On 12th October, the Sharpshooters had deployed two squadrons to support an infantry crossing by 131 Brigade. C Squadron, in support of 1/6 Queens, was commanded by Major Dick Sutton. He had reconnoitred forward and found a 20-foot high anti-flood bank behind which he arranged his squadron. They had marked up their gun elevation and traverse gear (with the aid of the Royal Horse Artillery) so that they could fire indirect at remotely observed targets, and Major Sutton climbed a poplar tree so that he could watch the infantry attack. In this way he was able to identify enemy mortar fire and direct concentrations of high explosive fire on the German positions.
This helped the infantry to gain a foothold on the far bank but they were unable to push too far to the north as they lacked heavier support.
The Royal Engineers brought up some light bridging equipment to repair the small bridge at Santa Maria la Fossa and some smaller vehicles were sent across, including a bulldozer, but they needed heavier support from the Sharpshooters’ tanks.