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"HE STOPPED AT ORTONA"

From The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Song O'er The Hills Of Sicily
Sung To The Tune Of Waltzing Matilda

The Tenor Of The Fighting Changes

On the morning of December 21 troops from The Loyal Edmonton Regiment and The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada began a two pronged advance into Ortona. They quickly met heavy resistance from German Fallschirmjäger who had moved into the town earlier.

It quickly became apparent that the Canadians would not be able to take Ortona in a day, as some had originally thought possible. The Germans had not only occupied the town, they had used explosives to demolish a good part of it and fill the streets and ruined buildings with rubble, making it easier for the defending troops to fight.