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12
The Battle for Casa Elta

During a rest period at Fabriano, while I was away on furlough, the 22nd Battalion had lost its status as a motor battalion, was stripped of most of its transport and posted back to the 5th Brigade. With the loss of our transport went many of the home comforts associated with having platoon trucks, but we were allowed to keep our exclusive and distinctive fawn-coloured berets, which were of better quality than those worn by the rest of the infantry. We were the only unit in the division allowed to use these berets and this gave us quite a boost.

On November 24 divisional transport moved the battalion with Bert O'Reilly in command, to take over a position on the Lamone river from a British unit. Three nights later Lieutenant Forbes McHardy led a patrol to explore the river bank. Hearing some noise on the other side, he crossed over on his own to investigate, but was spotted by a machine gun page 149 post and killed instantly. He was a fine officer and sadly missed by us all. The two weeks spent on the banks of the Lamone involved very active patrolling and the new reinforcements, in particular, showed ability. Here 2nd Lieutenant Scotch Paterson was awarded a Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry.

The battalion was relieved on December 8 in time to see our boys win the Freyberg Cup in the Divisional rugby final after a very close contest with No 2 Ammunition Company. The only points were scored by our captain — Lin Thomas — who put over a perfect drop kick from a scrum in front of the goal posts just before half time. When the match was over the General very nearly presented his cup to the losing side but was quickly corrected by our boys.

Back into the line again six days later the battalion was involved in a testing encounter where, once again, the fog of war brought out the best in the individual on the spot. No 5 Brigade, with the 22nd on the left, the 23rd in the centre and the Maori Battalion on the right, were to attack over difficult broken ground mostly unsuitable for tanks and known to be heavily mined and strongly defended. This night attack went in under a shattering barrage which drew an immediate response and, to add to the attackers' problems, heavy rain soon turned to sleet. C Company, led by Major Lloyd Cross, had Casa Elta, sitting on a promontory about half a mile ahead, as its first objective. Casa Elta was a substantial stone farmhouse surrounded by outbuildings, isolated trees and several haystacks. Here was to unfold one of the epic encounters in the battalion's history.

15 Platoon, led by Lieutenant Brian Edinger, was on C Company's left. As he rose to yell, “Come on” to his platoon, he was wounded and Sergeant Doc Fowke took over. Soon both he and Sergeant Johnny Hughes were killed in a minefield and later, the last remaining NCO, Lance-Corporal page 150 Brian Galvin, was wounded. The nine men left in the platoon gathered together under Private Hugh Poland and pressed on until he was wounded. Private Ron Dixon took over and, a natural leader, he led his men in an assault which took two strong points, captured eight prisoners and then, with other isolated groups, took part in the eventual capture of Casa Elta. Dixon was awarded a Military Medal for outstanding bravery, being the sixth man to lead the platoon. This was a classic example of the leadership capability of the rank and file New Zealand infantryman. In the toughest circumstances a leader would always emerge.

Lance-Sergeant Len Seaman and about 10 men from 15 Platoon fought their way forward towards the left of Casa Elta, taking prisoners on the way until he was hit in the chest. His gallant actions during the night won him a Distinguished Conduct Medal. Private Harry McIvor, acting as section leader, stalked a machine gun post on his own and wiped it out with a Tommy gun, carried on and blew up another post with a grenade and then led his section on to the final assault on Casa Elta. For this he was awarded the Military Medal. Corporal Tony Clark of A Company distinguished himself when, under fire from two enemy machine gun posts, he crept forward and eliminated them both. He was also awarded the Military Medal. Doug Ellis, the signaller, was wounded in the hand and later in the side but refused to go back. It was not until he received his third wound in the thigh, which eventually cost him his leg, that he finally agreed to be taken out. Captain Johnny Johnston, a regular officer well known in the field of athletics, lost his leg in a mine field and was blown up twice more on the way back. Sergeant Mick Kenny, later a Maori All Black, received multiple wounds and was awarded a Mention in Dispatches.

Such actions were typical of what happened in the front line of an infantry night attack. Wireless sets were blown up page 151 with their operators, steep slippery gullies had to be negotiated, mine fields and trip wires lay in every direction. Meanwhile, mortar bombs and Spandaus were spitting forth their hate and a cold wind turning to sleet added to their misery. But these men were unstoppable. It took an extra day to reach their final objective on the banks of the Senio River, but reach it they did with the sheer determination, skill and bravery of typical New Zealand infantrymen. There was a deadly reality about what they were doing and they were constantly faced with crucial decisions.

At times their decisions were made instinctively according to the demands of the immediate situation. At others, when the question arose, “What do we do next?” the answer could mean the difference between life and death. For example, Forbes McHardy, on the banks of the Lamone River, had decided to cross the stop bank and investigate a suspected enemy post, leaving the rest of his patrol in relative safety. He advanced to his death. It is a tough life in the infantry and a natural instinct for survival is required but even that does not always work

The battalion's casualties amounted to 40, with five killed, and they took 124 prisoners, all from 36 Regiment of 90 Panzer Grenadier Division, a tough nut to crack. Engineers going over the ground later reported they had never encountered before such a quantity of mines and booby traps on any battlefield. The 22nd under Lieut. Colonel Bert O'Reilly had acquitted itself well but it had been a nasty encounter.

Christmas Day 1944 was spent in the line with little activity from either side. Padre Sergel visited every company and Christmas carols were sung in cellars and in stables. The troops messed in with local families, often in stables with their donkeys, cattle and poultry in a truly Christmas atmosphere. Five days later, the battalion was pulled out to rest at Forli, a page 152 small town some 12 miles behind the line. After a further two weeks stint in the snow-covered line on the banks of the Senio, the battalion pulled out and rested in Faenza in more comfortable billets. Here a further organisational change took place with the formation of the 9th Infantry Brigade under Brigadier Gentry, consisting of the 22nd, the Divisional Cavalry and the 27th Machine Gun Battalion. This added a third infantry brigade to the division and gave the General much greater flexibility.

A period of training for 9th Brigade followed, ironing out all the problems of a new command, and on March 24 I arrived back and took over from Bert O'Reilly, with Major Colin Armstrong my second in command.

When war broke out, Bert had been a 33 year old school teacher. He joined us as a lieutenant before the battalion left for Syria early in 1942 and served with distinction as a platoon, company and battalion commander. He was awarded a Military Cross and Mentioned in Dispatches, and wounded twice in the process. The troops held him in high regard as he had proved himself to be an outstanding soldier. With the Tongariro draft of 113 long serving troops from the battalion, he was now due for furlough and a battalion parade gave them all a rousing send off. During my absence, and soon after taking command, he had to conduct the very difficult set piece night attack at Casa Elta which, after several set backs, proved completely successful. He had served his country and his battalion well and the war was over before he had finished his furlough.

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R and R in Egypt.

Cassino.

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Trieste.

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War and peace.