On December 26, the 3rd day of the battle at a location called “Cemetery Hill” during which the 48th Highlanders had penetrated, undetected and alone, 1.2 km behind the German lines to a ridge just east of San Tommaso and fought an all-round defense. The goal was to threaten the only road in and out of Ortona available to the Germans thus forcing them to abandon their vicious house-to-house defense of the town. On day three of the battle, after 3 tanks had arrived that day, Dog Company, including Lt. Arrell’s platoon conducted a unique tank-infantry attack on the German positions. The Sherman tanks attacked first over a 100 yard stretch to the houses, shooting everything up, then the Highlanders charged the elite Paratroopers, killing and capturing many. Then the Highlanders withdrew. Lt. Arrell was dangerously wounded and carried out, but died shortly before reaching the rear. He was to be nominated for the Military Cross but as awards are not made posthumously, he could only be Mentioned In Dispatches.
NOK: Son of Harrison Arrell, K.C., and Eva M. Arrell, of Caledonia, Ontario. B.A.