Road to San Leonardo MTO (id:#66674)

(Bloody December-The Gully ASL Team Tournament 2023 ID: B1)   [next]   [previous]

South of San Leonardo, Italy 1943-12-06 (13 others)

No balance information available

Overview:

Major-General Vokes issued his orders for another crossing of the Moro, having planned it as an operation by two brigades to secure the main axis and its junction with the Orsogna-Ortona lateral. The plan called for an initial two-pronged assault by the 1st Brigade to capture San Leonardo, and a subsequent breakout by the 2nd Brigade to seize the divisional objective. From the Hastings and Prince Edward bridgehead on the right the Royal Canadian Regiment would thrust south-westward along the plateau against San Leonardo, while at the same time the 48th Highlanders would make a frontal attack across the river on to the spur of ground between San Leonardo and La Torre. Once the 1st Brigade had secured a firm base on the San Leonardo escarpment, a strong infantry and armoured force would cross the Moro and strike at the junction on the Ortona road. The attack on San Leonardo by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada began late on 5 December 1943 with A Company establishing a bridgehead across the Moro, taking heavy casualties. In the early morning of 6 December, A Company was withdrawn and two additional Seaforth companies resumed the offensive. As the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry secured and held their bridgehead over the Moro River, the Seaforth Highlanders were struggling to enter San Leonardo. By 0715, a single objective had been taken, with Canadian units pinned down by well-coordinated defensive fire from several companies of the Infanterieregiment 361. Simultaneously, small arms fire prevented C Company from moving up the road from the Moro to San Leonardo, while D Company remained on the southern banks of the Moro throughout the early morning.

Defender: German (Panzergrenadierregiment 361, 90.Panzergrenadierdivision)  

Errata (source)