We scorned the roll of failures
That mark this valleys lore;
We stormed the mountain’s shoulders
and cracked Cassino’s door.
We face the final bastion,
Where death is thickly sewn;
The challenge that daunts our bravest
We deal this blow alone!
On May 21, 1944, the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade (including the 48th Highlanders of Canada, the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, and the Royal Canadian Regiment) had reached the edge of the saucer-shaped valley that separated the Allies from the Germans defending at Pontecorvo, about halfway between Naples and Rome. Late that night, Lieutenant Colonel Ian S. Johnston attended an orders group held by Brigadier Dan Spry, commander of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade. Spry’s orders, which came from General Sir Oliver Leese, commander of the 8th Army, was to launch this attack on the Hitler Line in support of the larger attack, known as Operation CHESTERFIELD. The 48th would attack on the morning of May 22, followed by the Royal Canadian Regiment and the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. Operation CHESTERFIELD would follow on May 23.
The Hitler Line was a formidable position. More than 8,300 German soldiers defended the line between Terracina on the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Cairo. However, it was the fixed defensive works that made the line truly impressive. Constructed by the Todt Organization in the winter of 1943, the line featured extensive concrete emplacements including underground bunkers and pillboxes, as well as an intricate obstacle plan with anti-tank ditches, minefields, and barbed wire.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnston learned of the plan at 11:30 pm on May 21. Brigadier Spry ordered him to attack Pontecorvo at first light, approximately 4:00 am. With only four and a half hours to plan and prepare for the attack, Johnston protested. He explained to Brigadier Spry that he thought that such a hasty attack against such a well-fortified position was reckless and they would take unnecessary casualties. As Johnston could not take responsibility for such an attack, he asked that either the attack be postponed or that he be relieved of his command. Johnston’s superiors trusted him and later recommended him for promotion to brigade commander. Brigadier Spry and Major-General Chris Vokes, the division commander, agreed to delay the attack until later in the morning. Johnston remained in command.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnston reached the battalion’s tactical headquarters at 1:30 am on May 22. He woke his officers and issued his orders. No word of protest was spoken, but they knew that they were about to lead their companies into a battle which looked hopeless. They accepted that this was what they had to do. They began their preparations. Lieutenant Colonel Johnston had sent out a patrol under Sergeant Stan Caldwell earlier, which had gathered essential information that allowed the 48th to get as close as possible to the German positions under cover. Sergeant Caldwell would receive the Military Medal for that patrol which surely saved the lives of many Highlanders.
The 48th Highlanders would use the concealment of crops to get as close to the obstacles as possible. They would attack at 10:30 am with a troop of British Churchill tanks operating in close support. The tanks took heavy casualties, but the 48th quickly captured several machine gun posts and breachd the line. All four companies were in the breach, and Johnston now pushed Able and Charlie Companies north. Dog Company would follow. Baker Company would dig in and secure their breach. The companies advanced and fought the Germans in the nearby houses but soon faced stiff resistance. Without any more tank support to break the deadlock, Lieutenant Colonel Johnston and Brigadier Spry realized the 48th could not make it all the way to Pontecorvo. The 48th dug in and held what they had taken.
Operation CHESTERFIELD, the main breach of the Hitler Line, occurred as scheduled. The 48th were the first unit to breach the Hitler Line, and the only one to do it by themselves. With the distraction of CHESTERFIELD, the 48th were able to continue their advance and the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment were able to further exploit their whole in the line. The 48th action was a tremendous feat of arms against seemingly impossible odds.
by Second Lieutenant Joshua Prested
