Adrano

The Second World War

Date

29 July – 7 August 1943

Geographical parameters

(no geographical parameters defined)

Context

A battle honour incorporating several battles and engagements and within the “Sicily, 1943” theatre ^{Footnote 1}

Description

The fighting in Sicily had pushed the German defenders into the northeast corner of the island. The three Commonwealth divisions under General Montgomery were given new objectives. The 51st Division was to take Paterno, the 78th Division was directed at Centuripe, while the 1st Canadian Division was told to take Adrano. Major-General Guy Simonds tasked 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade’s commander, Brigadier Chris Vokes, with the operation. In turn Vokes created a battle group based on the Three Rivers Regiment and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, along with reconnaissance, engineer and artillery units. The commanding officers of the two major units met and concocted a plan that would see the infantry mounted on the back decks of the Three Rivers Regiment’s Sherman tanks. Preceded by a reconnaissance squadron from the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, the force set out at first light (0600 hours) on 4 August. The first holdup was the railway bridge crossing the Salso River. The engineers had to be called forward to assist. Once across the obstacle the force gathered momentum. Closing in on the village of Carcaci, to the west of Adrano, the infantry dismounted. Fortunately, the enemy had no anti-tank guns. The Canadian tanks used their high explosive main armament rounds and their tracer machine gun ammunition to set fire to the dry grass and shrubs in the area. This had the effect of driving the German defenders from their cover. The village itself was pounded by the artillery. By mid-afternoon the objective had been taken with only light casualties to the Canadian force. With the Canadians now situated on the high ground overlooking Adrano, the Germans abandoned the town and retired to the north.

Awarded to:

Currently Serving Units

• 12e Régiment blindé du Canada ^{Footnote 2}
• 48th Highlanders of Canada ^{Footnote 3}
• The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment ^{Footnote 4}
• The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry) ^{Footnote 5}
• The North Saskatchewan Regiment ^{Footnote 6}
• The Royal Canadian Regiment ^{Footnote 7}
• Royal 22e Régiment ^{Footnote 8}
• The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada ^{Footnote 9}
• The West Nova Scotia Regiment ^{Footnote 10}

Unit on the Supplementary Order of Battle

• 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards ^{Footnote 11}