Fred McLean

Hargrave to the Hitler Line: The Canadian 5th Armoured in Italy Fred McLean

Twenty year old Bud McLean and his colleagues from the Canadian 5th Armoured Division come of age against the backdrop of WW2 Italy.

Thirteen men hung precariously to a tiny bridgehead, waiting to be reinforced.

Out-manned, and out-gunned, their commander radioed the recce troop and gave them permission to retreat if they deemed it necessary. They chose to stay. On an obscure river bank south of Rome, a Canadian action at the little known Battle of the Melfa River, threw open the door to Rome and saved thousands of Allied lives.