The Pill Box just short of the crossroads was stalked and assaulted by Lieutenant Butler  and his Section of 4 Troop, assisted by Major Young. Captain Lloyd and 4 Troop then occupied the road junction area 900585. 3 Troop were pushed through to secure the bridge and 1 Troop to cover the road from Catania. 3 Troop met opposition from the South West end of the bridge and reported that a large number of troops and vehicles were parked in the orchards near this South West end of the bridge. A party was sent under the bridge to secure this South West end of the bridge but were pinned down by fire. This party found some demolition apparatus under the bridge which I instructed them to disconnect. I estimate the time of arrival at the bridge to be 0345 hours. P.I.A.T. Mortars were sighted to cover the road approaches from both sides.

 

Some prisoners began to come in and after a short time a lorry and trailer arrived. This was engaged by a P.I.A.T. Mortar at point blank range and a big explosion followed. The lorry continued to burn and the ammuntion contained in it to explode for a considerable period.  This was an undesirable factor as some of the Troop positions nearby had to be moved and the explosion and subsequent fire no doubt attracted troops to the vicinity. Fire from a heavy mortar commenced very soon and continued throughout the remainder of our time at the bridge. Shortly after this a heavy German Tank arrived and halted near the South West end of the bridge, and commenced to engage our positions with its gun and with M.G.'s at a range of about 200 yards. It was now about 0500 hours and there was no sign of any approach of 50 Division from the South.

 

Meanwhile the second flight had arrived; Captain Pooley reported and I instructed him to occupy the house at 901584 with a view to engaging the enemy from the flank. He at once led his Troop across the open to this house under heavy machine gun fire from the tank. After this time the Mortar fire and gunfire from the tank became intense and casualties started to mount up and as there was still no sign of 50 Division I decided the position was untenable; I think the time was now about 0520 hours. I issued orders for a withdrawal along the road running to the East. This was carried out in a very steady manner, Troops occupying several successive covering positions while other Troops and the wounded passed through them.

 

I sent RSM Lowe to occupy a defensive position in some steep hills, 800 yards to the South East, a job which he performed admirably. Great work was done at this stage in getting the wounded back. Troops passed through in succession and were placed by RSM Lowe in depth on the hill. Captain Moore, the Medical Officer, who throughout was conspicuous for his gallant work attended to the wounded and all seemed well for the moment. Just then two or more guns, which I estimate to have been '88's', began engaging the positions on the hills, with most accurate fire, some of it Air Burst H.E. Heavy machine gunning of the position now commenced. I looked to the left but could again see no sign of 50 Division arriving. I then issued orders for Troops to retire on a bearing of 160 degrees which I hoped would eventually bring them out between Augusta and Villlasumundo. The gun fire and machine gunning increased in intensity, the gun fire being brilliantly accurate. Owing to the very steep and difficult country, contact with Troops was lost, and the last I saw of the majority was Troops moving steadily back in extended order. I passed a message to all I could to split into small parties and make their way back on bearing 160 degrees, lying up until nightfall if necessary.

 

I assembled a small party which had got behind the remainder and commenced to move into the hills where I met Major Young with his runners. We reached the ridge and lay up for about 4 hours below it. Major Young left after about half an hour and at about 1100 hours two civilians walked into our position. As I was afraid they might give our position away we moved on over the crest of the hill; after travelling about 400 yards down the reverse slope of the hill the party came under heavy M.G. fire from the right. The country here was absolutely open, so we wheeled left and doubled 400 yards to the nearest cover in extended order. The M.G. fire was particularly heavy and accurate during this period but by great good fortune nobody was hit. After proceeding another 200 yards we made contact with Captain Pooley and a party of 5 and 6 Troops about 20 strong. It was now about mid-day and was evident to me that there was enemy on all sides. I took the whole party to the nearest Orange Grove where Captain Pooley and I placed them in a deep ditch, where we all lay up for the next nine hours. Shooting and voices were heard from time to time, the voices all appearing to be German or Italian.

 

We decided to leave for Villsmundo in two parties at 2100 hours. On reaching the road at about 945566 we ran into an enemy post which fired several bursts at us as we crossed the road without causing casualties. We refilled our water bottles at about 098559 and continued without further incident to about 972524 where we contacted an A.A. Post and slept the remainder of the night. During the day and night following the engagement a large number of small parties of No.3 Commando were moving about in the area South East of the Punta dei Malati; reports on their activities will be forwarded later. I should like to point out that references to the non arrival of 50 Division are not intended to be in anyway derogatory as on seeing the country South East of Lentini the difficulties of their advance are easily apparent.