Liri Valley
The 42nd Battle Honour in order for The Regiment and awarded as
such when WWII and Korea Battle Honours were awarded to The
Regiment. It is not entitled to be borne on the Colours.
The Liri Valley in Central Italy ran beyond the Mountains of
Aurunci and Auson for approximately 20 miles North from the
Garigliano-Gari-Rapido river systems.
After the Gustav Line had been penetrated the Canadian 1st
Division moved ahead with the objective of smashing the Hitler
Line, the German main defensive line in the area which was actually
called the Senger Line by them.
The Liri Valley had to be crossed to achieve this, so on May 17,
1944 at 0700 hrs, The RCR moved through the valley and advanced 3
miles with little opposition.
However they encountered an enemy position between the Pegnataro
and the Liri River. After attempting to bypass this position, A Coy
moved up and attacked it, with support of a tank.
7 Platoon took their objective and 12 prisoners. A
self-propelled gun remaining in action was silenced by Cpl R.D.
Deadman who attacked it with a 2 in. mortar fired from his
shoulder.
8 platoon on the opposite side of the objective made its ground
but lost their platoon commander to machine gun fire.
When A Coy started to consolidate their position C Coy moved up
to support them, when a devastating Artillery shoot descended on
them. Both coys were ordered to withdraw, and this was carried out
in excellent fashion.
That night Sgt C.R. Palmer searched for 2 missing men reported
as wounded, at dawn he found them in view of the enemy and under
heavy fire. He brought them to safety and received the Military
Medal for his courage.
On the next day the advance continued with heavy tank losses,
but good gains for the infantry. By afternoon The RCR had seized
positions 3 miles west of the town of Pignataro, and by last light
the entire 1st Canadian Divisional front was secured.
That night enemy probes were driven off by C Coy and German
aircraft bombed the valley.
The Germans had left the Liri Valley and then the Canadians and
The Regiment was ready for the next objective, the Hitler Line.
The casualties for the Liri Valley battle was 17 killed over 20
wounded.