4th Troop ‘A’ Squadron, 4th Queen’s Own Hussars.
John Charles Hill, ex-Cpl MM, 4th Troop.
On 23rd April 1944, we left Egypt bound for Northern Italy, arriving on the 4th of May at Taranto, our Regiment being the Armoured Recce for the 1st Armoured Division, whose Divisional sign was the Rhino.
On 11th August 1944, we moved towards the now-famous Gothic Line — in one sense the last real stronghold of the German Forces. We moved along also that now-famous Boot track, our tank filled up with maps beside all additional arms. What a journey.
Eventually, we reached the forward areas, hearing the clump of Jerry artillery, and at this stage, our driver, Tich Purvis, remarked that those wicked men were firing at us. I can remember that our tank stopped overlooking a forward ridge that turned out to be the now-famous Coriano Ridge.
In front were Gurkhas, and obligingly they gave us all a cup of tea. It was damned cold, being the early hours of the morning, and it certainly was appreciated.
With hindsight from the Regimental history, we realise that the Regiment had been lost. But in true tradition, the Commanding Officer, Col Kidd, cracked a bottle of whisky, and lo and behold the Regiment knew where they were, the lost Squadron finding the Regimental Commander. From then on, all went well.
Coriano proved to be a hell of a strong point. Our ‘HQ’ Recce Squadron was badly mauled. From reports coming back, it was believed that members of a tank crew were still alive. Volunteers were asked for, in an attempt to rescue them if possible. Lt Phillips and the bulk of the Troop did volunteer (genuine — no detailing).
I cannot remember the names of all involved except for Lt Phillips, Sgt Broderick, the MO who I believe was Doctor Leigh, and Nick Carter. Bob Lowden wanted to come but we said no, he was married.
We set off in parties of two with a stretcher to each party; we had Tommy Guns in addition to our normal revolver, and extra bandoliers of Tommy ammunition. Leading the column was Lt Phillips with Sgt Broderick. In fact, the leading file had too much ammo and the MO and myself offered to ease the burden until such time as we reached Jerry lines.
We passed through the Canadian lines, giving the password, ‘Top Hat’, and continued in single file along the trenches. Jerry must have been on the alert because he started to shell the area.
On the initial burst, down went the MO, and I thought that he had had it. After a few seconds, I gave him a jolt and whispered ‘Are you OK?’ The reply was ‘Yes’. I said, ‘Well come on then, let’s get moving, otherwise, we will lose the Troop Officer’.
Again a few more shells came over and this time the MO stopped down longer. However, at this stage, we had lost contact with Lt Phillips, but we still had Sgt Broderick’s Tommy ammunition. I said to the MO, ‘This is a right affair, the only thing we can do is push on to our objective in the hope that we can contact the leading file’.
On reaching the objective we found that the tanks were well and truly covered by Jerry, by machine guns on a fixed line, the least sound or movement and they opened up. It would have been suicide to even attempt anything because the occupants were dead anyway.
It was then that Lt Phillips and Sgt Broderick rejoined us, inquiring what had happened. The MO explained and Lt Phillips said: ‘Don’t ever worry about the ones that pass, it is the ones you don’t hear that cause the trouble’.
However, they had progressed further towards some barn or house, and hearing voices they rushed in, Broderick saying, ‘Come on out, you are covered’. A Canadian voice said: ‘Guy if you are going to shoot then put a mag on your gun. We have wounded Canadians and our blokes are coming to collect us’.
We then proceeded towards our own lines and were challenged by a Canadian patrol, giving the password. There were a lot of queries because while telling us the password going through they forgot to tell us the password changed at 2359 hrs. However, they were on their way to pick up their colleagues and we returned to our own lines.
The Troop was congratulated by Major Vaughan for the unsuccessful journey.
We then as a Squadron seemed to be deployed everywhere. At one time we were acting as artillery support for the Gurkhas. The whole Squadron lined up on a forward slope with orders to fire all ammunition in the tanks, i.e., 75m AP, HE and Browning small arms. What a show, and what a sight to see the formidable Gurkhas going in — it was more like a tea party. The Gurkhas obtained their objective.
Somewhere about that time, Lofty Sear (the poacher of the Troop) managed to capture a beehive, and during that short time, we of the Troop enjoyed honey, and indeed the Squadron Leader and all of the Squadron as well. Even though the bees were more annoying than Jerry.
Also about this time, Lt Phillips was wounded while making a recce. He was replaced by Lt Jackson who, directly on taking over, moved our position. On doing so, Jerry must have been observing and an almighty bang was heard and showers of earth came into the tank. My thoughts were, ‘Hell, Titch Purvis has had it,’ but in a true Geordie fashion he said, ‘What the hell did you move for?’.
On investigation, on the front of the Sherman was a complete ridge extending about 14″ caused by shrapnel. I cannot remember the actual depth, but by hell, we were lucky — true to the Saint emblem.
The next stunt we were involved in was on a rapid advance that was made towards Toile, stopping only because the bridge over the river was blown; our infantry support was the 60th.
This advance was reported to Rear ‘HQ’ and beyond because someone must have had the facts wrong because I remember a column of soft vehicles coming up the road, and the leading file asked me where the front was. I said: ‘That tank in front of me is my Troop leader, that house on the other side of the river is in the hands of Jerry, so if I were you I would get the hell out of here before Jerry starts performing’. He saw my Troop officer, and I have never seen vehicles move so quickly.
Anyway, the rains set in and the river became a raging torrent. Jerry counter-attacked, and shortly after that, we pulled out of the line.
Another encounter was when we had crossed a river at first light and although being under constant mortar fire all day, believe it or not, we had no casualties Cpl Beet, as he was then, made a most successful recce under fire, and I believe he was awarded the MM for that stunt. Again the rains set in and our CO ordered the Squadron to withdraw.
On doing so, someone noticed a bicycle in a farmyard. Our infantry friends investigated, and lo and behold found a German in the attic. He was the OP for the Jerry mortar sections. Thank God he was hopeless, the only victims were our bedrolls.
Again, at about that time we pulled back and all our crews decided to sleep in the tanks, initially, but one member backed out and dug a slit trench on the forward slope. Lo and behold, the heavens opened up and in the early hours of the morning a tap on the side of the tank woke up a member of the crew. Our colleague’s trench had filled up with water, and so the slogan must surely be ‘When in doubt, kip in — not out’.
Another stunt was when an officer, JNCO and a party of Troopers were ordered near the forward area with a 3-ton truck. We were told to go in every cafe and talk about the Brigade moving up quite freely and to draw rations from the Canadians. We were with the 9th Armoured Brigade, the sign was a white horse on a green background.
What a generous QM the Canadians had! He said, ‘How many in the party?’ and I gave the true figures. He again asked so I trebled — truly a generous man, long may they reign. We had four days of pleasure, plenty to eat, but then one morning the Regiment did appear, and away to the forward areas we went.
In the winter line in the late hours of the 3rd January 1945, we had our first fatal casualties, LSgt Beet MM, Tprs Robert John Lowden, Frank Barlow and Roy Cunningham. The only satisfaction was that we did avenge their loss.
Saint Troop did achieve something and were partly responsible for a Battle Honour (Conventello – Comacchio). I look upon my award of the MM as a mark of remembrance to the four mentioned. Every year on the 3rd of January I do truly remember — how can one ever forget?
After that show, the Troop was never the same, although they again excelled themselves at Lake Comacchio with the 43rd Marine Commandos, again with (Crunch) Lt Jackson in command.
