Italian Campaign June 10, 1943 May 02, 1945

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1 Italian Campaign June 10, 1943 May 02, 1945 In the Italian Campaign there were three major amphibious missions to take over Italy. 1. Sicily (Operation Husky) 2. Salerno (Operation Avalanche) 3. Anzio (Operation Shingle) 1

Operation Husky the Sicily Campaign, July 9 August 17, 1943.

attack on the left flank, around British General Montgomery.

Meanwhile, jarred by the Allied invasion, the Italian

Benito Mussolini was deposed and arrested.

Badoglio, who had opposed Italy s alliance with Nazi Germany

2 Operation Husky the Sicily Campaign, July 9 August 17, The 5th US and 8th British Armies landed on Sicily on July 9, American General Patton was selected to lead the secondary attack on the left flank, around British General Montgomery. Patton was determined to beat the British to Messina. Meanwhile, jarred by the Allied invasion, the Italian fascist regime fell rapidly into disrepute, as the Allies had hoped. On July 24, 1943 King Victor Emmanuel III had Prime Minister Benito Mussolini was deposed and arrested. A new provisional government was set up under Marshal Pietro Badoglio, who had opposed Italy s alliance with Nazi Germany and who immediately began secret discussions with the Allies about an armistice. In a daring raid the Germans rescued Mussolini from prison and set him up as a puppet leader over a new Republic. 2

As Patton and Montgomery closed in on the northeastern port of Messina, the German and Italian armies managed (over several nights) to evacuate 100,000 men, along with

When his American soldiers moved into Messina on August 17, 1943, Patton, expecting to fight one final battle, was surprised to learn that the enemy forces had

3 As Patton and Montgomery closed in on the northeastern port of Messina, the German and Italian armies managed (over several nights) to evacuate 100,000 men, along with over 10,000 vehicles, supplies and ammunition, across the Strait of Messina to the Italian mainland. When his American soldiers moved into Messina on August 17, 1943, Patton, expecting to fight one final battle, was surprised to learn that the enemy forces had disappeared. Eisenhower nor his principal air, land, and sea commanders had formulated a coordinated plan to prevent the withdrawal of Axis forces from the island. This was a major blunder for the Allies. In all the battle for Sicily lasted 38 days. 3

Salerno (Operation Avalanche) Operation Avalanche the Invasion Italy, September 3 & 9 1943.

Just before the 5th US Army landed at Salerno, below Naples on the 9th, the Italian government had surrendered and

Soon, both armies had captured the lower part of Italy, including the Foggia airfield and the valuable port of

4 Salerno (Operation Avalanche) Operation Avalanche the Invasion Italy, September 3 & On 3rd, Montgomery landed at the toe of Italy after an extensive artillery bombardment. Just before the 5th US Army landed at Salerno, below Naples on the 9th, the Italian government had surrendered and ordered Italians not to resist. Soon, both armies had captured the lower part of Italy, including the Foggia airfield and the valuable port of Naples. By December, the Germans had retreated to the natural fortresses along the Liri Valley just south of Rome. The Allies were about to attempt something that had only been done once in Rome's history; capture the Eternal city from its southern approaches 4

GUSTAV Line & Battles for Cassino Jan May 1944.

The British had a hard time on the east coast because of the many rivers and ridges that

On the Cassino front, or GUSTAV Line, the US had a set back at the crossing of the Rappido

5 GUSTAV Line & Battles for Cassino Jan May An estimated 180,000 men were killed or wounded during this 4 month period. The British had a hard time on the east coast because of the many rivers and ridges that crossed their paths. On the Cassino front, or GUSTAV Line, the US had a set back at the crossing of the Rappido River. The II Corps were landed further north behind German lines at Anzio. Both fronts became a stalemate after 3 attacks were made against the GUSTAV Line. The Allies made a controversial decision to bomb the abbey Monte Cassino. 5

Anzio (Operation Shingle) Jan. 1944 Allies used an amphibious assault to deploy troops behind the Gustav Line.

6 Anzio (Operation Shingle) Jan Allies used an amphibious assault to deploy troops behind the Gustav Line. They were very successful but were slow moving, overly cautious, and allowed the Germans to regroup farther up in Italy. June 4 Allies finally reached Rome in a hollow triumph. Most of the German Tenth Army escaped from Rome and the Germans established a strong defense along the Gothic Line. This prevented the Allies from taking the Italian industrial area and the Alpine approaches to Germany. 6

Rapid advance into Po Valley. Feb April 1945.

during late winter operations. On April 19, the British initiated an attack towards Bologna.

After fall of Bologna, the allies pushed out of the mountains and raced across the Po River

7 Rapid advance into Po Valley. Feb April A few more units arrived, most notably, the 10th Mountain Division, which was used effectively during late winter operations. On April 19, the British initiated an attack towards Bologna. This was followed by the 5th Army attack that had been delayed by a couple of days. After fall of Bologna, the allies pushed out of the mountains and raced across the Po River valley. Amid much confusion, the Allies advanced rapidly and chased the retreating Germans into the Alps. Mussolini and 15 other Fascist leaders were executed by partisans. 7

3/6/2017. The Italian Campaign, the Abbey of Monte Cassino & Mussolini. September 1943 May After Mussolini is Removed

3/6/2017. The Italian Campaign, the Abbey of Monte Cassino & Mussolini. September 1943 May After Mussolini is Removed The Italian Campaign, the Abbey of Monte Cassino & Mussolini September 1943 May 1945 1 After Mussolini is Removed German military floods into Italy takes up key positions south of Rome Germans disarm Italian