51st Highland Division Operation Order No. 76
This Bn to mop up the Northern slopes of Pt 224 as far NORTH as the rd about 688823.
(b) PHASE "B" - One Bn to move behind the loading Bn and then at zero plus 100 mins to begin an advance from MASSA IAZZOVECCHIO 6800 to clear the spur running SE from Pt. 224 up to the rd about 697801. This advance to be covered by artillery concentrations on known enemy posns.
(c) Reorganisation The Bnd will be reorganised and dug in ready to meet a counter-attack by first light with :
(i) One Bn holding Pt. 224 area.
(ii) One Bn holding the Spur as far S.E. as 695801 and linking up with 13 Bde in SFERRO bridgehead.
(iii) One Bn in depth holding the S.W. slopes of the hill S.W. of Pt. 224, prepared for a counter attack role for Pt. 224.
8. 154 Bde Attack.
(a) One Bn to cross the rd SFERRO - CATENANUOVA about 668809 at Zero under cover of arty barrage to attack, capture and hold feature Pt,193.
(b) A strong fighting patrol to be located silently opposite enemy post at X-rds 658817 by Zero minus 1 hr to deal with it should it open fire on the forming up of either Bde attack.
9. Assembly of 152 and 154 Bdes.
Loading Bns of attacking Bdes will assemble in areas NORTH of M. TURCISIS on night D minus 1/.D. Those areas will be shown in the attached Trace "A". All tps in these areas will be kept under cover during daylight and Bdes will ensure that no movement is visible to enemy observation. 154 Bde will co-ordinate moves into these areas.
10. Axis of Leading Bdes.
Axis for movement of tpt will be :
152 Bde : rd and track junc 678773 - MASSA TURCISI 6678 - river crossing 669798 .
154 Bde : rd leading NORTHWARDS from rd 6476 - crossing 652813.
11. 153 Bde in Div reserve will :
(a) On relief D minus 1/D concentrate in area SOUTH or rd about 655762 and 6575.
(b) Provide Inf protective parties for M.Gs and Mortar supporting the 152 Bde attack from SFERRO bridgehead.
(c) From the SOUTHERN half of the Div base by holding M. TURCISI with one Bn from daylight on D.1 Day.
(d) Be prepared to support 13 Bde in SFERRO bridgehead with one Bn, if this is attacked.
12. 23 Armd Bde
One Sqn 50 R.T.R. under comd 51st Highland Division will assemble in area 6574 on "D" Day and will move by main rd through SFERRO approx to K.8 6879. On arrival Sqn comes under comd 152 Bde for close support of crest of hill 224 against counter-attack from first light. Arrangements for move are detailed in para 19
13. Artillery.
(a) The following additional is available :
Under comd : 11 R.H.A.
In support :
91 Fd Regt.
80 Med Regt
Bty 75 Med Regt
History Section Reference :
Sferro, Sicily
Museum Reference :
Documents - Sicily