r;l c:::l \()I ... r<J ti: _d 4) - .... rfJ :::-1' co~ rf:J -21 0 -< -<. ~

- -

~:-h<i e~~ J]o. 100 --- ~·-

s·~ :: J01J1~J.AL

From 1200 Noon - 1 Nov 1943 (Date _(: Hour)

191 :..t T'-'-:.. '_

To 1200~ Noon ~ 2 No v 1943 \ D!i!i1iil & H bur )

Place Vicini -cy ~f_s. A~]. a _d• Al ife -!·-: Italv __

d :2] <

~ ~· ~ tm: ~lJA[J; I ~m:, I, All u:~~I~ '':::t::o:~.~:::s~ ~:c: r •- po si ti-~ns to~~ p& rfonning their u "'o1 -< c.a · I · ' duties.

I. -. ---.------ - --·-~-----~·-----

!;;: 0 UJ u :;:, 0 0

"' "-UJ

"'

!'

Still no enemy contact made.

Col CRONK v.ent with L·t Col PERI\INS on reconnaissance of rearby are a s and also 'Visited several of our Companies, which were in defensive positions. No-thing unusual happenf)d

~~ E IDEST C. WATSON

Major, l9lst Tank Bn ( M) s-2 , 8-3

,..-.

·;1p ( u' JJ .. .j. I' - ·· J

F"

:1 I r ~1--!1, ~~~~ ;:: ~'-1 Q)

-~.;h~; e+: 1'.J,'"",.. _,·. ~.

101

-~~ ~~ .

[J) :?1 Cl ---·- -

3 511 ~ f . ; ·rUA· ~ r Tl''L. u --.. < ,, --n z •. - · ~ r=lf;~· .··· .. I

0 • PI- . -5 \S:, .< en

• _, r

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8 • 3 J ClJI:Tf;c:U., ·.: . 19let Tank nn ( ~:)

From 1200 - 2 Nov 1943 T01200- 3 Nov 1943 ( Date l ; II our;------- l Dac;e & Il our)

place Vicinity of s. Angelo dt .Alife ~ Italy ·-------·---·--- -~---

·---- ·--------·----·------- ·- --·-·---------------------r1;crn }rrs, i-..fLGSAG~~c J ORP.::Rs, ·.~TC.

All units of Battalion remain in sa.rre bi voua.c positions, standing-by. -

Lt Col PERKINS was ordered to report to the Co:rmria.nding C'..eneral, 34th Inf. Div.~ at 1500 hours, 2 November~ to get final instructions concerning the \iDLTUR1"if0 RIVER CROSSING AT­TACK. Capt HOLLIS accompanied Col. PERKINS to the Divisional Hee.dquarters for these in­tructions.

Gam-ral RYIER gave the 11plan of attack"-- The Division(34th Inf.) would attack with two Ragiments abreast and one Regiment in support. Time of attack:· 2400 - 3-4 November. l Ori ginal plan for this Battalion to cross the VOLTURNO RivER behind assault Battalions

'fof two Assault Regiments, move into assembly area. in woods tv10 miles NORTH of the oros­i sing, prepared to support both Regiments during daylight hours. on recommendation of the commanding Officer, l68th Inf. Regt., ori ginal pl~s were changed so that Battalion was to move up just South of the River crossing under cover of darkness and be prepared

:-to cross the VOLTURNO to support either or both of the Assault Regiments, upon reE{Uest of the Regim:Jntal c."'. All officers were called to the Battalion C.P .. e.t 0800 hours, 3 November, and Lt Col PERKINS discussed "plan of attack" and issue.d his orders. Lt Col PERKINS then carried all Company and Platoon Commanders on reconnafssance of the river-crossing area. Dlr­ing this reconnaissance, positions 'V'.J6:re selected for ea.ch Compa.ny which afforded max..: imum ca;mouflage and firing areas. Tl)..'"ough "route-reconnaissance" was made by Platoon

.and Company Commanders to all positions so thEW could be reached during hours of dark-' ··ness with minimum. movement. Positions -were selected for each tank. Company Commanders , returned to their units and issued instructions for movement and their plan of attack. }All Companies were placed in readiness for next movement.

~~~ ERJ."EST C. WATSON

Ma.j or, 191 st Tank Bn ( M) s-2, s-3

"-' ... ,

-------- - --- --

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:! r;l-~:. "tJ~I~,

- r-- rr r- 2 d) - ...., IJJ ~l ~w IJJ Cl -<t:

Lht-je--i~: ;;r.-::. 102 -:r- .. --

,...J -.,:J -< ~. u <I ~ Co ·,-~ ~--' :1"-----:----~ r:· z t1Q • . DATE . 1- TT'[.;

·;:::: ~ r· ... -.j .,-0 ,, ' ' ..c ' ' ' '5 '~ , ' : -< Co '

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. -~: 2_:!_ClT :~J:J.AL -... 191 "t T lllif_,.~- "', ( r.•) ~ ~~~~ ~J ·• - /

From 1 zoo Noon - 3 ,N.ov 1~_43 To 1200 Noon - 4 Nov 19 43 (, D;:tte ( , Hour) · (Date & Hour)

?lace Vicinity ()f Prata,_L'W:.Yz_ ____ _

Il~•:':i· Di~H'l'S, HLSSAGL;S, OEI:ERS, --~TC.

At 1400 hours, 3 November,' the meel vehicles and half-tracks of Headquarters Company began road movement in convoy to new bivouac position in v'icini ty of PRATA. At 1430 hours, the similar vehicles of ncn Company began moverrrent to same destination. The similar vehicles of "A" and 11B11 Companies began movement shortly after, and all of these vehicles closed into new positions by 1700 hours.

-All tanks, with Assault guns and T-2 Recovery section of Service Company began move-.. ment to the PRATA position at 1600 :aours. Order of March was Hq Co with Recovery sec­~ tion- "A" Co - 11 c" Co - 11 B ~~' Co. The road movement was made in successful me_nner, al­l though the road was thorou ghly coVered with all types of traf'fic. The tanks closed tinto bivouac by 1900 hours, with exception of "B" Co, v.hioh was ordered "off road" by ; 45th Division so unit having higher priority covered pass first. "B" Co closed into

bivou ac at 2200 hours.

Lt HAYNES reported to 133rd Inf. Regt. at 1600 today for Liaison duty.

Battalion C.P . was establishe d in new position immediately and telephone communication ,was established with 34th Inf. Di v. H~~ Each Company was ordered to send an officer ' to the Battalion C.P. for instructions. At 0100 hours, 4 November, the Combat Element of the Battalion started movement to 11 attaok posi tion11 just beyond C.APRIATI. All tanks were in p osition by 0400 hours to cover the walley and river crossing area. "A" Co and · "C 11 Co were placed in forward positions with Headquarters• tanks, assault & mortar pla­toons in center a..nd "B" co in support. All tanks were placed in commanding positions, well camouflaged because this area was under observation of the enemy. The tanks v.e..nt into their p ositions as quietly as]:. possible so their movern.ent would not be "gi wn aw-ay 11 ,

but enemy artillery fire started falling in the area shortly e.fter our arrival. The shel~-fire was extremely harassing to our troops and no one was able to ge t any re ·st or sleep, becau .se the shelling was constant. No other dam.age was done hov.-ever. German planes were alf!O over our positions, but droppe d no bombs. At 2330 hours, 3 November, our artillery "laid down" 30-J:llinute preparations all along the VOLTITRNO RI \ER-CROSSING .ARPtAS and lifted their fire 100 yards e1)8ry six mimtes in order to clear for our In­fantry units who started crossing the VOLTUR.t'JO at miclnigh·c. The Infantry made a sue-

( cont' d)

., ' ----

--~

(;hj e-'::; no. 102 ()

~~I ... ...... -~ 11) )llllllot ) c=:w rJ) . :::---1 0

~ ~ 2Z -:-~ d =-2J ~ f. I DATE j ~ c z •lO .. ~---·~ o .§ . . .Jl l L-l -

-:5 \~ ::s ~ ... <( ~

f I

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--

TI\'JC

~~ . .:.~ JC·\T:l{AL 191 c-t 'f"l ·' · ., ( '·") """ \,A..:.. ·. d.'· .L !.o

Fro:n 1200 Noon 3 Nov 19 43 (Date [; Hour )

To 1200 Noon - 4 No v 19 4 3 \Date & nour) _

Place Vicinity of Pra.ta, Ital;y-. ___..;'------

---- ~J ..- - ----- _____ ._ _____ - - - J·---- --·---------IlJCJ.b .HTS, ~:TL S SAG:i~ S, QRI:bRS, _,TC.

( oont' d) cessful river crossing and reached their objectives from 0800 hours to 1200 hours, 4 ]\Jovemb~r. The enemy h ad pl a ced rru.merous 11 Bo oby-tre.ps 11 and mines along the river and in olive orchards, ·which caused he a.V'J damage to personnel. Our tanks "-:ere lil.ot "calle d-on", and remained in @fensi "~ p ositions coverine; the valley t: o repell counter­attack . At 1050 hours, 4 November, eight ( 8 ) C..erman planes came out of the sun, eli v­ing on our positions and dropped eight bomos ~n Head'quarters Comparw a rea.. Private Siv:its wa s killed instal1tly by shrapnel and Private Michelotti was wounded. Our Med­ical ]jeta chment furnished Aid immediately after being called, and both men were car­ried t o the rear. The se pla.nes also dropped bombs and straffed our -other Companies, woundi ng staff serge ant Meschket in "C" Comparw, who vras also carried to the rear by Me di cal r:eta chment. The se c--erman planes Vl.€re very :r:e rsistent this morning and after

!'making one attack on our positions, they immediately returned and made a second attack

shortly a.fte rward. Enemy artillery shell- f ire also contirru.e d landing throu ghout our positions, but caused no damage other than "harassing" action.

Cap t HOLLIS rep orted t o !68th Inf. Re gt. at 1800 hours, 3 November, as Liaison Officer. Lt HAY NES rep orted .to 133rd Inf. Re gt., at 1600 hours, 3 November as Liaison Officer.

Each Re giment above required Liaison Of ficer because our Battalion was to supp ort both ' Re giments in the River Crossing.

Service Co remains in sa."tfl bi voua.c in Vicinity of s. AJl..gelo d 1 · A].ife.

Medical 1)3tachment establishes Aid Station in Vicin.i ty of Ca:priati.

t~~ ERNEST C. WATSON

I. . Major, l9lst Tank Bn (M)

8-2, S-·3 . NOTE: Col CRONK, Lt Col Lis.T...E, e. d Capt IUNKLAN departed

today, :irnrrl(:)diately after the air-raid, enroufe to 75lst Tank Bn (M) for f'urthe r tactical observation.

r

/'--1 !1'1• ' ~ .:.:ft>B ~~ ~;'T.:l.~J 03 .. - ........ r ---+~ -- .. --.---o -

§01~ ~~I -~-1 ~~ ifJ .. <t 0

~; · 3 JOU:~~.;AC. -.~ . 19l.st Tank Dn ( :r:r ;

Fron1200 noon- 4 Nov 1943 · To 1200 Noon- 5 Nov 1943 (Date r H-ou-rr-·---- \. Da1:;e & flqur) . --

·' Place Vicini~ _of ~~ria~!_,._ I,caly -< ' ~ d :;:!j r;;; ~ :1 I --.;_ -;T-D-:~· '~~~ ·-,;~-s-s-~ ~- , QD ,...,~ ns ' . T--rt ---·----~ >, Z ''0 D'A(l'\'!:'1" I TP:C .L.t,L· .. · .;_· ':._·_!'-.'l_i::l~,-":_"-'_·_-'1._'· _'-' _' 'i-='-~n_uu_'_l'_..:.' _ _ ,-:IJ-·-----0 -'-' ~- # ~ .J..) -· "-4 ·- .

] , ~ ~ - . 1. Battalion combat elements remain in saine defensive p osi . the valley

other than

(J)

~ 5:" u ~ ~

~ 0

~ w :r: >-!;;: 0 w u ::> 0 0 0:: a. w 0::

'5 ~, and ri ver-orossing area. Tanks were not called-upon today for aey action <( co ' to stand by to repel enemy counter-attack if necessary.

";,'£. 1

' '

l I t ,(

. EneiJ'I.y artillery and mortar fire contimed to fall in our areas today without serious j damage. Vehicle mo-vement along the roads would draw enemy fire immediately. Our rn­.1. fantry contirn1es 11mopping-up 11 on their objectives. Vi!3 had two more air-raids today

l but did no damage to our positions.

j Lt Col PERKINS, Major WATSON·, and all Company Commanders made reconnaissance of ri-ver-J crossing for tanks, if called upon. Tank crossing has not been made. The area is under ; enemy observation and any movement there draws artillery fire.

I

l 1 l

Twelve (12) ~rma.n 11 dive-bombers" circled the river-crossing area se-veral tirnes on the afternoon of. the 4th of Nowmber, and heavily bombed \IENAFRO and POZZILLI. After bomb­ing theile- towns, the planes dropped bombs along se-veral sect~ons of tlie VULTITRN'O.

~c~~ ERNmST C.. WATSON

Major, 191st Tank Bn (M) S-2, s-3

- -

Q

~~I - r--' ~ ~~1 ~~ f/1------rlO -< -.<t ~ d =-<J <

L) p.t; (. );:; rfo. 104 f. J01::tlJ_\L l9.l 't::t Tc ~~

Fro!'Il 1200 Noon 5 Nov 1943 To 1200 Noon 6 Nov 1943 \.Date (.; Hour J - - ~ Daio ·;r nour)

w 0 z

0 ~ ~ b-;t-r . l . ·~ . ~.:,-.:-:-,"--:;-;~·.-::~:---·-:-: ~-·~·:,---·-·--~--<( CO ii:y,·· , .: )ATb. 1 . Tl:!.w 1 .U•l·ID~•hS, l~J.wuS.ti'J-'-·u, Ole!).,!·,:::>, .JTv •

Place Vicinity of Capriati' Italy ·---·-·-----·---

"' ~ 0 0:: <I!

~ 0

~ z w I >-~ 0 w g 0 0 0:: 0.. w cr

i: I 1

. r .... . , Battalion combat elements remain in same defensi w positions 11 standing- by 11 for orders. Both friendly and en;)nw artillery bombardments contil'!Ue, wi t.h our Infantry Units stead­ily advancing about the hills in ~ar of towns VElN.AFRO - POZZILI - S.MARIA OLI\®TO •

~ :

. Some Infantry Units are mopping-up on objectives and are rreeting I!llch ~sista.nce from small enenw m.g. units.

Major 'WATSON and Lt REDD, with rrembers of Reconnaissance platoon, ~nt on extended reconnaissance of 11 ri ve r-crossing" this afternoon. '1'\hile "'.e were crossing the river, a heavy eneuw artillery bombardment landed on the crossing area and lasted t hirty-min­utes. Infantry Units W3re "fording" the streaJll at same time with "pack mules". Sevo-• .

_ eral Infa-.'r'ltrymen were .,vou"nded and evacuated immediately on "peeps", to the rear. Our • ~connais .sance group took cover and escaped injury. Our ~connaissance covered the

highway net along VOLTURNO RIVER until ~aching a large bridge ·which had been destroy­ed by enemy. The streaJll was later forded in search of suitablle tank-crossing. A

/

sui table crossing was located with good entrance, e,nd outlet U-I'lder cover of olive trees.

~nemy artillery contirued fe\'l~~{l'l:g all along the River this afternoon, with m.&!J.or ~amage to units crossing~ . Fifteen enerr:w pla.Il3s v.d_th 11 dive-bombers11 , attac~ed the

, .!1 ' i"i ver crossing this a.fteftfoon, the:il~unloaded more bombs on our Infantry units in vicinity of POZZILI and S.MARIA OLIIETO. No serious damage resulted in either e.ttaok.

The rainy weather still handicaps our movements and it is necessary for '\IElhicles to use chains in their operations.

~~ ERNEiST C. WATSON

Major, 19lst Tank Bn (M) s- 2, s-3

( •' Dr. l1;

()

0 \(')1 ~rn ~~Ill ..... ...... VJ :::-1• ~· cn-210 <~-< d <J ~

0htO~~~ :;::ro. 1 05 -

/

f. ·· -~ .; C\ . .,~:J_:~:l. -.". l9l t:"t ~ :.:~..r~c

Fro:n. 1200 Noon 6 Nov 1943 To 1200 Noon 7 Nov 194:3

--r~1u.t0 c Ii~u.r J (Date & Hour )

place Vicinity of Ca.priati, Italy

~-----·----·----·- -------·- --~ --~~---· --------t-·--'.....c.._. _ .. ___ .:.. _,_.· 1-o - I m ... r -r- . ~ · · ... ... ... ...... -~ ...,~··. ... . . ...... -- . . -5 . ·· 'J~~ DATF. 1. 1l.:.'-'C ~- .LJ•, CIILJ.h ·:::>, 1'-'il ... i::JSkr-'"o, lltGLRS, -~TC. _ .. ·-· _ ·. . ~ _q ZFf ~ _.;: lo' I

1 j All units of Battalion remain in saroo defensive positions ·read§ to repell enemy

counter-a.t·ta.ck at River Crossing Vicinity or to go into offensive action. some of our positions have been changed shghtly during hours of darkness in order to give better observation and ' cam.ouflage effect. T,he assault platoon has set-up forward O.P. which affords excellent view of the surrounding hills and river valley. The

..

t'

L i

platoon has set-up firing positions to cover the valley thorou r.;hly and able to fire upon call. The mortar platoon is now in position to cover the ' river frontage ·with

"smoke- screen" ort E .E. upon call.

~~ ERNEST C. WATSON

Maj or, 19lst Tank En (M) S-2, 8-3

Jn,- -( ~r.-·

__ l . . i. __ ..:. .

' I

t

Sh:.iG~:; ]Jci. 106 f· · ~ rJ(::.: :(H_:l:..: .... .. 191 et Tar.Jc j)n (I:-:.)

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--·-Fr ():-nl200 Noon 7 Nov 1943

____,_. t . (. Da ·e ( ; Ii~ur) To 1200 Noon 8 Nov 19 43

\Date & nourr--

?lace Vicini ty_?f ~~riati, Italy

I -=~--:-. -~--· =---~----~- ---_ ----... - -- ·--TD£ . i ..L :, CID...;H'l'S, ~!u S SAGL S, UJ:fuR3, -'TC.

/ . At noon 7th of November, Lt Col PERKINS was called to 34th Division Headquarters to receive orders for an att ack across ri ,,-er . · Capt HOLLIS accomp anied Col FIH?KINS to Division. Headquarters.

General RYIER fonned "Task Force A" composed of 19lst Ta.nk Bn ( M); 776th T.D .. En; 135th Inf. R.e gt., e.nd "B" compaey of 109th Engineers, with Brig . Ge:reral CAFFEY commanding. The mission of the. Force irs to make a. flanking moi19roont along right of Division, to cap­ture MONTAQUILA and establish "road block", then prepare to contirue advance to COL!.lG ('.,e.neral CAFFEY ordered all commanders of Task Force units to make thorough reconnaissance and rep ort to him a.t 1600 hours for further instructions. At 1600 hours, the General ga.\19 following "plan of atta.ck 11 • Two Infantry Battalion of the 135th Inf. Regt. will attack abreast along high ground on left with other Battalion in support. The 776th T. D. Battalion will support Infantry by direct and indirect f'ire. The 191 st Tank Bat­talion will cmove to concealed s.ssembly position, prepared to supp ort Infa.-l'ltry attack by fire and movement. Mo~ment to assembly positions will be made under cover of darkness, follmwing the 776th T.D. Bn.-· Co "B"' 109th Engineers will prepare route for passing and clear mined areas. The assault platoon 19lst Tank Bn, Will move into position and file on town of MONTAqUILA £'rom 0500 to 0100 hours, 8 November.

Lt Col FEffiiHil: and Capt HOLLIS returned to Bn c.P. and orders Vlere issued to all unit . commanders concerning their moveroont and actions. Reconnaissance was made by all c om­! Pa.IW Commanders to their individual areas, and each Company area was - selected. The .11 Reconnaissance platoon -will furnish necessary guides for movement to all positions.

Order of' March will be "A" Co - 11 C11 co - Hq Co - "B" co. The Assault platoon will I take-up £'iring positions in ri;.-'E?r valley at "power-plant" and prepare to f'ire on MONTA-1 QITILA ~m 0500 to 0700 hours ~n i:he morning •. "A" co will go into position on right of

road, 500 yards ·beyond railroad crossing. "C" Co will go into p osition on right of road immediately after crossing the railroad. "B" Co -will be in support and will go into

_ positi0n- on left of' road, 500 yards prior to reaching 11 by-pass 11'. service Co and Mortar

1

. platoon v'lill . remain in pre sent position~. Hq tanks will be in position with "C" co ~ road. Under cover of' darkness, all units moved according to previous plans and v.ent ~nto prev.i,.ously s.eleo~d positions. Though the night was very dark and ra.i:r:rr, our movement

( oont• d)

r--ol

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~, . :5 .;c . ·-:o'\1 191 ~-'- C' r· ru· "• · I ~';) ..;... .1.. "-' v .l ·-· ~ . . :.;. \ ... A.

... ..,,_ --From 1200 }Jooh 7 Nov 1943 To 1200 Noon 8 Nov 1943

--z-:ua·t;e t ; Hour) - ---~ ·--z Date & :ti·o~ctr)

place Vicinity of Cppriati, Italy

( con-'-' dc:_---~-·--:~SSA"-~~;-u·=-~~-~-T'' --·-'"' .QivCI }1.; 1.'. 'l ' S, 1'.'1L Lr""' 0, .t':l.·-'"·' ~', .J v • -----

was made with minor trouble s. La rge pontoon bridge was used to cross the VOLTURNO RTV­ER.

At 0500 hours, 8 No-vember, the 776th T.D. Bn. opened fire on MOliJTAGU ILA. Th:bs inter­mittent firing lasted until 09 00 hours. Shortly after the T.'D:-hnng we.s compl e ted, the enemy artillery and mortars placed extremely heavy and accurate bombardment on the 776th T.D. Bn., and our "A" Co. Capt PETERSON and Pvt Cundiff v;ere seriously inj ured by this enemy bombardment. The Medical r:eta.chment hurriedly ev-acuated both, but Pvt CUndiff died be fore reaching the Aid Station. Capt PETERSON responded to two bl ooa­tra.nsfusions ~gi-ven by Lt BO~JM:AN and was ~evacuated to the 15th Evacu ati on hospital.

. di .L. • ' '+"'~"' Hl.s con ~..1.on 2s very serJ.ous. ~

-~rp.~~ of the 135th Inf. Regt. be gan their advance toward MONTAQU ILA, but v.ere terr ibly

....... · down by eremy boobjr-trep s, mines, etc. In many instances, the Engineers had to clear passage for Infantry to pass. Our tanks remained in seme p ositions in support :Bf Infantry units, a.wai ting orders to move forward ail.d attack on call. Intermittent enemy artillery contime d to fall on our positions all d!ff.

<;~~ ERNE.ST C. WATSON

Major, 19lst Tank Bn. ( M) S-2, S-3

l ;-..

{ - - -- _ . ..., ..... __ -----~

~ :: I r~

cJ!l \{)!~ ~ A ~/"\ r' h ·· . ' ·· c·:;...., .1 08 ~ \. ' ) ~ ~........,..._, .... -- _ ........ ~ ___ _

- r--~.?' . ~-~-~- -~~.: _:~. ·· . .:::: 19let T<J.fL :011 ( ~ - .

From 1200 Noon 8 Nov 1943 To 1200 Noon 9 lifov 1943 ~ ~~l ~w iCJ:l 1 0

~~· d ~ ~ f. ' v.· . . ty f R . d 1 I tal ~ 0 z -.. . . P.:.a.ce ~cJ.m o occarann o 8)1 y ,o ·- - ------------------- -----1 . g ' ~ --·-·-t ,------------~-·--------··· ----· ·------ -- -- ------< ~, DATI-; ! TDC . I I KCIILHTS, ~~L:.: s;.:·L ·:,:~~IER3 , ·.;Tc. '

11 1

1

. ".it" Ccimpa.ey remains in sa]lle defensi-ve--p-o-s7i-:-t:-i-o-n-=-in- -VJ.:-. ·c-1.:-. n-u-=-· 7ty--o-::f--:-R-:-0-C-::C-A-:-RA-:-VI=:N:-OO-:-· -::-1-A--,-we-re __ _

-- ·-(. ~":<:C.?[ IPt~:;-· ·· - ----rf;ate & Hour J- ·

<! '.~. I r a -.~ 1· t ;:::: . ,(

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0 ;J UJ u :::> 0 0

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dispersed along right side of highway. Lt ¥riLSON took corrnna.nd of "A"' company this afternoon to replace Capt PETERSON. Enemy arbllery contimed to fall in this Company's position !;odey very frequently. Lt WILSON made thorough route reconnaissance thti.s morn-ing from his position to MONTAQ,UILA to determire possibility of cross-country tank move­! ment in the event of enerrw coun:ber-attack. Route was sui table to w:i thin~ mile of fue

I town, then highwa,y would ha.\-e to be used on account of hilly terrain. Terrain in Vic-inity is wry wet and mud~ but suitable fort~ movement. Alternate defensive posi­

! tions were also selected mar the town, which would afford excellatt observation of j enemy movement in this direction. Camouflage protection along this route was found to l be only fair. " B" Compaey :remains in seune defensive position in Vicinity of s.MARIA . ; OLIVETO in support of other two Companies. Intermittent enemy artillery fire has fallen

on th~s position today, Without dalllage. Lt SUGEL made route reconnaissance frcm his position to maunt!Jins and then forward up valley in direction of ROCCA.RAV11TOOLA to deter-

. mine possibility of tank movement across country in ,that Vicinity in case of enemy counter­! attack. The route was found sui table in case.e of ne ce s si ty •

"C" Co remains ins am.e defensive position on right of highway in Vicinity of ROCCARAVHTJX)L.A. mar railroad crossing. The Headquarters tii!IDks v.~:re :rnoved out of the position tonight to gi w the Canpa.ey additional space and better · camouflage. Lt MIDILETON made thorough route

. reconnaissance this morning from his position. to MONTAQUILA to detennine possibility of 1 tank movement on both sides of road, in case of e:o9my couiitel:'-attack. The route was found

I sui table for tank mo-vement cross-country on both sides of road. .Alte r nate defensive posi­

. tiona were also selected while on the reconnaissance. These new pol!itions wpui:a give ob-I servation throughout the valley with good camouflage protection. · l . .

j Hq Co tanks are in position ~y Railroad crossing in Vic~nity of ROCCARAVIUOOLA, and main-tains close contact with other t ank companies. Our Infantry moved into MONiJfatTYzA tonight and enenw counterattack is possible threat. Therefore, all Companies -are alerte:e: .for this action. The Assault Platoon moved fu r ther forward toward MONTAQ.UIL.A: along right of road add went into posi t1.on near the powerhouse. This new position gives commanding View of all

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__ .. _ 19ld To..1~c Dn ( £1)

Fro:nl200 Noon 8 Nov 1943 To 1200 Noon 9 Nov 1943 --Coate r:, fiour) - \Date & nour )

place Vioini ty of Rocca.ra.vindola, Italy ------------- _ .. __________ _ I· ~ i ~ I ~ ~'

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----, of roads leading into and from the town, and also full view of the town itself. This

I i platoon is to observe all roads about the Vicinity of the town for enemy movement, and

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. I to fire on same upon orders. Capt W.ALKER made reconnaissance today for new bivouac to move Service Compa.:rw into.

c:~~ ER118ST c. WATSON

Major, 19lst Tank Bn (M) s- 2, s-3

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