German Defences

Termoli, three miles north of the mouth of the Biferno River and near the junction of the coast road with Highway 87, was the anchor of the extreme left end of the German defensive line in Italy. It was nonetheless not strongly garrisoned, and on 30 September 1943, Lieutenant-General Richard Heidrich, commander of the 1st German Parachute Division, sent a platoon of Fallschirmjäger to reinforce the garrison - a single understrength company of railway troops and another company of medical troops. He lacked the authority to send stronger forces without permission from his corps commander, and the 10th Army was made aware of the security concern late on 1 October by General-der-Panzertruppen Traugott Herr, in command of the 76th Panzer Corps. In response to these concerns, the 16th Panzer Division, withdrawn into army reserve a few days earlier, was sent to the east coast on the afternoon of 2 October.

Commando Landing on Termoli

"The most concentrated Commando landing in Mediterranean operations" occurred at 02:15hrs on 3 October when a Special Service Brigade, including No. 40 Royal Marine Commando, went ashore at Termoli with orders to capture the town and prevent the demolition of the valuable harbour and port facilities. The 11th Brigade of the British 78th Infantry Division was sent up Highway No. 16 to link up with them. Within six hours, the surprise landing had achieved its goal, and the port and town were secured in an undamaged state, the 11th Brigade crossing the river near a ruined road bridge and forming a defensive perimeter around the town.

Over the next two days, the remaining brigades of the 78th Division (the 36th and 38th (Irish)) reinforced the bridgehead, while guns and tanks were pushed across the river as aircraft duelled for possession of the skies overhead. Two Royal Navy destroyers also assisted with offshore fire in support of enemy positions.

The enemy, as always, was quick to react to this new threat, and on 4 October, two battle groups of the 16th Panzer Division hurried down the west side of the Biferno River, and launched a two-pronged effort from the road fork at Palata. Kampfgruppe von Doering (79th Panzergrenadier Regiment) moved from the south through Guglionesi and Kampfgruppe Stempel (64th Panzergrenadier Regiment) made a wide left flanking movement towards the coastal road to the west of Termoli itself.

They attacked early on the 5th, and in a series of sharp infantry-tank thrusts drove the defenders back to the outskirts of Termoli itself and all but broke through to the vital junction of Highway No. 16 and the Larino road. The position of the Termoli force was precarious (at one stage, when the enemy was reported within "three cables" of the town, the Senior Naval Officer began preparing for an evacuation); for more than 36 hours it had been virtually without armour-only six tanks of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), which was supporting the 11th Brigade, had been able to ford the rain-swollen Biferno. By mid-afternoon, however, the completion of a tank-bearing bridge enabled the remainder of the Sharpshooters to cross the river and enter the fray. Such was the situation when, shortly after 3:00 p.m., two squadrons of the Three Rivers Regiment arrived at Campomarino, a small village overlooking the right bank of the Biferno from Highway No. 16. On the night of 2-3 October Brigadier Wyman had been hurriedly ordered to place the Three Rivers under command of the 78th Division, as Eighth Army intelligence staffs gave warning of a probable armoured counterattack against the Termoli bridgehead. The long move from Manfredonia, where the regiment's tanks had just arrived by sea from Taranto, was made by forced stages over a route which followed many miles of muddy crosscountry trails.³

Terrain

The terrain at Termoli offered Canadian armour crews the best "tank country" of the war so far, with generally flat terrain and "attractive tactical possibilities (for) both the attack and the defence." Some "relatively high ground" facilitated stubborn German resistance, and while gullies blanketed with vines and olive groves could cover a friendly tank and infantry team, it "might also at the same time conceal hostile machine-guns or anti-tank weapons."

West of the broad Biferno flats the ground rose above Highway No. 87 in a low clay ridge, which was overlooked by the Piano della Croce, a long plateau about a mile wide stretching southward from Termoli and rising to a height of 1200 feet at Guglionesi. Along its western edge ran the secondary road from Termoli to Palata, passing through the village of San Giacomo about four miles inland. To sweep this double barrier from east to west and clear the San Giacomo road became the tasks of the Three Rivers Regiment. The next day (6 October) saw the 16th Panzer Division's supreme effort. The seizure of the eastern hinge-pin of the German line in Italy had caused concern at the highest enemy level. "The eyes of the whole Armed Forces High Command are on Termoli", the Tenth Army Operations Officer telephoned to his opposite number at Corps level late on the 4th, and added significantly, "The Führer wishes to be informed about the situation...." Vietinghoff's headquarters recorded: "The developments of the battle of Termoli are being watched at (Army Headquarters) with extreme suspense. "The attack is of considerable importance, and must succeed", the Army Commander told Herr. At the actual scene of operations the effect of this cumulative pressure appeared in von Doering's order of the 5th: "Termoli will be captured on 6 Oct." But Sieckenius had missed his chance by one day. By the evening of the 5th all three brigades of the 78th Division had joined the Special Service Brigade in the bridgehead, and with the timely reinforcement by the Canadian armour, the Divisional Commander, Major-General Vyvyan Evelegh, gave orders to go over to the offensive.⁴

Renewed Offensive

The three squadrons of The Three Rivers Regiment were employed separately on 6 October 1943, with varying degrees of success.

"C" Squadron

At 07:00hrs on 6 October, "C" Squadron of The Three Rivers Regiment, under command of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry, began its westward advance with the objective of cutting the lateral road, and securing the town of San Giacomo from the south. One battalion of the 36th Brigade (5th Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)) was ordered to follow the armour and consolidate any gains made. Heavy fire was met from an anti-tank screen placed in front of Guglionesi by the 79th Panzergrenadier Regiment. The British lost four tanks and the Canadians two, and the attack was halted by mid-morning short of the Croce plateau.

While unsuccessful, three soldiers were decorated for bravery under fire for the action. The citation of a Military Cross awarded to a troop commander reads:

On 6 October 1943 south of Termoli when his squadron was in action under command 3rd County of London Yeomanry, Lieutenant Wallace was in command of a troop when he was seriously wounded in the thigh and leg and his tank put out of action by enemy armour-piercing gunfire. While in  considerable pain and unable to get out of his tank he continued to throw smoke grenades until his crew could evacuate. By his coolness and presence of mind while seriously wounded and under heavy fire he undoubtedly saved his crew from further injury while evacuating their tank.

And for a Military Medal awarded to another tank commander:

On 6 October 1943, south of Termoli, when his squadron was in action under command 3rd County of London Yeomanry, Corporal Campbell's tank was repeatedly hit by armour piercing shells from (the) enemy and caught fire. Displaying great coolness and control, Corporal Campbell supervised the  evacuation of his crew, including one man wounded who he helped carry 100 yards to cover, and then returned for a seriously wounded British anti-tank gunner and Sergeant, who were both evacuated under heavy fire to safety.

And finally a second MM to a tank crewman:

On 6 October 1943, south of Termoli, when his squadron was in action under command 3rd County of London Yeomanry, the tank in which Trooper Collins was acting as Gunner Operator was put completely out of action by gunfire from enemy tanks. The Gunner was killed and the Troop Officer and driver seriously wounded, and the tank was burning. Trooper Collins, using skill and courage while under heavy fire from enemy tanks and small arms fire of enemy infantry dug in only 200 yards away, removed the wounded driver from the tank and dragged his wounded Troop Officer 50 yards to the shelter of another tank, and then returned and evacuated the driver, who died shortly afterwards. The coolness and bravery this soldier displayed undoubtedly saved the life of his Troop Leader and was a fine example to his comrades.⁵

"B" Squadron

During the left flanking movement of the 36th Brigade, "B" Squadron of The Three Rivers Regiment supported an attack by the 38th Brigade, attacking south-west from Termoli down the road toward San Giacomo. They also met fierce resistance, losing three tanks, but the way was cleared for an assault by the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's) and the 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The regimental association of the Royal Irish Rifles notes the following:

Operating with the 78th Division at this stage was the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, and a troop of the Three Rivers Regiment was attached to the battalion. They were absolutely first-class in every attack, and there was not a building, haystack, or suspicious piece of ground that did not receive their whole-hearted attention whenever an opportunity came.⁶

The squadron's attack was described in the award citation of its commander, Major James R. Walker:

At Termoli on 6th September 1943, Major Walker was in command of "B" Squadron of his regiment ordered to support an attack by 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Fusiliers on the high ground north of San Giacomo and enemy positions along the road from that point towards Termoli. Almost immediately after leaving the start line, opposition was encountered in the thick olive groves from enemy infantry with anti-tank guns and Mark III and IV tanks. One Sherman was knocked out and the attack slowed down. Major Walker, by skilfully manoeuvring his tanks in the closest cooperation with the leading companies, rapidly destroyed four enemy tanks and enabled the infantry to get into a large brick factory which was one of the principal enemy strong points.

During the subsequent advance to the high ground (Point 161), Major Walker's squadron knocked out two more Mark IV tanks and silenced machine gun posts, thus putting the leading companies on to the final objective. Subsequently, Major Walker assisted mopping up the position and remained forward until anti-tank guns had been established in position.

The skilful and offensive handling of the tank squadron by Major Walker was mainly responsible for the success of this attack and the low casualties caused by enemy small arms fire.⁷

The Canadian official history notes that the Canadian tanks "skillfully supported the infantry on to the objective" and that a large number of Germans were killed, in addition to claims by the squadron that eight enemy tanks were destroyed in addition to many transport vehicles.

This well executed thrust was the key to success in the battle for Termoli. With the enemy's hold on San Giacomo broken the 36th Brigade resumed its attack from the left and mopped up disorganized pockets of resistance on the Piano della Croce. At 4:35 p.m. the 16th Panzer Division reported to Corps Headquarters: "Enemy attack in brigade strength has crushed exhausted left wing of Battle Group Doering .... Orders have been given to withdraw to the area north of Guglionesi."⁸

"A" Squadron

"A" Squadron of The Three Rivers, coming up from reserve on the morning of 6 October, was able to assist the Irish Brigade in their mission of extending and securing the extreme right flank. They advanced west from the town of Termoli, supporting the 2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles, clearing ground between Highway 16 and the Torrente Sinarca two miles west. Several German machine-gun positions were destroyed and retreating enemy infantry was heavily punished.

Aftermath

At day's end, the Germans had been left thoroughly disorganized and in retreat, forced to withdraw well inland and further up the coast. The Three Rivers returned to divisional reserve the next day having lost 10 men killed or wounded, and five tanks destroyed or disabled.

Before the Regiment left the 78th Division the Commander of the Irish Brigade, Brigadier N. Russell, bestowed the brigade battle flag on Major J.R. Walker, commander of "B" Squadron. A warm tribute reached Brigadier Wyman from the 13th Corps Commander. "I have been speaking during the last two or three days to several of the units of the 78th Division and the S.S. Brigade which took part in the operations at Termoli", wrote General Dempsey. "Wherever I have been I have heard nothing but praise of the way in which Lt.-Col. Booth's regiment fought. There is no doubt that they played a very important part in bringing about the defeat of the 16th Panzer Division."⁹

Field-Marshal Kesselring, the Supreme Commander of German forces in Italy, paid a visit to the headquarters of the 16th Panzer Division on the evening of 7 October, just a day after the British and Canadian victory at Termoli, to help ascertain what had gone wrong for the German forces there. A month later, the German divisional commander left the division to enter the "Reserve of Higher Commanders" of the Armed Forces High Command.

Four Canadians were awarded bravery decorations for their part in the Termoli fighting. Major J.R. Walker, commanding "B" Squadron, and Lieutenant J.F. Wallace both received the Military Cross, while Corporal R.C. Campbell and Trooper J.W. Collins received Military Medals.

Tank crewmen of the 12th Canadian Tank Regiment (The Three Rivers Regiment) pose with the remains of a knocked out German PzKpfw IV at Termoli on 9 October 1943. From left to right, Lieutenant J.L. Jemmett, Trooper J.A. Reardon, Trooper R. Tremblay, and Lieutenant E. Stelfox. LAC photo

A tank crew of the 12th Canadian Tank Regiment (The Three Rivers Regiment) pose with their Sherman tank at Termoli on 15 October 1943. From left to right; Sergeant John Gallagher, Troopers Herb Easton, Bill Reid, Henry Brown and Frank Wurmlinger. LAC photo.

Battle Honours

The following Canadian unit was awarded the Battle Honour "Termoli" for participation in these actions:

1st Canadian Armoured Brigade

• 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Three Rivers Regiment)

Notes

1. McKay, Donald A. Gaudeamus Igitur "Therefore Rejoice" (Bunker to Bunker Books, Calgary, AB, 2005) ISBN 1894255534 p.77

2. Nicholson, Gerald Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War: Volume II: The Canadians in Italy (Queen's Printer, Ottawa, ON, 1957) p.235

3. Ibid, p.253. The source notes a "cable", a nautical term, is equivalent to six feet.

4. Ibid

5. Blatherwick, John and Hugh Halliday. Courage & Service: Second World War Awards to Canadians (Service Publications, Ottawa, ON) ISBN 1894581229

6. London Irish Rifles Association website. Accessed online at http://www.londonirishrifles.com/history-2/significant-events/83-october-1943-termoli on 20 Feb 2013

7. Blatherwick, John, Ibid

8. Nicholson, Ibid

9. Ibid p.255