 On 20 December 1943 , the under @-@ strength Loyal Edmonton Regiment moved toward Ortona , with the Seaforth Highlanders covering their eastern flank . Throughout the day , they encountered heavy machine gun fire during their attempts to enter Ortona . By nightfall , both battalions held a toehold on the western edge of Ortona , yet had encountered heavy resistance in their attempts to secure it . The following day , D Company of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment launched attacks eastward towards the city centre , but accurate German sniper fire rapidly stalled the advance . 
 On 20 December 1943 , the under @-@ strength Loyal Edmonton Regiment moved toward Ortona , with the Seaforth Highlanders covering their eastern flank . Throughout the day , they encountered heavy machine gun fire during their attempts to enter Ortona . By nightfall , both battalions held a toehold on the western edge of Ortona , yet <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> encountered heavy resistance in their attempts to secure it . The following day , D Company of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment<a href='been_done' title='2'><mark></mark></a> launched attacks eastward towards the city centre , but accurate German sniper fire rapidly stalled the advance . 
On 20 December 1943 , da under @-@ strength Loyal Edmonton Regiment moved toward Ortona , with the Seaforth Highlanders covering their eastern flank . Throughout the day , they encountered heavy machine gun fire during their attempts to enter Ortona . By nightfall , both battalions held a toehold on the western edge of Ortona , yet done encountered heavy resistance in their attempts to secure it . Tdafollowing day , D Company of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment done launched attacks eastward towards the city centre , but accurate German sniper fire rapidly stalled thdadvance .