Dileas p.534-5
Photo of one of the two S.P. guns knocked out by 48th anti tank guns. (Liri Valley Cassino -Hitler Line) May 18th 1944, Recovery vehicles clearing road. P0545
Clearing an SP Gun knocked out on the Advance to Pontecorvo, 18 May 1944
Clean up of self-propelled (SP) guns begins while the 48th consolidate their position around a main outlying bastion of the Hitler Line, the Forme d’Aquino, which they had captured on 17 May. During the night and under total darkness, 30 infantrymen of the 190th Panzer Division supported by three SP guns attempted to dislodge the Highlanders and countered against Dog Company’s position between two bridges. Firing a phosphorus light from a 2-inch mortar to light up the SPs, the 48th Anti-tank Platoon brought their 6-pounder anti-tank guns to bear. They hit the second SP first, then knocked out the lead gun, trapped between the bridges. The nearest Dog Company sections drove back the German infantry. Sergeant Bob Shaw was awarded the Military Medal for his anti-tank action.