War In Italy 1944

"The Slow Advance In Italy" in ILN 10/30/43 top - mid - bot - big

Cassino in ILN 6/03/44

Liberation of Italy 6/05/44 from FDRL - Images of Italy

Jan. 20 - Rapido crossing

• to break into Liri Valley, pave way for Anzio
• but failed by Jan. 21

Jan. 22 - Op. SHINGLE - Anzio

• "end run" around Gustav Line, to open the road to Rome
• cancelled by Ike Dec. 22, but re-newed by Churchill to support ANVIL
• The ANVIL plan was approved with OVERLORD after Teheran, and the invasion of southern France required a Central Med. Force to be kept in northern Italy and then transported to southern France
• Hitler reinforced Anzio defense with 70,000 German troops
• Anzio landing force only saved by naval gunfire

Feb. 15 - Monte Cassino bombed by 229 heavies

May 11 - Gustav Line breached

• Germans fell back to Adolph Hitler Line,
• then to the Gothic Line below Po Valley

June 4 - Rome fell

• Allies should have stopped here
• troops being transferred to England

Sept. 10 - Gothic Line attacked

• 262,000 U.S. troops
• Futa Pass diversion, main attack on Giogo Pass

March 8, 1945 - Operation Sunrise began in Switzerland

April 14, 1945 - Po Valley advance after "winter pause"

May 6, 1945 - Kesselring surrender

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Newsreels:

• "Action in Anzio," Universal 17-279 newsreel, 3/23/44 (2) on DVD53
• "Bombs fail to crack Cassino," Universal 17-283 newsreel, 4/6/44 (2) on DVD53
• "The Italian War Front," Universal 17-288 newsreel, 4/24/44 (4) on DVD53
• "Advance on Rome," Universal 17-298 newsreel, 5/29/44 on DV D53
• "Allies Close On Rome," Universal 17-299 newsreel, 6/1/44 on DV D53
• "First Pictures Of Rome's Capture," Universal 17-303 newsreel, 6/15/44 on DVD53
• "The Allies Take Elba," Universal 17-307 newsreel, 6/29/44 (2) on DVD53

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