Donnybrook MTO (id:#59397)

Single Man Publishing (Aprilia: The Factory ID: ATF 2)   [next]   [previous]

Aprilia, Italy 1944-01-26 (4 others)

Overview:

After securing Aprilia the day before the Grenadier Guards were to be leapfrogged by the rest of the brigade. Unfortunately, the Germans were not content to let sleeping grenadiers lie. Displaying the tactic that would cause the Allies so much heartache the next two months, the Germans infiltrated to within 200 yards of Aprilia the night of the 25th and began the day by opening up with belt after belt of machine gun fire. Coupled with this was the appearance of German tanks for the first time against the British. Five tanks rolled up to Aprilia and started shelling the buildings at point blank range. To make matters more confusing, 88's started raining shells on the town, paying particular attention to the bell tower that was thought to hold British artillery observers. It looked like the day would be a real donnybrook. . .

Defender: British (5th Battalion, Grenadier Guards, 24th Guards Brigade, 1st Infantry Division)  

Errata (source)