleofOrtona |
The advance that began on the banks of the Moro River on 4 December was to continue until Point 59 north of Ortona was in Canadian hands. 8th Army’s offensive was over and Pescara and the road to Rome were still securely held by the enemy. Orsogna remained in enemy...
by caitlin.mcwilliams | Dec 26, 2011 | @BattleofOrtona |
The German paratroopers launched a major attack on the 48th Highlanders at 1430 hrs just after three Sherman tanks of the Ontario Regiment arrived. The tanks went into action immediately and the paratroopers were driven back in a panic. It was a sharp, complete and...
by caitlin.mcwilliams | Dec 25, 2011 | @BattleofOrtona |
“Ortona was essentially a battle-ground where success or failure depended on the individual initiative of junior leaders. Sections, platoons and companies became separate entities isolated in small worlds inside a crumbling city; dust and smoke curtained...
by caitlin.mcwilliams | Dec 25, 2011 | @BattleofOrtona |
“On Christmas morning, Brigade Headquarters ordered the R.C.R. to abandon the original intention of cutting the main road, and instead to form a corridor between the Hastings and 48th Highlanders through which the latter could receive supplies and evacuate casualties....
by caitlin.mcwilliams | Dec 25, 2011 | @BattleofOrtona |
“The Q.M. Capt D.B. Cameron spent a busy morning fixing up details for the Christmas Dinner to be held in the church occupied by B.H.Q. The Protective Group sent parties of men around and ruined houses in the town collecting chinaware. The setting for the dinner...
by caitlin.mcwilliams | Dec 24, 2011 | @BattleofOrtona |
“As the Canadians penetrated further into the built-up portion of the town, they found that after clearing the first house of a block, they could move to the next either through the street or by jumping across the balconies. By both methods they became exposed....
