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Old 24-02-06, 05:28
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John McGillivray John McGillivray is offline
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According to the Canadian Official history “The Canadians in Italy 1943 to 1945” by Lt Col G.W.L. Nicholson the German Armour and troops were from the 26th Panzer Division, which consisted of the 26th Panzer Regiment and the 9th and 67th Panzergrenadier Regiments since 1943. At the Savio River the troops were from the 9th PzGn Regt.


The 4th Panzer Regiment was an independent Regiment in 1944 and was not part of a Division.

From Nicholson p 587:

“The action which followed is a striking demonstration of what may be accomplished by well-trained and determined infantry in the face of armoured attack, and is illumined by the gallantry of a member of the Seaforth's tank-hunting platoon—Private E.A. Smith.139 "C" Company was already under fire from the approaching enemy tanks as Pte. Smith led his PIAT team across an open field to a roadside ditch, which offered the close range he needed. Almost at once a Mark V came lumbering down the road, sweeping the ditches with its machine-guns, and wounding Smith's companion. At a range of only 30 feet, and exposed to the full view of the enemy, Pte. Smith fired his PIAT. The bomb stopped the Panther, and its driver made frantic but futile efforts to turn around and retreat. Immediately ten German infantrymen tumbled off the back of the tank and charged Smith with machine pistols and grenades. Without hesitation he moved into the centre of the road, shot down four of them with his tommy gun, and dispersed the remainder. A second tank now opened fire from a safe distance and more Grenadiers began closing in on Smith. But the intrepid Highlander met this second threat just as steadfastly. Replenishing his ammunition from his wounded comrade in the ditch he continued to protect him, fighting off the enemy with his sub-machine gun until they gave up and withdrew in disorder. In recognition of his heroism Pte. "Smoky" Smith (as the Canadian public came to know him) was awarded the Victoria Cross, the third* and last to be granted a Canadian in the Italian campaign.140 The counter-attack had cost the enemy dear. In addition to the tank put out of action by Smith the Seaforth platoon had knocked out with their PIATs and mines a second Panther, a half-track, a scout car and two self-propelled guns—an impressive bag for an infantry force with neither tanks nor anti-tank guns, and one which reflected the highest credit on the platoon commander. Throughout the action Sergeant K.P. Thompson, in the words of the recommendation which brought him a well-deserved D.C.M.,f "with complete disregard for his own safety moved across open ground swept by enemy fire, from one PIAT position to another, encouraging his men, re-siting the weapons to counter the enemy's moves, and controlling the defence." Later "C" Company discovered a third Mark V bogged down in a ditch near the scene of the fight. It was captured intact and subsequently went to help solve the equipment problems of Popski's Private Army.”

Last edited by John McGillivray; 24-02-06 at 12:25.
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