On 23rd June 1944, 3rd King’s Own Hussars replaced North Irish Horse as the 17th Brigade’s Armoured regiment, and it was decided to sally once more into the upland ground which had been defended so obstinately.
This farewell attack succeeded brilliantly. In a single bound the Hussars cleared Piccione, five miles north of Ripa, caught the enemy by surprise and wrought havoc. Two hundred Germans were killed, 50 mules captured, and 1100 guns destroyed.
Gurkhas, Royal Fusiliers and Royal West Kents followed up to consolidate. Bitter fighting occurred at Columbella, where it was necessary to withdraw the West Kents and to beat up the area with artillery before the ground could be held.
The enemy bared his teeth at every attempt to infiltrate, and the situation was still involved when the advance parties from Tenth Indian Division arrived.
