"S" Troop Report
BATTLE REPORT of "S" Troop on Operation "ROAST"
1/2 Apr 45.
1/2 Apr 45.
| 2100 hrs 1 Apr | Mortars started to fire on "MATTHEW" I and II to cover "X" Tp who were putting stakes in the river bank. This firing was stopped after 5 minutes owing to the fact that "X" tp were not ready to start their work. |
| 2150 hrs | Covering fire for 30 minutes from I sec Mortars 40 R.M. Cdo (4 R.P.Min) and I sec 9 Cdo (2 R.P.Min). After this shoot new baseplate position had to be made because of the soft ground. |
| 2230 hrs | Troop "Stood To". |
| 0315 hrs 2 Apr | Owing to delay of assault troops Troop ordered to "Stand 2/3 Down". |
| 0430 hrs | "Stood To". |
| 0455 hrs | Codeword "ATTACK". Mortars and M.M.Gs commenced firing on their various tasks. Mortars (9Cdo & 40 Cdo) feint assault between 611561 am 624563. M.M.Gs (2 Sec 40 Cdo I Sec 43 Cdo) on H.F. & D.F. tasks between 632564 and 634567. |
| 0540 hrs | M.M.Gs ceased firing having fired approx 16 belts per gun. |
| 0610 hrs | Mortars ceased firing having fired approx 400 rds per mortar. Neither M.MGs or Mortars fired again. |
It was found that a rapid rate of fire could not be sustained for long with the mortars, owing to the barrels over-heating and consequent premature firing of secondaries.
Base-plates on Nos 2,3,4; mortars had to be taken out and rebedded twice during the shoot.
(2) No counter fire was experienced by either Mortars or M.M.Gs.
G.M. Russell.
Lieut R.M.
O.C. "S" Troop
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