1st - 5th September 1943 - Tripoli
The Brigade started to embark on the first of the month and ships and craft were loaded daily until the HQ ship, the last, was fully embarked by the evening of Sunday 5th.
6th September 1943
1430 During this time, too, ships were sailing in their different convoys and the last ships sailed at half past two on Monday afternoon.
9th September 1943 - Pontecagno 743227
The first troops ashore were the Grenadiers followed at about 0800 hrs by Tac HQ. By the evening (1830 hrs) the whole of the assault scales were ashore and the battalions were assisting in holding the beaches head on either side of the R. TUSCIANO about 3000 yds inland. The Grenadiers and Scots Guards were ordered to push forward during the night to the main road No.18 between Battipagiia and Tobacco Factory, to conform with 167 Brigade on right and 169 Brigade on left.
10th September 1943 - Verdesea 773223
During night Grenadiers were held up on of road and dyke 799255 to 789235. But during the day the line of the road No.18 was reached except in front of the Scots Guards who could not get into the barrack and factory area on left. The Coldstream were ordered to complete the capture of airfield 775248 which was done by 1630 hrs after which they moved into reserve in area NW of bridge 799224, sending two companies under command of Grenadiers who were experiencing counter attacks. B Squadron the Greys tried to help the Scots Guards into the factory area but failed on account of the closeness of the country and lost two tanks. Casualties were suffered by all battalions, mostly by Scots Guards, whose Adjutant was killed.
10th September 1943 - Verdesea 773223
During night Grenadiers were held up on of road and dyke 799255 to 789235. But during the day the line of the road No.18 was reached except in front of the Scots Guards who could not get into the barrack and factory area on left. The Coldstream were ordered to complete the capture of airfield 775248 which was done by 1630 hrs after which they moved into reserve in area NW of bridge 799224, sending two companies under command of Grenadiers who were experiencing counter attacks. B Squadron the Greys tried to help the Scots Guards into the factory area but failed on account of the closeness of the country and lost two tanks. Casualties were suffered by all battalions, mostly by Scots Guards, whose Adjutant was killed.
11th September 1943
During the day movement of enemy was observed along the whole front particularly in the area of Tobacco Factory and on the Grenadier's right rear across River Tusclano where the enemy were infiltrating down left bank. At about 1815 hrs the Grenadiers were heavily counter attacked by infantry from Battipaglia but after some mixed fighting the situation was restored. B Squadron of The Greys knocked out two tanks, one on the bridge from Battipagiia during the day.
11/12th September 1943
At 2130 hrs the Scots Guards attacked the factory after a heavy concentration from divisional artillery. But the well-dug enemy emplacements partly nullified artillery fire and the maze of buildings cut up by fences prevented real progress being made beyond the railway. By about midnight the situation had deteriorated and contact with the attacking companies was not maintained. Orders were given to withdraw behind railway in order to allow the gunners to shoot safely. Casualties had been rather heavy including eight officers killed, missing or wounded.
12th September 1943
After the heavy attack on the Grenadiers near Battipagiia and the failure of the Scots Guards at the Tobacco Factory it was realised that the casualties had made necessary a more defensive attitude and consequent shortening of the line until reinforcements should arrive. Orders were therefore issued for a withdrawal from the Grenadier outpost position at Battipaglia which had been held so well in almost isolated position. The new line had been established by midnight without incident.
12th September 1943
After the heavy attack on the Grenadiers near Battipagiia and the failure of the Scots Guards at the Tobacco Factory it was realised that the casualties had made necessary a more defensive attitude and consequent shortening of the line until reinforcements should arrive. Orders were therefore issued for a withdrawal from the Grenadier outpost position at Battipaglia which had been held so well in almost isolated position. The new line had been established by midnight without incident.
13th September 1943
Wiring, mining and digging were continued to strengthen positions and order to stand firm at all costs were issued. We saw tactical bomb support for the first time today. Shelling of enemy positions were on large scale and considerable movement on enemy's part was seen. At one time the Tobacco Factory was clear of enemy but he reoccupied it in force at 1600 hrs. During the evening several reports of tracked vehicles moving across front were made.
14th September 1943
0043 Coldstream called for DF on right front and reported strong attack coming in from Battipagiia. DF tasks were fired frequently on Coldstream front until 0 hrs when the enemy were reported to be going back. Meanwhile C Squadron 40 RTR had been allotted to support the Brigade. The FDLs had hardly been penetrated owing to intense DF fire, and only 12 casualties were suffered. By daylight all was quiet and a count was started of enemy losses. Reports came in from Coldstream patrols all day of vehicles and weapons abandoned and German dead were left on many parts of the front. The largest single dereliction was in an area where 2 armoured cars, 1 mortar carrier, 2 motorcycles and eight Spandaus with much kit were abandoned. A prisoner of war of II/Panzer Grenadier Regiment 64 stated that his whole battalion attacked with 50 tanks but that our intense artillery fire prevented the infantry from making a gap. The enemy attacked down both flanks of Tusciano river and thereby struck at 167 Brigade as well.
The Scots Guards also had a successful day of mortaring in Tobacco factory area.
Operation Order for counter attack by Grenadiers from reserve position was issued.
C Squadron 40 RTR took up a position for moving to counter attack in Brigade HQ area. 579 Squadron RE was put under command of brigade for reserve role.
778219
1800 The Brigade Major, Major L.R.C. Stuckley, was evacuated to CCS with a fever. The Allied air force bombed the area during the day including our own areas twice, during which one officer was killed, one officer was wounded and three guardsmen evacuated wounded or shocked.
15 September 1943
Patrols acted as usual on Brigade front, Battipaglia was visited and found almost empty. The final count of enemy losses was 17 half-tracked vehicles including some carrying guns, one half-tracked 3-ton, one wireless truck, six motorcycles and about 30 dead. Two vehicles were wrecked as a road block and the others it was hoped would be recovered in due course.
1935 Orders received that 6 Grenadier Guards were to be placed on half hour notice to move in RASC transport provided as Corps reserve. They might be expected to operate with 46 Division where an officer was sent at once. Division were informed that it was impossible to move in half an hour unless the battalion concentrated, but orders were given not to leave present position until ordered. The disappearance of the reserve battalion from the scene would have turned a very strong position into a weak one: on the right, mixed brigade was already working and the outlook of penny packets plugging holes was depressing. Everyone hoped that there would be no call removing the Grenadiers from the Brigade and a very strong defensive position.
2000 Coldstream reported two half-tracked vehicles had crossed the Fosso bridge and that they were counter attacking immediately. A certain amount of tracked movement had been heard previously. Both vehicles were knocked out four prisoners of Recce 29 Panzergrenadier Division were to taken and the situation was restored promptly although Spandau fire continued across the bridge. Later on at 2210 hrs some DF was called for on vehicle and men in centre of Coldstream front. Vehicles were heard at intervals but by midnight everything had become quiet again and the Coldstream stood down.
During the morning the Brigade was visited by General the Hon. H.R.L.G. Alexander, General Mark Clark, Lieutenant-General D. McCreery and Major-General D.A.H. Graham, commanding 15 Army Group, 5th Army, 10th Corps and 56th Division respectively. The Brigade received approximately 200 reinforcements including 15 officers.
16th September 1943
0010 The G.I., 56 Division rang up to say that the Grenadiers role of mobile reserve was cancelled and troop carrying transport could be sent away. On the other hand, we were to be prepared on receipt of cone word Puppy to extend our right flank across Fosso bridge including road running parallel to River Tusciano through 799222, thereby releasing some unit under command 23rd Armoured Brigade to take over mobile reserve role. The Coldstream were ordered to be prepared to move a reserve company for this task. The Grenadiers stood down.
From about 4 o'clock until 7.30 in the morning the enemy attempted to advance along the whole front. Everywhere he was sent packing by our artillery fire which was very active all morning. The reason for these fruitless attacks was impossible to understand at the time. More activity on our right flanking formation's front continued till about 1300 hrs but nowhere did the enemy progress. At about 1450 it was clear that he was pulling back from the American front and orders were given to patrol actively all along the line to get first hand information of a general thinning out. Operation Order No.10 was issued. In fact, all patrols found the enemy still holding the areas patrolled and in some places was digging new positions. Patrols were also sent out during the night to keep touch with the enemy situation.
17th September 1943
Patrols continued during the morning and on the right found less sign of enemy occupation. Balance to Light Scale vehicles began to arrive and by the evening all units had their vehicles with them. The Battalion Transport Officer arrived and Brigade B Echelon was started. On our left 131 Lorried Infantry Brigade took over the line from a mixture of units grouped under 23rd Armoured Brigade. At about 1830 hrs 12 dive bombers (Mustangs) attacked the Tobacco Factory with excellent results and a fire was burning there all night.
18th September 1943
Considerable movement of motor transport was heard during the night, but the only incident was the arrival of 3 Germans near Rear Brigade HQ who shot up a Light AA unit. This shows the initiative and skill with which the enemy were carrying on the unequal struggle. The bombing of the factory was repeated 0730 hrs and the accuracy of the attack was devastating to the buildings and to the German will to hold on to them. Patrols were sent out early and there were no signs of enemy in the Battipaglia area where 131 Brigade were going ahead. Two deserters can in from factory, and by about 1 o'clock the Scots Guards had got carriers past the main road and up to the road to Monte Corvino. At 1415 hrs the Brigade was put at half hour notice to move and commanders were ordered to meet the Brigadier at 1515 hrs at the Tobacco Factory. A new line was taken up from Battipaglia to Monte Corvino road at C. Vernieri 8125. Brigade moved up to Morella 797236 by 1850 hrs; One company of 6 Grenadier Guards was ordered to accompany 44 Recce on their advance up to Olivano. By 2345 hrs all battalions were in position. Right: 6 Grenadier Guards Left: 2 Scots Guards Centre: in reserve 3 Coldstream Guards.
19th September 1943
There was no sign of the enemy waving remained anywhere near our line in the morning and plans were being made for further advances when sudden orders were given for the Commander to report to 46 Division and receive orders about relief of 139 Brigade holding precarious bridgehead round Salerno. 'O' groups were ordered up simultaneously and the afternoon was spent in reconnaissance. Operation order No.10 was issued. Only the three battalions were to move at first and 24 lorries per battalion were allotted for the move. During the day a search was made for Captain P. Hackforth-Jones, Middlesex Yeomanry, the Brigade Signals officer who had not been seen since 1830 hrs the night before. Eventually he was presumed prisoner of war having gone too far forward when trying to contact battalions in the move forward.
Brigade HQ 673300.
20 September 1943
In spite of the awful difficulties of the country relief of 139 Brigade was complete by 0345 hrs with 2 Scots Guards on right, 6 Grenadier Guards centre and 3 Coldstream Guards on left. On our right 128 Brigade and on our left 138 Brigade. For this operation the Brigade was under command of 46 division which it never was before although this was the eighteenth division under which it had been. The enemy in the morning was reported to have evacuated Mango and patrols were sent out to investigate our more immediate front. However, he was still found in position and showed little sign of intending to go. There was considerable movement on the front and we shelled whenever we could. Our supporting units began to come back to the fold and 65 Field Regiment relieved the 46 Division gunners during the night, much to our relief. The country was so mountainous that pioneers were allotted for carrying forward replenishment. Patrols went out as usual and found the enemy in position without much incident. Tac HQ was established at 649312.
21 September 1943
The of the Brigade Group filled in the gaps in our accustomed line-up and in addition 331 Battery Light AA was placed under command for any move forward. The Brigadier twice visited OPs with the GOC 56 Division in order to plan future operations. 56 Division issued a Warning Order for any move forward in which this would be the leading Brigade Group. Shelling in battalion areas was on a much-increased scale. and the Coldstream suffered 20 casualties and the Scots Guards a dozen. B Echelon moved up to 751287. Patrols were sent out as usual, the Coldstream in particular were concerned to find the strength with which Annunziata ridge was held, with a view to later occupation. The Brigadier attended a conference at Division at 1830 hrs. The enemy was becoming more active over the rear areas and the Oerlikon AA platoon had several shoots this day and the day before when they had shot down two aeroplanes.
22nd September 1943
The plan today was for the Coldstream to complete the occupation of the hospital feature and for the Brigade to conform with the left wheel of 169 (right) and 167 (centre) Brigades through Mango which the Recce Regiment reported clear. The whole plan was to exploit and demonstrate the next day towards Baronissisi as a feint while the 46 Division on left advanced towards Nocera. Operation Order No.11 dated 22nd was issued.
Brigade HQ joined Tac 650312.
23rd September 1943
The Coldstream party went off satisfactorily and four Spandau nests were destroyed. The deception fire plan was fired at 0315 hrs and at 0415 hrs the Grenadiers sent a patrol forward to see if the enemy had withdrawn. The patrol reported crossroads at Ponte Fratte clear and orders were given for the Grenadiers to start moving forward down the road and the whole Brigade Group were put at three hours’ notice to move. 30 troop carrying lorries were allotted and A Squadron of 44 Recce Regiment and the carrier company 6 Cheshires were put under command of 6 Grenadier Guards. The 42nd Field Company RE sent up sapper recces and produced a bulldozer quickly. Operation Order No.12 was issued for the next days advance. Demolitions and shelling had both been extensive.
24th September 1943
The advance continued after much work during the night, but it was very slow and the sheiling and small arms fire on the parties working on the craters and demolitions prevented them from making much progress. By midday it was clear that the advance down the road could not be continued until the heights on either side were held by 'us. Operation Instruction No.1 was issued. The Grenadiers found the going very heavy and could not get to Point 270 by dark and so they withdrew to the Capella ridge 642359. The Coldstream moved up during night just behind the Grenadiers. Captain Hackforth-Jones returned to the Brigade after having escaped from the Germans.
25th September 1943
The Coldstream were ordered to take Point 270 which the Grenadiers had not been able to reach the evening before. They started at 1200 hrs and had taken their objective at 1400 hrs. Shelling in the forward areas was very severe; and a large number (120) of casualties were suffered by the assaulting companies from this and heavy mortars. The rest of the day was spent consolidating and in making arrangements for the evacuation of casualties over the most difficult going. Basutos were used for most of the portering but support companies and Brigade HQ detachments to help carry. The doctors worked terribly hard and blood transfusions and amputations were being done at the RAP on top of Capella. No casualties could be carried down the back slope of Capella in the dark.
26th September 1943
The next day the Brigadier again went round the positions and decided to relieve the Coldstream with the Scots Guards who had hitherto been in reserve. Meanwhile 169 Brigade were recceing up the main road, believing the enemy to have gone. During the afternoon the Divisional plan had crystallised into a decision to continue the advance by sending 167 Brigade down the road. This enabled this Brigade to be put in reserve for the first time since landing and although one new company of the Scots Guards had to be left to cover Point 270 the rest of the troops could be withdrawn.
27th September 1943
The Coldstream, Grenadiers and most of the Scots Guards came dawn int billets in Salerno. Two companies of the Scots Guards were placed at six hours notice to move with a force under CO 6 Cheshire 6 as flank guard north of San Severino. 543 Company RASC provided transport for this eventuality. The day passed quietly and by evening we were told we could have another day’s rest and would not move before dawn on 29th.
28th September 1943
A day’s rest.
29th September 1943
Two companies of Scots Guards went off in the early morning on the Division flank guard north of San Severino. We were told no move before 30 September.
30th September 1943
Having again been told no move before 1st October about 1500 hrs orders were suddenly received to move to concentration area near San Severino. After counter-orders received over bad wireless, the Grenadiers were the only unit to move in RASC transport to a leaguer near Fisciano, though harbour parties from each battalion recced leaguers with the Staff Captain.
Tac HQ moved up to San Severino about 1700 hrs to get nearer to Division.