The original plan for 1st Canadian Corps’ Operation Chuckle,
December 1944, called for the capture of Ravenna, situated along
the Adriatic coast in northeastern Italy, and an advance beyond
the Senio and Santerno rivers to the town of Massa Lombarda. If
the Canadians succeeded, their thrust would outflank German
positions at Imola and threaten the enemy’s hold on Bologna
further to the west. While Ravenna was liberated on Dec. 4, the
1st Canadian Division suffered a serious reversal when a hastily
prepared attack across the Lamone River failed, forcing a
withdrawal. Two battalions of 1st Brigade, the Royal Canadian
Regiment and the Hastings and Prince Edward Regt., suffered
close to 200 casualties in this ill-advised, chaotic action. For
the Hasty Ps, Dec. 5 was the black day when their own medium
artillery struck them down on the banks of the river.
Fortunately, 5th Armoured Div. reached the Lamone in good order
where it paused to prepare for a proper co-ordinated assault
crossing. The 8th Army commander, Li