Re: Terrain Challenge #47 (Score: 1)
by Lestayo on Mon May 23, 2011 4:01 pm
(User Info | Send a Message) | Well done, Buck!!
Operation Fustian
During World War II, Operation Fustian (also referred to inaccurately in several histories as "Operation Marston") was a British airborne assault to seize and hold the Primosole Bridge over the River Simeto, south of Mount Etna on the island of Sicily, until relieved by ground forces.
The bridge itself was a 400-foot-long (120 m) box girder type bridge bearing a passing similarity to a Bailey Bridge. At each end were concrete blockhouses from which the defenders overlooked the 30-yard-wide stream, running through marshland devoid of cover.
At the bridge itself, the 1st Battalion's intention was to land two assault platoons astride the Simeto, with Drop Zone 1 and Drop Zone 2 on either side of the stream, to launch an immediate assault on the span from both sides. Neither platoon arrived on their DZ, and Captain Rann assembled 50 men at DZ1 and pressed on alone. At 0200, they sent forward a small reconnaissance, and at 0215 overran the 50-man Italian garrison which quickly surrendered.
The British managed to remove the German demolition charges and establish a defensive perimeter.
Under attack from three sides, the force was contracted into a shrinking perimeter, which nonetheless held until the arrival of the 4th Armoured Brigade.
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/sicily/depth_fustian.htm |
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