DOCSLIB.ORG

The Battle of Ortona

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Battle of Ortona A Final Combat Scenario The Battle of Ortona The Battle of Ortona 20 December 1943 Britton Publishers Page 1 A Final Combat Scenario The Battle of Ortona History The Battle of Ortona (December 20, 1943 to December 28, 1943) was a small yet extremely fierce battle fought between German Fallschirmjäger, and assaulting Canadian forces from the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. It was the culmination of the fighting on the Adriatic front in Italy during "Bloody December" and was considered among Canada's greatest achievements during the war. Taking place in the small Adriatic Sea town of Ortona, with its peacetime population of 10,000, the battle was the site of what was perhaps the deadliest close quarter combat engagement of the entire war. Some dubbed this "Little Stalingrad." Background The Eighth Army's offensive on the Winter Line defenses east of the Apennine Mountains had commenced on November 23 with the crossing of the river Sangro. By the end of the month the main Gustav Line defenses had been penetrated and the Allied troops were fighting their way forward to the next river, the Moro, four miles north of the mouth of which lay Ortona. For the Moro crossing in early December the exhausted British 78th Infantry Division on the Allied right flank on the Adriatic coast had been relieved by Canadian 1st Infantry Division. By mid December, after fierce fighting in the cold, wet and mud the Division's 1st Infantry Brigade had fought its way to within two miles of Ortona and was relieved by 2nd Infantry Brigade for the advance on the town. Ortona had little strategic importance, as its port was nothing more than a dock for local fisherman. However, because of autumn and winter rains, the land away from the built up areas was nearly impassable, even by foot. Allied forces were ordered to maintain the offensive, and going through the built up areas in and around Ortona was the only feasible option. Ortona was almost impregnable; the only option for an assault would be from the south. It also constituted part of the Winter Line, where the Germans were ordered to "fight for every last house and tree." The Battle The Canadians faced elements of the renowned German 1st Parachute Division. These soldiers were battle-hardened after many years of war, and were ordered by Hitler to defend Ortona at any cost. The initial Canadian attack on the town was made on 20 December by Canadian 2nd Brigade's Loyal Edmonton Regiment with elements of the Sea-forth Highlanders of Canada. Meanwhile, the division's 3rd Infantry Brigade launched an attack to the west of the town in attempt to outflank and cut off the town's rear communications, but they made slow progress because of the difficult terrain and the determined German defense. Britton Publishers Page 2 A Final Combat Scenario The Battle of Ortona In the town itself, the Germans placed various barricades and left rubble strewn throughout the narrow side streets surrounding the Piazza Municipale. The only available route for the Canadian tanks was through the Corso Vittorio, which was booby trapped; traps would serve the Germans with deadly efficiency during the eight days of bitter fighting. The Germans also concealed various machine guns and anti-tank emplacements throughout the town, making virtually any street a death trap to the advancing Canadians. The house to house fighting was vicious and the Canadians made use of a new tactic: "mouse-holing." This tactic involved using weapons such as the PIAT (or even cumbersome anti-tank guns) to breach the walls of a building. The soldiers would then throw in grenades and assault through the mouse holes, clearing the top floors and making their way down, where both adversaries struggled in brutal close-quarters combat. Mouse-holing was also used to pierce through walls into adjoining rooms, sometimes catching enemy troops by surprise. The tactic would be used repeatedly as assaulting through the streets meant certain death for the Canadian troops. Later, in a particularly deadly incident, a German demolished an entire house packed with Canadian soldiers; only one soldier survived. The Canadians retaliated by demolishing another building on top of two German platoons, wiping them out. Aftermath After six days of intense combat, 2nd Brigade's third battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, joined the battle together with tanks from 1st Canadian Armored Brigade's Three Rivers Regiment (Regiment de Trois-Rivières). After eight days of fighting, the depleted German troops, who lacked reinforcements, finally withdrew from the town. The Canadians suffered 1,375 dead in the fighting in and around Ortona, almost a quarter of all Canadians killed during the Italian Campaign. Victory Conditions The Canadians have 10 turns to find and capture the fortified strong point. The Germans must avoid Canadian victory conditions. Set-up The German player will secretly choose one house to fortify. He may set-up anywhere on the board and should attempt to conceal the fortification. The Canadians may enter anywhere from off-board. Canadian Forces Troop Quality will range from regular to veteran and determine Willpower. Leadership is 13. Britton Publishers Page 3 A Final Combat Scenario The Battle of Ortona 1x Platoon HQ: Commander, Platoon Sergeant, 3-man 2" mortar team, a runner, officer’s batman/orderly (2x Sten SMG, 5 rifles, 1x PIAT w/ 6 bombs; 6 grenades) 2x 10-man section: (2x Bren LMG, 2x Sten SMG, 16 rifles, 20 grenades 1x Cromwell IV (A27) w/ 5-man crew Reinforcements on Turn 2 1x Cromwell IV (A27M) w/ 5-man crew Reinforcements on Turn 3 2x Sherman IV w/ 5-man crew Reinforcements on Turn 4 1x 10-man section (4x satchel charges; 1x Bren LMG, 1x Sten SMG, 8 rifles; 10 grenades) German Forces Troop Quality will range from regular to veteran and determine Willpower. Leadership is 13. 1x Platoon HQ: Commander, Platoon Sergeant, 3-man 5.0cm mortar team (2x MP40, 3 rifles) 1x 10-man squad: 2x MG42 LMG, 2x MP40 SMG, 6 rifles, 20 grenades 1x Raketenwerfer 43 (Püppchen) w/ 2-man crew 1x PaK 40 AT Gun w/ 5-man crew 2x 4" x 2" mine field 2x 105mm artillery shells (IED/hidden) 6x hidden grenade/booby traps 1x Fortified Building* *One building must be chosen for fortification. It may be prepared as follows: 1. Attic post: with a few bricks and slates removed to provide loopholes for observation and sniping. The loft hatch is enlarged and a sturdy ladder fitted. Sniper might also find positions in parts of the roof. 2. Upper floor: floor and ceiling are reinforced with timber props and arrangements of capsills and groundsills at right angles to the joists; two layers of sandbags are laid over the floor. All window glass has been knocked out and anti-grenade netting fitted. Curtains of Hessian or blankets obscure the top halves of the windows so that riflemen positioned well back in the room can fire unseen from oblique angles. Furniture is filled with rubble or sandbags and used for protection. A new hatchway has been smashed through the floor and a ladder fitted, giving quick access to and from the ground floor. Any handy container is Britton Publishers Page 4 A Final Combat Scenario The Battle of Ortona filled with water. Windows not needed for fire or observation are blocked with planks, corrugated iron or anti-grenade netting. 3. Ground floor: concertina rolls or barbed wire all round the house keep the enemy back from the doors and windows, the latter being prepared as above; additional planks with exposed nails discourage climbing in over the window sills. Jammed and propped timbers again reinforce ceiling and floor, and also the lintels of interior doorways. Earth-filled furniture provides protected firing positions. 4. The staircase: has the banisters broken away, and the treads and risers covered with nail-studded planks. One narrow gap is left until the attack is imminent, then blocked with a last prepared plank. 5. Crawl-holes: are knocked through interior partition walls throughout, so defenders can move freely through the house at floor level. The bath is filled with water for emergency use. 6. Ground level doors: these are barricaded with earth-filled furniture and sandbags, leaving only a narrow gap for observations and fire. 7. Down-pipes and climbing plants: are removed above ground floor level, denying attackers any handholds if trying to reach the upper windows. 8. The cellar: serves as a store for ammunition and other supplies. It is reinforced with beams, and the stairway is prepared for blocking with nailed planks. Any external doors are secured. Even if the house is more or less demolished the cellar may still provide a last strongpoint. NOTE: This plan is taken from the “Instructor’s Handbook on Field-craft and Battle Drill 1942.” Britton Publishers Page 5 A Final Combat Scenario The Battle of Ortona Britton Publishers Page 6 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • CHAPTER V, , ************ * * Approach to the Liri Valley
    CHAPTER V, , ************ * * Approach to the Liri Valley A. PLANS FOR THE THIRD PHASE See Map No. 8 VJENERAL Clark anticipated on 16 December the early conclusion of Phase II and issued Operations Instruction No. 12. {See Annex No. 2F.) At that time San Pietro was still under attack, but there were indications that the enemy was preparing to withdraw to new positions. San Vittore might be held in some strength, but by clearing the slopes of Sammucro II Corps would cause that village to be untenable. The next barriers to the I4ri Valle}^ were Cedro Hill and Mount Porchia south of Highway 6; Cicerelli Hill, Mount I^a Chiaia, and the hills to the northeast on the north side of the highway; and the mountains centering around Mount Majo (Hill 1259). Once through the Porchia-I^a Chiaia defenses, the chief obstacle south of the highway was Mount Trocchio; north of the highway was the town of Cervaro, ringed by low hills and dominated on the north by mountains. II Corps was again to make the main effort in the center along the axis of Highway 6. The first objectives were Mounts Porchia and Trocchio. It was to be prepared to assist VI Corps in the capture of the high ground north­ west of Cassino, and was to secure a bridgehead over the Rapido River. After the bridgehead was secured, II Corps was to use the maximum amount of armor to drive northwest through the Iviri Valley to the Melfa River. The 1st Armored Division was attached to II Corps for that purpose.
    [Show full text]
  • Canadian Infantry Combat Training During the Second World War
    SHARPENING THE SABRE: CANADIAN INFANTRY COMBAT TRAINING DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR By R. DANIEL PELLERIN BBA (Honours), Wilfrid Laurier University, 2007 BA (Honours), Wilfrid Laurier University, 2008 MA, University of Waterloo, 2009 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in History University of Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario, Canada © Raymond Daniel Ryan Pellerin, Ottawa, Canada, 2016 ii ABSTRACT “Sharpening the Sabre: Canadian Infantry Combat Training during the Second World War” Author: R. Daniel Pellerin Supervisor: Serge Marc Durflinger 2016 During the Second World War, training was the Canadian Army’s longest sustained activity. Aside from isolated engagements at Hong Kong and Dieppe, the Canadians did not fight in a protracted campaign until the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. The years that Canadian infantry units spent training in the United Kingdom were formative in the history of the Canadian Army. Despite what much of the historical literature has suggested, training succeeded in making the Canadian infantry capable of succeeding in battle against German forces. Canadian infantry training showed a definite progression towards professionalism and away from a pervasive prewar mentality that the infantry was a largely unskilled arm and that training infantrymen did not require special expertise. From 1939 to 1941, Canadian infantry training suffered from problems ranging from equipment shortages to poor senior leadership. In late 1941, the Canadians were introduced to a new method of training called “battle drill,” which broke tactical manoeuvres into simple movements, encouraged initiative among junior leaders, and greatly boosted the men’s morale.
    [Show full text]
  • “Wars Should Be Fought in Better Country Than This” the First Special Service Force in the Italian Mountains by Kenneth Finlayson
    “Wars should be fought in better country than this” The First Special Service Force in the Italian Mountains by Kenneth Finlayson 48 Veritas eavy fighting raged across the summit of Monte La Canadian-American infantry unit of World War II. Defensa. The First Special Service Force (FSSF) was Activated on 20 July 1942 at Fort William Henry Harrison, decisively engaged with the German defenders on near Helena, Montana, the FSSF was originally intended H 2 the mountain. LTC Ralph W. Becket, commanding 1st for a special mission in Norway. Operation PLOUGH Battalion of the First Regiment, witnessed the assault was designed to destroy the Norwegian hydroelectric of a Second Regiment platoon against a German dam at Vermork that was producing deuterium, the machine gun position. 1LT Maurice Le Bon led his men “heavy water” vital to the German nuclear program.3 The to a concealed position 30 yards from the flank of the cancellation of PLOUGH resulted in the FSSF being sent enemy. “I watched all this develop, not missing a thing. first to the Aleutians and then to the Mediterranean. When our machine guns and mortars opened fire from It was in southern Italy that the Force first saw combat. the right, the enemy replied with strong machine gun The Force’s reputation as an elite unit was made during and Schmeisser pistol fire,” said Becket. “Suddenly our the U.S. Fifth Army’s grueling campaign to break through fire stopped and for the first and only time I heard the the German Winter Line south of Rome. This article will order – in Le Bon’s strong French-Canadian accent– ‘Fix look at the two phases of this operation and show how bayonets!’ A moment later Le Bon emerged into the the bloody fighting in the mountains of Italy had a deep clearing with his section and the men, with bayonets and lasting impact on the unit.
    [Show full text]
  • The Gothic Line
    Green is Bologna Discover the Gothic Line © Martino Viviani © Martino Viviani Walking along the paths of the Gothic Line means retracing the history and the events that involved the men and women who fought in what was the last German defensive outpost during the Italian Campaign. Between October 1944 and April 1945, the Bologna Apennines were the setting of large battles between the German army and the allied forces advancing from the south of the Italian peninsula. The historic itinerary unwinds from west to east: it starts at Lake Scaffaiolo in the Corno alle Scale Regional Park and arrives in Tossignano in the Park of the Vena del Gesso Romagnolo. Milan Venice Bologna Florence Rome How to find us Bologna is easy to reach using the main means of transport. Bologna Bologna G. Marconi Airport Bologna Central Station Motorways (A1-A14) Gothic Line Trekking Lake Scaffaiolo 1st Stage: Length: 15.8 km Difference in level:+600 -1,800 Duration: 6 h Rocca Corneta 2nd Stage: Length: 14 km Difference in level:+600 -1150 Duration: 5 h Abetaia 3rd Stage: Iola Length: 15,1 km Difference in level:+500 -490 Duration: 5 h Castel d’Aiano 4th Stage: MdSpè Length: 20 km Difference in level:+750 -1,300 Duration: 7 h Vergato 5th Stage: Monte Salvaro Length: 15,6 km Difference in level:+850 -660 Duration: 6 h Monte Sole 6th Stage: Vado Length: 21 km Difference in level:+1050 -1000 Duration: 7 h Brento Livergnano 7th Stage: Monte delle Formiche Length: 16,5 km Difference in level:+1100 -1200 Duration: 6 h Monterenzio 8th Stage: Monte Cerere Length: 21 km Difference in level:+700 -800 Duration: 7 h S.
    [Show full text]
  • Shooting the War: the Canadian Army Film Unit in the Second World
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Wilfrid Laurier University Canadian Military History Volume 14 | Issue 3 Article 3 4-16-2012 Shooting the War: The aC nadian Army Film Unit in the Second World War Sarah Klotz Library and Archives Canada Recommended Citation Klotz, Sarah (2005) "Shooting the War: The aC nadian Army Film Unit in the Second World War," Canadian Military History: Vol. 14: Iss. 3, Article 3. Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol14/iss3/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized administrator of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Klotz: Shooting the War Shooting the War The Canadian Army Film Unit in the Second World War Sarah Klotz “The exploits and adventures of these tripod toters, both in and out of actual combat, will no doubt enliven the pages of more than one book which will be written some day about World War II.”1 Jon Farrell, Canadian Geographic Journal, June 1945 ery little has been written about the Canadian Most of the existing scholarship exploring VArmy Film Unit (CAFU) since the end of Canadian film and the Second World War focuses the Second World War, despite Jon Farrell’s on the NFB and John Grierson, the father of the postulation. There have been a few short documentary in Canada and the NFB’s first film newspaper articles related to the Film Unit and commissioner.4 The historiography suggests the D-Day footage that made it famous, but there that the NFB was, for all practical purposes, the has been no scholarly study by either military main film institution creating Canadian motion or film historians.2 The purpose of the CAFU pictures.
    [Show full text]
  • The London Gazette of TUESDAY, 6Th JUNE, 1950
    jRtttnb, 38937 2879 SUPPLEMENT TO The London Gazette OF TUESDAY, 6th JUNE, 1950 Registered as a newspaper MONDAY, 12 JUNE, 1950 The War Office, June, 1950. THE ALLIED ARMIES IN ITALY FROM SRD SEPTEMBER, 1943, TO DECEMBER; 1944. PREFACE BY THE WAR OFFICE. PART I. This Despatch was written by Field-Marshal PRELIMINARY PLANNING AND THE Lord Alexander in his capacity as former ASSAULT. Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Armies in Italy. It therefore concentrates primarily upon Strategic Basis of the Campaign. the development of the land campaign and the The invasion of Italy followed closely in time conduct of the land battles. The wider aspects on the conquest of Sicily and may be therefore of the Italian Campaign are dealt with in treated, both historically and strategically, as reports by the Supreme Allied Commander a sequel to it; but when regarded from the (Field-Marshal Lord Wilson) which have point of view of the Grand Strategy of the already been published. It was during this- war there is a great cleavage between the two period that the very close integration of the operations. The conquest of Sicily marks the Naval, Military and Air Forces of the Allied closing stage of that period of strategy which Nations, which had been built up during the began with the invasion of North Africa in North African Campaigns, was firmly con- November, 1942, or which might, on a longer solidated, so that the Italian Campaign was view, be considered as beginning when the first British armoured cars crossed the frontier wire essentially a combined operation.
    [Show full text]
  • Canadian Army Morale, Discipline and Surveillance in the Second World War, 1939-1945
    University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2015-09-29 Medicine and Obedience: Canadian Army Morale, Discipline and Surveillance in the Second World War, 1939-1945. Pratt, William Pratt, W. (2015). Medicine and Obedience: Canadian Army Morale, Discipline and Surveillance in the Second World War, 1939-1945. (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26871 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2540 doctoral thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca Medicine and Obedience: Canadian Army Morale, Discipline, and Surveillance in the Second World War, 1939-1945. by William John Pratt A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE PROGRAM IN HISTORY CALGARY, ALBERTA SEPTEMBER, 2015 © William John Pratt 2015 Abstract In the Second World War Canadian Army, medicine and discipline were inherently linked in a system of morale surveillance. The Army used a wide range of tools to monitor morale on medical lines. A basic function of Canadian medical officers was to keep units and formations up to strength, not only by attending to their basic health, but also by scrutinizing ailments under suspicion of malingering.
    [Show full text]
  • Protestant Chaplains in the Canadian Military, 1939-1945 John M
    James Madison University JMU Scholarly Commons Masters Theses The Graduate School Spring 2017 God’s silent witnesses: Protestant chaplains in the Canadian Military, 1939-1945 John M. MacInnis James Madison University Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019 Part of the Military History Commons Recommended Citation MacInnis, John M., "God’s silent witnesses: Protestant chaplains in the Canadian Military, 1939-1945" (2017). Masters Theses. 505. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019/505 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the The Graduate School at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. God’s Silent Witnesses: Protestant Chaplains in the Canadian Military, 1939-1945 John Michael MacInnis A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of History May 2017 FACULTY COMMITTEE: Committee Chair: Dr. Michael Galgano Committee Members/ Readers: Dr. Michael Seth Dr. Andrew Witmer Dedication For my friends, family, and loved ones who kept me sane during graduate school. Ad maiorem Dei gloriam ii Acknowledgments Many thanks to the Graduate School for their financial assistance in my travel to France this past summer. The experience of going to Normandy was vital in the creation of this thesis. My time in France could not have been possible without Dr. Galgano and Normandy Allies leading the trip, it was a truly unforgettable experience. Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Second World War Through Primary- and Secondary-Source Research and Examination, Engaging Discussion Questions and Group Activities
    A project of with support from ///Message to Teachers/// Table of Contents This guide is intended to assist teachers and students as they study Canada’s involvement in the Second Message to Teachers 2 World War. It highlights some of the significant historical themes and events of that period but is not meant to be a comprehensive history of Canada and the war; in fact, some teachers may choose to highlight different Introduction 2 aspects of this period in their classes, such as the naval war on Canada’s doorstep or Canada’s participation in the bombing offensive against Germany. Nonetheless, the content presented here constitutes a meaningful entry Second World War Timeline 3–4 point into examining the country’s involvement in one of the 20th century’s pivotal armed conflicts. Additionally, the skills students will develop in the activities will apply to any existing units being used in class by teachers. Canada in Battle 5–8 Developed in line with the historical thinking concepts created by the Historical Thinking Project, Women and the War 8–9 this guide complements Canadian middle-school and high-school curricula. It invites students to deepen Home Front 9–10 their understanding of the Second World War through primary- and secondary-source research and examination, engaging discussion questions and group activities. The Ethical Dimension and the Second World War 10–12 This guide was produced by Historica Canada with the generous support of the Government of Canada. Legacy and Consequences 12 Further educational activities and resources are available on The Canadian Encyclopedia and The Memory Project websites.
    [Show full text]
  • World War II Timeline D
    6.2.4 World War II Timeline d 1933 Hitler comes to power in Germany. 1936 Hitler and Mussolini sign pact. November 9, 1938 Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues are looted and burned by Nazis. Reichskristallnacht, Many Jews are killed, and thousands are taken to concentration camps. Crystal Night September 3, 1939 France and Great Britain declare war on Germany. September 10, 1939 Canada declares war on Germany. October 1939 Poland surrenders to Germany. December 1939 First Canadian troops arrive in Britain. April 1940 Germany invades Denmark and Norway. May 10, 1940 Germany invades Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain. May 12, 1940 Germany invades France. May 14, 1940 Dutch army surrenders to Germany. May 20, 1940 German Army reaches the English Channel. May 28, 1940 Belgium surrenders to Germany. June 10, 1940 Italy declares war on Britain and France. June 22, 1940 France surrenders to Germany. Canada expands war effort. July 10, 1940 to Battle of Britain begins: Canada participates in air fights over the English October 31, 1940 Channel. November 1940 Troops and equipment from Canada start moving in carriers across the Atlantic. Battle of the Atlantic is underway. September 1940 Italy invades Egypt and Greece. June 1941 Germany invades Russia. Russia (Soviet Union) joins Allied powers. September 27, 1941 Japan joins the Axis powers. October 1941 Canada agrees to send two divisions of the Canadian army to Hong Kong to defend the British colony against Japan. November 1941 First Canadian Army is established in England under General McNaughton. December 1941 Soviets stop the German advance into Russia.
    [Show full text]
  • Major-General Christopher Vokes at the Battles of the Moro River and Ortona, December 1943
    Canadian Military History Volume 16 Issue 3 Article 3 2007 Trial by Fire: Major-General Christopher Vokes at the Battles of the Moro River and Ortona, December 1943 G.C. Case Canadian Armed Forces, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh Part of the Military History Commons Recommended Citation Case, G.C. "Trial by Fire: Major-General Christopher Vokes at the Battles of the Moro River and Ortona, December 1943." Canadian Military History 16, 3 (2007) This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Case: Trial by Fire Trial by Fire Major-General Christopher Vokes at the Battles of the Moro River and Ortona, December 1943 G.C. Case uring the month of December 1943, the 1st stretch Germany’s military resources to the DCanadian Infantry Division (1st Cdn Div) breaking point, especially following Operation underwent the most severe trial yet experienced Overlord, the forthcoming cross-Channel by Canadian troops in Italy, when it crossed the invasion of Europe. Despite these lofty goals, Moro River, engaged two German divisions in however, it would be a strictly limited effort. So rapid succession and, after a week of vicious as not to jeopardize the success of Overlord, it street fighting, took the town of Ortona. Hailed at was agreed by the Combined Chiefs of Staff that the time as victories, these battles have since been the commitment in the Mediterranean would not the subject of considerable debate among soldiers be reinforced.
    [Show full text]
  • Italian Campaign- Final.Pdf
    The Italian Campaign The Italian Campaign began with the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. The invasion went by the code name Operation Husky. It was the first attack on Axis-held Europe. It was also the first large scale use of paratroops in the war. Sicily was captured in a 38-day campaign that cost the U.S. 7th Army 7,500 and British troops 11,500 casualties The Germans lost 12,000 men killed or captured. The Italians lost 145,000 men killed or captured. “ The astonishing Americans, they fight all day, attack all night and shoot all the time” -From a letter written by a German soldier killed in the Sicily invasion. Time Life WWII: The Italian Campaign Mainland Italy was attacked by Allied Troops on September 8, 1943, just as the Italian government was surrendering to the Allied forces. The allies were now fighting only the Germans for control of Italy. Allied troops first took Salerno, then drove onto Naples. The original mission had been to drive Italy out of the war, once that had been achieved, their mission became to engage German troops so that they would not be able to reenforce Normandy, to do so they needed to push on to Rome. The first step in taking Rome was to face the German forces at the Winter Line, which was followed by the landing of troops at Anzio. At the Winter Line, the Allies had severe problems breaking into the Lirie Valley. After months of fighting and sustaining heavy losses, the Allies were able to break into the Lirie Valley, forcing the Germans to retreat.
    [Show full text]