primary document analysis
Loyal Edmonton Regiment diary entry on December 22, 1943:
Street and house to house fighting continues. The enemy is showing a desperate resistance. Our 6 Pdr guns are engaging barricades and strong points to clear a passage for tanks. Since the Hun has blown down buildings to block off all the streets, it has been decided to concentrate on the clearing of the main axis through the city to enable our tanks to advance. 'D' Coy, flanked by 'B' Coy on the right and 'A' Coy on the left, clear the main street to the second city square where concentrated MMG fire and strong opposition is encountered. Clearing of the large buildings adjacent to this street, particularly towards the Esplanade, necessitates continuous fighting by these three Coys.
Street and house to house fighting continues. The enemy is showing a desperate resistance. Our 6 Pdr guns are engaging barricades and strong points to clear a passage for tanks. Since the Hun has blown down buildings to block off all the streets, it has been decided to concentrate on the clearing of the main axis through the city to enable our tanks to advance. 'D' Coy, flanked by 'B' Coy on the right and 'A' Coy on the left, clear the main street to the second city square where concentrated MMG fire and strong opposition is encountered. Clearing of the large buildings adjacent to this street, particularly towards the Esplanade, necessitates continuous fighting by these three Coys.
This entry written during the Battle of Ortona helps readers to understand more of the strategy and objectives of this battle. One of the biggest advances in war technology from World War I was the use of tanks. Several times in this entry, the writer mentions how their objective is to destroy barricades and wreckage to allow their tanks to enter. The entry also mentions clearing the buildings, which is an example of the fighting strategy for the defending soldiers, who would go inside the buildings and shoot at the attackers through windows and other openings. This journal entry is very useful as a primary source as it was written by one of the soldiers in the battle and helps give us a better understanding of the strategy used by the people fighting this battle.
Citations:
1) "Www.canadiansoldiers.com." Www.canadiansoldiers.com. Web. 30 May 2015.
Citations:
1) "Www.canadiansoldiers.com." Www.canadiansoldiers.com. Web. 30 May 2015.