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Feb 1944
The Allied landed at Anzio to go around German blocking defenses at Montecassino. Instead of causing them to retreat, they were able to hold the Allies at the beachhead. Anzio is about 35 miles from Rome.
My conservative guess is that Dad shipped into Italy after mid-February as one of the replacements for the many killed in the 179th during heavy fighting that month. From Naples he would have shipped to the Anzio beachhead. But it is also possible that he was in the original attack force that landed in January and survived the German counterattacks that reduced his battalion by 50%.
My conservative guess is that Dad shipped into Italy after mid-February as one of the replacements for the many killed in the 179th during heavy fighting that month. From Naples he would have shipped to the Anzio beachhead. But it is also possible that he was in the original attack force that landed in January and survived the German counterattacks that reduced his battalion by 50%.
Mar 1944
Anzio was regularly bombarded and overflown by German planes. The British and Americans had stopped the Germans from driving them into the sea but in March fighting was reduced to small, back-and-forth fights, many at night, in very difficult circumstances.
If Dad arrived in latter part of February then he was quickly made a corporal and at about the same time received his Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
If Dad arrived in latter part of February then he was quickly made a corporal and at about the same time received his Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Apr 1944
The Allies struggled for months to break the deadlock at Montecassino and move north to link up with their Anzio forces. Troops and supplies continued to pour into the Anzio beachhead.
May 1944
Finally, in Allied forces were strong enough to simultaneously break through Montecassino and German defenses at Anzio, push north and threaten Rome.
By no later than May 30, Dad was already a sergeant, a rather rapid rise in just a few months. During the breakout from Anzio, Dad was cited for bravery and was later awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star.
By no later than May 30, Dad was already a sergeant, a rather rapid rise in just a few months. During the breakout from Anzio, Dad was cited for bravery and was later awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star.
Jun 1944
Finally, 6 months after landing at Anzio, Allied forces took Rome and beyond. Allied casualties at Anzio had been very high. They numbered 7,000 killed, 36,000 wounded, and 44,000 non-battle casualties hospitalized due to injury and sickness. Just as the news broke, Allied forces landed at Normandy in northern France, the start of long-awaited “second front”. The 45th Division was quickly withdrawn to Battapaglia to refit and retrain. It would officially leave the Mediterranean Theatre for participation in the European Theatre, the invasion of southern France.
Jul 1944
The 45th Infantry Division practiced beach attacks. The Germans fought hard at Normandy and an Allied attack from the south would threaten German supply and retreat routes. No one was certain if their defense of southern France would be as strong as that in the north, but for the 45th Division, the landing at St. Maxime would be its fourth and last amphibious assault of the war.
