A Most Unhappy Christmas MTO (id:#66677)

(Bloody December-The Gully ASL Team Tournament 2023 ID: B4)   [next]   [previous]

East San Nicola and San Tommaso, Italy 1943-12-26 (1 other)

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Overview:

The 48th Highlanders of Canada had captured the high ground to the east overlooking San Nicola and San Tommaso on 24 December but became isolated from the remainder of the 1st Brigade. Two failed by attacks by The Royal Canadian Regiment and The Hasting and Prince Edward to link up were thrown back with great loss. A timely resupply on Christmas night conducted by 60 men of the Saskatoon Light Infantry Regiment had managed to bring food and ammunition to the 48th Highlanders and then return with the wounded the following morning. For the remainder of the men of the 48th Highlanders, it was a most unhappy Christmas. At 1000, 26 December, the 3.Batalion, Fallschirmjägerregiment1 attacked and penetrated the Highlanders' positions, and some very close fighting followed. By midday, however, thanks to the untiring efforts of the Royal Canadian Engineers and drivers of the 11th Armoured Regiment (The Ontario Regiment) to move armour through the long salient, one troop of tanks had arrived on the scene –guided by Lieutenant Clarkson, who braved heavy mortar and machine-gun fire to lead them forward. With this long-awaited support Johnston's men struck out vigorously at the paratroopers, driving them across the Riccio towards San Nicola and San Tommaso, and killing or capturing an estimated 100. The other two battalions of the brigade joined in routing the enemy from the scattered buildings along the edge of the plateau, and by 27 December the east bank of the Riccio upstream from San Tommaso was in our hands.

Defender: Canadian (48th Highlanders of Canada Regiment)  

Errata (source)