On 10 December 1944 orders were given to constrcut a high level Bailey bridge across the River Lamone to replace the 200 foot demolished bridge (Map Reference 4273, 65) on Via Cortina, the road leading to Bagna Cavallo (Map Reference 3938). This bridge was originally required to assist 1 Canadian Infantry Brigade in retaining their bridgehead across the river. The bridge site was very exposed and under enemy observation from Bagna Cavallo and possibly Traversara (Map Reference 4337).
Initial attempts at reconnaissance of the bridge site drew considerable enemy small arms, mortar and artillery fire. During the morning 11 December, No.2 Platoon, 13 Canadian Field Company, started work on the bank seats, but by 1000 hours, when the ground mist lifted, the site became and remained untenable for the rest of the morning due to intermittent enemy fire.
At 1400 hours the same day Lieutenant A.H. Nicolson in command of No.3 Platoon, 13 Canadian Field Company, took charge of the task and his platoon commenced construion of the bridge. Intermittent fire continued throughout the afternon but did not interfere with the erection of the bridge until 1830 hours when approximately 20 Nebelwerfers landed in the immediate vicinity of the bridge site. Two shells hit the bridge, several landed on the approach road and one came so close to Lieutenant Nicolson that it blew him over the edge of the dyke. He was only scratched but considerably shaken, but despite the fact that he had recently returned from two months recuperation in hospital as a result of being blown up on a Teller mine, he immeiately returned to the bridge site and with the aid of his Sergeant rallied his men to carry on with their task and saw it through to completion at 1000 hours the following morning.
The example set by Lieutenant Nicolson on this occasion and the confidence he inspired in his men at a critical stage in constructon ensured that the bridge was completed without further delay and considerably assisted 1 Canadian Infantry Brigade to consolidate their bridgehead.