April

PLACEDATEHOURSUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATIONREFERENCES TO APPENDICES
MOUNTI BOUNI3Ski training at Mountain School, TERMINILLO completed, and party return to Base (Mountibouni): Result of Training: Very Good.
FORLI60630'B' Patrol commanded by Capt. R P Yunnie MC and 'S' Patrol commanded by Capt. JD Campbell MC each consisting of 4 Jeeps, fully equipped to PPA Scale, plus 2 Jeeps equipped with WT Sets B Mk.II and A Mk.III in all a compliment of 2 Officers and 30 men, sailed from PESA O in RCLS to PORTO CORSINI, there to await further orders.
FORLI8At the final conference to co-ordinate the plans for the landing of the a/n party in the area North of Lake Commachio, Capt. Dickinson, RN (SNONA) stated that the minefield approaches to this area were not negotiable during the hours of darkness. The proposed operation was cancelled forthwith and the patrols withdrawn to MOUNTEBOUNI. (See Appendix 'A')Appendix 'A'
There was no alternative to a landing by sea, storm boats, which could have ridden the minefields would not take the weight of a fully equipped Jeep.
9Patrols are concentrated in CERVIA area. CO submits to G Ops an outlined plan for a proposed operation to land 6 Jeeps and 18 men by Glider in the BELLUNO Area.
10The remaining Jeeps and personnel of 'B' and 'S' Patrols, together with 'R' patrol complete are concentrated in CERVIA for Sgdn Training.
11Capt. R P Yunnie MC is SOS on Posting to UK on Compassionate Grounds.
Lt. I McCallum is appointed 'B' Patrol Commander vide Capt. R P Yunnie.
CERVIA12/14Exercise with full Sqdn, including newly formed Mobile Supply Patrol.
15Capt. JEW Rickwood arrived at CERVIA from Base and resumed duties as 2 i/c.
16/18Exercise continued.
18Major JMC Caneri MC, visits Main HQ 8 Army to discuss future operations. PPA is placed under command 5 Corps.
19Major JMC Caneri visits 5 Corps to discuss operations.
20PPA is placed under command 56 Div, and attached 27 Lancers, CO visits 56 Dv HQ and Tac HQ 27 Lancers.
21PPA arrived at 0900 hrs SE of PORTO MAGGIORE M2770. Our task is to give protection to right flank of 27 Lancers. 'R' Patrol goes into action and clears area between DOGATO 3475 - OSTELLATO 3774 and LAKE COMMACHIO and take 22 POWs.
22'R' Patrol based on OSTELLATO exploits SE towards COMMACHIO, and ordered to contact 28 GARIBALDI Bde coming up from spit between LAGO COMMACHIO and sea, occupied LAGO SANTO M 5278 - MAROZZO 5279 and South part of CODIGORO 5183. Could not cross CANALE VOLANO owing to strong enemy opposition. 27 POWs inc 1 Officer taken.
'S' Patrol based on MIGLIARINO 3778 occupied MIGLIARO 4080 and MASSA FISCAGLIA 4382 - crossed CANALE VOLANO after having built a wooden bridge, by 1600 hrs pushed forward 5 miles just short of IOLANDA di SAVOIA 4190 and engaged enemy who retired. Withdrew for the night to MASSA FISCAGLIA. By 2000 hrs both 'S' and 'R' Ptls were concentrated in MASSA FISCAGLIA with 'B' Ptl. in reserve at 27 Lancer TAC HQ.
23'R' Ptl over bridge at MASSA FISCAGLIA and exploit NE, occupied MEZZO GORO 5092 and reached outskirts of ARIANO FERRARESE 5297, heavy opposition there - 13 POWs inc 1 Officer.
'S' Ptrl crossed bridge at MASSA FISCAGLIA and occupied IOLANDA di SAVOIA and engaged enemy position 2 miles north of town, captured 25 POWs and wounded one. Several engagements with enemy in whole area and during whole day. 'R' Ptl relieved by CRENONA at 1700 hrs and concentrated at MASSA FISCAGLIA (1 Division relieved 2 PPA Ptls.) 'S' Ptl withdrew for night 2300 hrs into MASSA FISCAGLIA. All area taken over by CREMONA Gp.
'B' ptl ordered to recce bridge south of COCCANILE 3295, and ran into an ambush at 1400 hrs just at entrance of village. Lt. I McCallum (299739) and 2067623 Spr. McDowall killed in action and Jeep destroyed. Patrol withdrew to Blitz HQ. Lt. MAC CADELL MC takes over command of 'B' Patrol
24CO estimated that there was nothing else at AMBROGIO for PPA south of the PO. PPA concentrated at AMBROGIO 3693.OC,PPA has conference with TAC Army, Main Army, 5 Corps 56 Div, and SNOLE Ravenna, after which Blitz and 3 Ptls move to PORTO CORSINI, arriving 2300 hrs.
253 Patrols and Blitz including Flamethrower Jeep and stores loaded onto RCLs in readiness to sail for landing at mouth of PO. Impossible to sail owing to bad weather.
266 RCLs with minesweeper escort sail at 0600 hrs, landing at mouth of PO at 1100 hrs - landing unopposed, local partisans having occupied the area beforehand. Blitz supply pt set up at CATIEPOLO 6997. River Po crossed by 2 Patrols at CAVERNIER 6998, crossing unopposed. R Ptl occupied BOCASETE 7604 and got information that partisans had occupied PORTO di LEVANTE. S Patrol went NW towards CONTARINA 6005, blown rds stopped progress. 'S' & 'R' Patrol spend night in CAVERNIER. 'B' Ptrl at CATIEPOLO. Political meeting at CATIEPOLO to straighten things out.
PO VALLEY27Cross PO with Blitz and 'B' Ptl. 'R' Ptl tried to reach ROSALINA 6211 via MEA 6505, met difficulties on crossing, Ptl Cmdr had RV with CO at LOREO 5809. Crossed ADIGE at 1800 hrs at SAN PIETRO di CAVARZERE and spent night there. CO and 'B' Ptl attempt to cross ADIGE at 6315 but met heavy artillery fire 200 yds north of bridge, abandoned idea to cross there. Crossed ADIGE at same point as 'R' Patrol at 1830 hrs and spent nighgt at CAVARZERE. 'S' Ptl. from CONTARINO to DONADO 6007- Porto di LEVANTE - LOREO and made contact with GARIBALDE Bde at TORNOVA 5814, crossed ADIGE at SAN PIETRO di CAVERZERE at 1400 hrs and went up to GORZONE CANALE and engaged enemy at DOLFINA 5718 taking 40 prisoners and captured bridge intact, attacking over the bridge the enemy retreated pursued over CANALE di CUORI 5822 towards CABIANCA 5924 where 1 Officer and 40 men surrendered. All enemy south of GORZONE CANALE then cut off and accepted surrender at 2000 hrs, patrol returned with 212 prisoners to SAN PIETRO di CAVARZERE spent night there, large quantities of supplies and materials taken.
28'R' Patrol crossed GORZONE CANALE at DELFINO and exploited NE towards CHIOCCIA arrived in front of BRONDOLO at 1300 hrs contacted Lt.George Hurn (USA) of OSS and fixed surrender of Garrison for 1600 hrs. Carrison consisted of: 1 Field Officer 16 Officers 670 OPrs, 8 x 88 mm guns one Battery of Coastal guns, innumerable 20 mm MGs, 15 armd barges, and all port equipment intact. 3 Forts surrendered food and ammo sufficient for 3 months. Electric plant intact.
'S' Ptl with 'B' also under command fanned out to N & NW respectively wit RV at BRENTA 5329, held there by strong enemy forces (800), Commander evaded surrender on the spot and said he would give a reply by 1700 hrs, and he decided to hold bridge strongly. It was impossible to attack until 0100 hrs of the 29th when relieved by infantry and tanks. Spent night in CIVE 5526.
After surrender of CHIOGGIA Garrison in the afternoon. CO went down road CHIOGGIA - CODIVIGO and bumped into 400 Germans at CODEVIGO, the bridge was saved intact. Germans refused to surrender and withdrew to fort.
29'R' and 'B' Patrols at CHIOGGIA disarming garrison.
'S' patrol intentions carried at CODEVIGO 5233- PIOVE di SACCO - CAMPO LONGO 4738 - LIEFFOLE 4541 - SABIOCELLO 4346. At VIGO NOVO they found 4 x 88 mm firing on PADOVA. Entering from the rear they charge the guns captured guns, predictors intact, 3 trucks and approx. 300 prisoners who were handed over to the Partisans. Contacted 12 Lancers at CAMIN 3947 and entered PADOVA just after them, then returned to CHIOGGIA.
'B' patrol left CIVE at 0700 hrs, intention to go due North to VENICE. At CAMPAGNO LUPIA 5142 engaged enemy taking 10 POSs and found 7 suicides. No contact with enmy up to DOLO 4950 which was reported empty by civilians, on entering DOLO was engaged by enemy in strength of approx 4 coys. Engaged by a minimum of 10 spanduas the patrol exhausted all ammunition in 45 minutes, in the course of the action 15 prisoners were taken, 7 killed and the village cleared of the enemy. Our own casualties 1 Killed, 1 Officer and 2 ORs wounded. Patrol returned to CHIOGIA.
30Roger Patrol left CHIOGGIA at 1330 hrs by passed VENICE and landed at 1800 hrs at PUNTA SABIONI 7952 and found bridge intact 8957, demined bridge. Enemy reported in strength at IESOLO 9462, recce up to IESOLO taking 30 prisoners, and 4 x 88 mm guns intact. Spent night at PUNTA SABIONI.
Major V Peniakoff DSO., MC., having returned from convalescence in ENGLAND rejoins unit and re-assumed cmd w.e.f. 28.April
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