Valour at Casa Berardi MTO (id:#66672)

(Bloody December-The Gully ASL Team Tournament 2023 ID: A3)   [next]   [previous]

Casa Berardi, Italy 1943-12-13 (6 others)

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Overview:

The Royal 22nd Regiment (Vandoos) was the only French-Canadian regiment in the Canadian Army and felt that it had a certain reputation to uphold. The Vandoos were to advance up a small track, which led around the left of The Gully to reach the Ortona-Orsogna Road. From there, they would advance through the small farm of Casa Berardi and take the Cider Crossroads. The attack would be supported by C-Squadron, The Ontario Regiment and a corps level artillery barrage. Unknown to C-Company, they were now alone in the battle as D-Company had become disoriented in the action and was heading in the wrong direction. It was now 2,000 yards to the crossroads. This area was a wasteland of trees with split limbs, burnt out houses, dead animals, and the cracked shells of houses. With the Ontario’s Shermans, the Vandoos advanced down the road in the face of withering fire. The Company Commander, Captain Paul Triquet stirred his men on by telling them, “There is enemy in front of us, behind us, and on our flanks; there is only safe place – that is on the objective”. The tanks engaged and destroyed two more panzers and then 500 yards short of the crossroads, the Vandoo Company was caught in a devastating barrage. Still the Vandoos fought on, finally reaching Casa Berardi and even trying to move beyond to the crossroads. C-Company’s losses were too great, so Captain Triquet and his men withdrew back to the farm house. Unwavering, Captain Triquet issued his order. “Ill ne passeront pas! (They shall not pass!)”. As the Germans arrived piecemeal, Captain Triquet inspired his men to rise to the occasion and hold off each attack as it arrived. For hos memorable and decisive action, Captain Triquet was awarded the Victoria Cross – the first to be awarded to a Canadian during the Italian Campaign.

Defender: German (III.Batalion, Fallschirmjäger Regiment 3)  

Errata (source)