March 1945
For February, 212 Bty of 111 Fd Regt had been based in Santeramo in Colle, about 23 miles inland south of Bari Soon the entire 111 Fd Regt would be moving from south-east Italy to the front lines in near Lucca in north-west Italy, some 375 miles away. Here, 111 Fd Regt would be fighting alongside the multi-ethnic US Fifth Army involving primarily segregated Black American soldiers as well as men from the Brazilian Expeditionary Force.
| 1st March 1945 – Gravina |
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| CO left for EBOLI to visit School of Artillery |
| 3rd March 1945 – Gravina |
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| Signal received from LFA indicating move of Regt to 8th Army Area on 6th March, later amended to 5th Army on 9th March. |
| 17:00hrs – 2 i/c left for the Army area but redirected to 5th. |
| 4th March 1945 – Gravina |
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| 17:00hrs – C.O. returned from EBOLI |
| 5th March 1945 – Gravina |
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| Brigadier G. M. O. Davy, CBE (Commander LFA) and Colonel T. de F. JAGO (Chief of Staff LFA) visited RHQ for farewell luncheon. |
| 16:30hrs – Major DANIEL, Captains CUTRESS and ROBINS, Lieutenants ANGUS, STEEVES, HAYES and Lieutenant (QM) NAIRN returned from ROME. |
| 6th March 1945 – Gravina |
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| Comparative calibration carried out on GRAVINA range followed by Regt concentrations after adoption of new M.Vs. |
| CO addressed Regt on forthcoming move. |
| 9th March confirmed by LFA as date of move. |
| 7th March 1945 – Gravina |
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| Captains HART, MacLEOD CAREY and PITT left for LUCCA. |
| 8th March 1945 – Gravina |
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| Preparation for move to LUCCA Movement Order No. 1 issued |
| 9th March 1945 – Gravina |
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| 07:00hrs – Regt moved in accordance with Movement Order |
“Today, the big day – on the road again. LFA was to be broken up and we – well there were various rumours from raiding Norway to having a go at Trieste. However, we moved north leaving Santeramo at first light in order to avoid the maddening crowds – Bill had been on the plonk the previous evening and the first part of the journey was exciting – we made Foggia first day, then on through Rome. We only touched the outskirts and didn’t see very much of it, through Civitavecchia, Leghorn and up to Pisa – I didn’t see very much going through Pisa because a wireless lead in the back of the truck came loose and we had quite a fire. However, we managed to catch a glimpse of the tower.
Then through Lucca and on March 12th we laagered by the roadside and had a conference. The Regiment was to support the 92nd American Div. – the famous all-black division of the Fifth Army. The battery was to be detached and to support the 365 Infantry Regiment. So next day off I went on a recce and the guns were in action a couple of days later.”
Diary entry from 9th March 1945 from Sgt Observer Frederick Sidney Williams, 212 Bty, 111 Fd Regt in his family’s memoirs “Our Fred’s War”.
212 Bty temporarily splits from rest of 111 Fd Regt
On 13th March 1945, as the rest of 111 Fd Regt linked up with the U.S. 473 Infantry Regt, J212 Bty were detached to go and support the U.S. 365th Infantry Regt. Both the 473rd and 365th Infantry Regiments were part of the U.S. 92nd Division (known as the “Buffalo Soldiers”) comprised almost entirely of black soldiers due to segregation laws in the U.S. prohibiting those of non-white races serving alongside white soldiers.
Due to 111 Fd Regt and 212 Bty being split in order to support different infantry regiments, their War Diaries were also written separately. The journey of both the 111 Fd Regt, and 212 Bty will continue below, however the diary entries will be displayed separately. Operational Instructions and Intelligence Summaries were still, for the most part, applicable to both 212 Bty and the wider 111 Fd Regt.
| 13th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| Arrived GHIVIZZANO (Map ITALY 1:25,000 97 III SW) A list of vehicle casualties appears as an Appendix. The Regt came under operational command of IV US Corps, administered by 10 AGRA. Role: – 111 Fd Regt RA less one Bty support of 473 Infantry Regiment with under command: – P. Bty 17 Medium Regt RA – 8 x 5.5” guns. 1 section B Tp, 103 Bty, 26 LAA Regt, RA – 3 x 40mm Bofors 597 FA Bn – 12 x 105mm Howitzers B/760 Tanks – 9 x 75mm Guns 473 Cannon Coy – 6 x 105mm Cannons This was the formation of 111 Fd Arty Group. |
| 212 Bty (Major J. B. H. Daniel RA) was detached in support of 365 Infantry Regt in area SAN MARCELLO (1:25,000 97 II SW) See Operational Order No. 1. |
| A form “Missions Completed” has be supplied daily by 10 AGRA to 92 (US) Infantry Division Adv, 92 (US) Infantry Division Arty FDC, IV Corps Arty FDC and copy to Liaison Officer at 473 Infantry Regt, this was carried out by 111 Fd Arty Group and copies will be found as Appendices. |
| 13th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| 05:45hrs – Battery O and G groups left leaguer area with Regimental advance party to R.V. 10:00hrs at Q2393. |
| 09:50hrs – Advance party rep at R.V. directed O and G groups to new leaguer area L536400. CPO and GPO directed to gun area 415014 area Mammiano Basso. |
| Verbal orders from B.C. No written orders received. Enemy – 3 Btn 5 San Marco Regt (Italians with stiffening of German NCOs and Officers) with elements of 4 Mountain Btn hold Bolgoni 413114, Cima Tauffe 398128 and Libro Aperto 372128, dormant peaks on the right flank of Lima valley. On the valley road they hold Pianosinatico 382087, Le Regine 351101 and area NW. On left flank dominant features of La Serra 375083, Monte Gomito 315099 and Alpe Tre Potenza 3009. Own troops II Btn 365 (U.S.) Infantry Regiment hold Cutigliano 4006, Sestaione 397065, Pian degli Ontani 379068. Partisans hold Monte Spigolino 438093 and are active throughout mountainous areas on both flanks. |
| Role of the Bty would be to support 365 Regt Arty at present supporting the infantry would shortly be pulling out. Infantry had requested arty support as far as Passo del Abetone 333117 where enemy artillery was believed located. For Operational Control, Bty would come under IV U.S. Corps. Administrative control would be by RHQ 111 Fd Regt under 10 AGRA. |
| Bty would move from present leaguer area into Bty position 415014 at 140830 A. This did not give fire on Abetone, as soon as forward Platoon of American Arty pulled out of its position at 408051 a section from “D” troop would be sent forward to occupy it. O.P. would be recced 14th March and occupied at first light. Until this OP was established American O.P. would remain in position. A Liaison Officer would be attached permanently to Btn. Captain Cutress M.C. RA and Captain Pitt RA would do these jobs on alternate days. |
| Communications line would be laid direct from Bty position to O.P. passing through Btn HQ. This would be the responsibility of the Bty. |
| Until this line was through existing Infantry line to Btn would be used. Liaison Officer and O.P. would communicate by 18 Set. Alternative means of communication would be by 22 Set. Infantry Regt would lay line direct to Bty Exchange. |
| 14th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| 12:00hrs – 211 Bty (Captain J. E. J. WOODWARD, MCRA) and 476 Bty (Major E. M. WINTERBOTTOM RA) deployed and in action as follows and started registration of DF, HF and SOS tasks: 211 Bty CP 195003 A Tp 197004 B Tp 199006 ZL 330° 476 Bty CP 187023 E Tp 190023 F Tp 188021 ZL 330° |
| Liaison Officers were supplied to 473 Regt as follows:- 473 Regt HQ (CATOROZZO 175016) Lieutenant Colonel D. J. F. GRANT, M.B.E RA. I Bn (L.O. RED) Major E. M. WINTERBOTTOM RA at 146003 II Bn (L.O. WHITE) Captain J. E. J. WOODWARD MC RA at BARGA 1804 III Bn (L. O. BLUE) Captain F. D’A. WILSON MC RA at 181045. |
| OP’s were established: 211 Bty Captain J. L. HART RA at 201079 named ‘WOODY’ II Bn. 476 Bty Captain MacLEOD-CAREY RA at pt. 662 126028 called ‘TEDDY’ 1 Bn. Lieutenant J. R. SHAW RA at 169045 called ‘JOHNNY’III Bn. The front at this time quiet, the enemy on the defensive and activity confined to night patrols from both sides. |
| 212 Bty was in action:- CP 415013 C Tp 415015 D Tp 415014 ZL 350° (97 II SW) OP Captain J. S. CUTRESS MC RA 409076 (97 II NW) |
| 14th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| 08:30hrs – Battery left leauger area. |
| 10:50hrs – “C” Troop in action P.G. 541492 401410 – Zero Line 350° |
| 11:00hrs – “D” Troop in action P.G. 541520 401380 – Zero Line 350° |
| Battery CP and exchange were sited in house on road about 100 yrds behind “D” Troop. No calls for fire were made from infantry and no registration carried out during day. |
“Our gun position was in a very pleasant spot. Between two villages. Mammiano on top of a hill and on the main road, and Mammiano Basso in the valley below. My command post was in a house exactly half way between the two and in line. It was on a sandy road winding down from the main road to the village below. It was cushy. His artillery was able to reach us, which was the main thing. All we had to do was hold the place. Opposing us were elements of the 4th Mountain Bn. And the 5th San Marco Div., a motley crowd of Italians and mixed Europeans. Nevertheless, we had a flap or two – the Negroes panicked if they saw one or two of the enemy and we had some stand to’s during several nights but on the whole it was cushy.
In the command post house lived two family’s, they each had two rooms downstairs and two upstairs and they each gave us the front downstairs room; one we used as an exchange and one as CP. The old gal and her husband who owned the house and who comprised one family said they only needed one room upstairs and so loaned us the back bedroom in which we acks slept. I had a pukka bed. That was the best campaign I ever fought.
The other family consisted of man and wife (I forget their names) and four children – a boy, Alexandro, 12 and the girls – Maria Gracia, 4 – Ambretta, 8, Lauridana, 13 – I don’t know which I loved most and the signora was again “in famiglia”. She was fine, mothered her kids who were the sweetest I’ve ever seen in Italy, did my laundry and endless other odd jobs and was most embarrassed if I offered payment. I once gave her a packet of needles, an old pair of socks, some soap, cotton and biscuits and she was happy as anything.
Most of the boys found homes there and for months afterwards went back to spend their leaves there – lovely girls – some of the boys were getting quite serious with their courtships. I was sorry to leave. The impending battle finally broke and while the 4th Mtn. Div. were breaking through at Bologna, our infantry had to stretch their boundaries.”
Diary entry from 14th March 1945 from Sgt Observer Frederick Sidney Williams, 212 Bty, 111 Fd Regt in his family’s memoirs “Our Fred’s War”.
| 15th – 17th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| Front remained quiet. Enemy shelling and mortaring of Infantry Forward Defended Localities being on a small scale, averaging 50/60 light arty shells and 100 mortar bombs per day. Infantry patrols out nightly and harassing fire put down in accordance with requirements of infantry. Owing to shortage of ammunition most of this has to be provided by the 597 FA Bn (US) 760 Tank Bn (US) and 473 Cannon Company. |
| Captain J. L. HART RA established OP at RENAIO 221081 known as ALEC. |
| 111 Fd Arty Group OP instruction no. 1 was issued. |
| 15th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| 06:50hrs – Captain Cutress established O.P. at 409077 during morning registration of the zone was started. Restriction of ammunition to 10 r.p.g. per day kept this to a minimum. Observation was found extremely difficult owing to mountainous nature of county. The presence of closely knit pine woods, and the fact that ammunition received contained only a small amount of shell with smoke-box. Owing to the small allotment, little ammunition could be spared for fire for effect. |
| 13:00hrs – Information received that American Arty would be pulling out that night. “D” troop were therefore ordered to be prepared to send a section under Lieutenant W. B. Steves R.A. to position at 407051, due to be evacuated by one Platoon of S.Ps. It was arranged that period from dusk to midnight be used for withdrawal of American Artillery and period midnight to dawn be used by “D” troop section for occupation. |
| During day R.S.O. carried out survey of troop positions linking forward with rear guns. Line was also passed to troop of Infantry Cannon guns which had moved into positions at Spignana. |
| These guns were not placed under our operational control but we were asked to advise them and to liaise closely with them. |
| Major Daniel R.A. pressed that they be placed directly under his command in order to achieve maximum fire control and power. |
| Wireless set for communication with Air. O.P. was received from IV Corps Arty. Air O.P. would be available on request from IV Corps for specific missions but not normally for general observation owing to shortage of planes. |
| 16th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| 07:00hrs – “D” troop section in action at 540768 405126. 6 guns at rear position combined in one composite troop owing to proximity of troop positions and shortage of officers. This would release Lieutenant Reay R.A. (“D” troop G.P.O) to establish temporary O.P. with the Italian Partisans on Monte Spigolino and give instruction to personnel of an American Infantry OP already established there, so that the fire of the Bty could be directed in support of the Partisans if required. B.C. ordered that this O.P. be established by first light 18th March. |
| During the day about 58 rounds enemy shelling were received in scattered areas of the front. Sound bearings indicated that guns were in the Abetone area. This area could not be observed by ground O.P. IV Corps were therefore requested to send Air O.P. next morning to register where guns had been reported by civilians and deserters. |
| Enemy activity and movement slight during the day. |
| 17th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| 06:50hrs – O.P. took up new position on forward slope of hill 40800775. This gave better observation of Le Regine 351101 which was confirmed as an enemy company area. |
| 08:30hrs – Air O.P. netted to Bty but unable to observe cemetery owing to denseness of trees he therefore registered “D” forward section on Hotel Excelsior in Abetone, reported as enemy ammo dump. Using building as datum point enemy gun areas were harassed. |
| Little enemy activity during the day. |
| 18th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| H.F. List No. 6 and 111 Fd Arty Gp Location Statement No. 1 issued. |
| 18th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| 07:00hrs – New OP established on Monte Spigolino. Communication by infantry line and by 18 Set to 22 Set at “D” troop forward section. During the day slightly more enemy movement seen than usual and enemy shelling appeared to be increasing. The enemy had apparently achieved observation on “D” forward section as retaliatory enemy fire was received when the forward guns fired. Enemy shelling was accurate but caused no damage or casualties. |
| 19th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| During the night considerable mortaring of our positions in SERCHIO VALLEY took place. A fighting patrol from III Bn 473 became involved in a firefight at 05:15hrs. DF tasks No. 81 and 82 (Sq 1706) from E Troop 476 Bty and B Troop 17 Medium was pit down to assist their return. No casualties were suffered. |
| 12:00hrs – 211 Bty had moved to a more covered position in square 1901 and were in action. |
| 473 Infantry Regt Op Memo No. 2 dealing with counter-battery and counter mortar measures and stressing the importance of quick and accurate reports was issued. |
| 19:30hrs – Sound bearings from various OPs gave intersections of mortar positions and flying OP was requested to make sorties for the purpose of further identification. |
| 19th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| During daylight generally quiet. |
| 18:05hrs – Report received that enemy infantry were present in Pianosinatico in larger than numbers than usual and were moving into night positions. Pianosinatico was therefore heavily harassed. |
| 22:50hrs – Message from Army “A wholly reliable source states that special troops of a Btn of San Marco Division are preparing to attack our positions at Pian degli Ontani and in front of Cutiglaino. They will use demolitions. The attack is scheduled for night 19/20 March. |
| Battery therefore stood ready to fire appropriate D.F’s at short notice. No attack developed. Air O.P. was requested to come over as early as possible that morning to see if any unusual movement was visible. |
| 20th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| 09:35hrs – CB Office (17 Med Regt RA) reported alleged Medium shelling in areas 1505 GALLICANO 1403, 1202, 1402, 1805 a total of 19 rounds. Examination of fragments however indicated 105mm shell. Owing to shortage of officers in 17 Medium Regt we are asked to man their OP 183037 by night. Lieutenant T. P. ALLEN RA (RHQ) performed this duty from 20th to 23rd. |
| 20th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| Air O.P. unable to take off in the morning owning to mechanical defects. In afternoon it registered several areas of Abetone where guns were reported. A specials sortie was made towards last light but nothing unusual was seen. Enemy activity did not appear to be increasing though D FWD XN was harassed intermittently during the day. |
| 21st March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| 15:00hrs – A propaganda shoot was carried out by 211 Bty, 100 shell filled with leaflets printed in Polish being fired. This was followed at 18:30hrs by an address over loudspeakers in the same language by Psychological Warfare Branch (PWB) on the conclusion of which the group fired a scale 1 concentration into the village of FIATTONE. A fire plan for this appears as Appendix D6. |
| 21st March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| O.P withdrawn from Monte Spigolino. Captain Knox, 365 U.S. Infantry Regt in charge of infantry O.P. empowered to call for fire from Bty. Observations to be given using cardinal point procedure. |
| Enemy movement slight during day though Partisans reported working party of 30 men on CIMA TAUFFI 398128. |
| 22nd March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| The enemy responded with 15 mortar bombs in the vicinity of broadcast unit. Captain J. E. J. WOODWARD MC RA (211 Bty) with Infantry escort carried out long distance patrol see Appendix J4. |
| Raids were to be carried out by a platoon from each of I and II Bn 473 Infantry Regt and a fire plan was made giving HF in preparation for and targets at call during the operation. 291 rounds HE were fired in all as HF and DF. The raiding party to BRUCCIANO met opposition in the village square abd was driven out by SA fire and grenades leaving their officer wounded. The other party drew SA and mortar fire from C di MATTE 1405 but returned intact. |
| 22nd March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| Interest mainly centred on mountain ridge on right flank where several small enemy working-parties were reported digging-in on peaks. They were engaged and dispersed by Bty, with observations from infantry O.P. on Monte Spigolino. |
| On immediate front enemy activity was slight and only 9 rounds of enemy artillery were received. |
| 23rd March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| A quiet day. Brigadier Maxwell (10 CAGRA) called bringing Brigadier Morley (7 CAGRA0 to introduce the latter to the group. |
| 23rd March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| Very quiet all day, though FWD XN was consistently engaged whenever it fired. |
| 24th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| 12:00hrs – 7 AGRA took over from 10 AGRA in same locality (SILLA L.9515). |
| An additional HF list No. 7 was issued. |
| The “missions completed” form was made more comprehensive and its publication increased down to Btys. The daily Intelligence Summaries being included in its publication was discontinued. |
| II Bn 473 Regt was relieved by I Bn 371 (Coloured Troops). |
| 19:20hrs – TEDDY OP reported heavy mortaring of CALOMINI village and an attack was expected but things quietened down after dark. |
| 24th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| During daylight all quiet with little enemy movement seen. |
| 22:30hrs – E Coy at Pian Degni Ontani reported that they were being attacked by enemy raiding party, estimated 75 men. Support was being given by enemy mortars but no guns appeared to be firing. E Coy Command Post had sustained a direct hit from an enemy Piat or mortar bomb. |
| Bty fired several D.F. tasks with corrections from enemy mortar officer. |
| 23:20hrs – Enemy raid apparently petering out. Mortar fire very much reduced and only spasmodic small-arms fire. Line between E Coy and Btn HQ had been cut and information was vague. The Bty therefore stood by ready to fire at call but northing further developed. |
| 25th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| A patrol from III Bn 473 suffered casualties on a minefield and were pinned down, a relief patrol were sent out to bring them in. The Arty Group quickly formed a smoke fire plan to cover this operation but the patrols took refuge in a house and smoke was not called for. Patrols were later captured. |
| 25th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| 09:20hrs – Information received that 2 infantry slightly wounded during raid of previous night. No other casualties. Casualties inflicted on enemy not known but they left bazooka and various small-arms behind. Strength believed to be thirty men. |
| During day enemy artillery was fairly active, D FWD XN being consistently harassed, but enemy ground activity appeared slight. |
| 26th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| 13:15hrs – Major Daniel R.A. called to conference at 365 Regt C.P. Returned with the following information: Cannon Coy would henceforth operate under direct operational control of Major Daniel, or his deputy. Ammunition allotment would be increased as follows: Period 18:00hrs 28 March – 18:00hrs 30 March – 15 r.p.g. per day. Period 18:00hrs 30 March – 18:00hrs 7 April – 17 r.p.g. per day. Period 18:00hrs 7 April – 18:00hrs 14 April – 20 r.p.g. per day. |
| The reason for this allotment was that the 5th Army would soon be passing over to the offensive. A gradual increase of artillery fire and aggressiveness was desirable over the entire army front, to cover the exact area of the attack. |
| The additional allotment would be used to engage known enemy locations more heavily than previously and to build up a reserve of ammunition to support raiding parties and patrols. |
| 27th March 1945 – 212 Bty – Mammiano Basso |
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| A very quiet day with visibility bad all day. Abetone and Le Regina harassed by predicted fire. |
| 28th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| A letter was received from HQ IV Corps authorising additional expenditure of ammunition for the following purposes: – (a) An increase in the volume of fire for effect on profitable targets. (b) A gradual increase in the number of targets attacked. (c) Use of artillery fire for deception as to D. Day and H. Hour. |
| 29th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| On basis of above letter 111 Fd Arty Group Operational Instruction No. 3 was issued with addendum. This dealt with ammunition expenditure. |
| Flying OP was busily engaged upon registration of HF tasks. |
| 30th March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| An uneventful day. Arrangements made to practice MIKE targets daily. 111 Arty Group Operational Instruction deals with engagements of Group Targets. |
| 30th March 1945 – 212 Bty– Mammiano Basso |
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| Above policy continued. Enemy artillery activity in reply increased, but general ground activity remained slight. |
| During evening 30/31 March a relief of personnel at FWD XN was carried out. Guns were not moved. |
| During all this period it had been the intention of the Bty Commander to get more of the Bty’s guns in a position to cover the area of Abetone. Detailed reconnaissance had proved, however, that the position occupied by D FWD XN was the only feasible gun area along the direct route La Lima – Cutigliano. Gun areas suitable for two troops had, however, been found in the area of 4104. The bridge at 414036 was suitable for only 1/4 ton trucks and would not bear weight of guns or maintenance traffic. 365 Infantry Regt had therefore been asked to apply for engineers and material to rebuild the bridge at least up to Class 5 standard. These had not at first been available but by morning 30 March an Italian Engineers Coy had been released for this work and it was reported that the bridge would be completed by nightfall 31 March. |
| Sufficient officer and technical personnel were not available to split the Bty into three distinct combatant units. It was therefore decided to move “C” troop complete to the new gun area and to withdraw the FWN XN of “D” troop to form one complete troop at rear position. Cannon Coy whose limited range (7500 yrds) mad their present position effective for only defensive tasks, were ordered to occupy the other troop position. |
| Move to new position would be made during darkness 31 March/1 April. Cannon Coy move at last light. When in position, “C” troop would be ordered to move. “D” troop FWD XN would withdraw when “C” troop were in action. |
| 31st March 1945 – 111 Fd Regt – Ghivizzano |
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| In view of a current rumour that the enemy planned an attack on April 1, it was decided to simulate an attack by sending out strong raiding parties from 473 Regt at first light April 1st. |
| The operation was to be supported by HF concentrations, CB fire and targets at call, this was the substance of 111 Fd Arty Group Task Table No. 2. |
| This operation was laid on hastily the date being put back from 2 to 1 April to counter the treat of possible enemy attack. |
| 1051 rounds HE and 253 rounds smoke were fired. The simulated attack was successful in as much as no enemy attack developed, 3 P.o.W’s were taken, we suffered no casualties. |
| 31st March 1945 – 212 Bty– Mammiano Basso |
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| During day survey data completed for new gun positions. “C” troop 4155 0544, Cannon Coy 415 055. |
| Little enemy activity during the day. |
| 23:45hrs – Move completed without incident. Cannon Coy and “C” troop in action in new positions. “D” troop in action in rear position. |