The control of North Africa allowed allies to make forward in retaking Europe. This lead them to target Italy first. In 1943 (July) Italy was invaded by the U.S. and British forces. British and American forces landed a few hundred miles north in Salerno.
A secret agreement with the new Italian government led by Pietro Badoglio,
signed 3 September, would neutralize the Italian forces, leaving only German
divisions offering resistance. As soon ad the Germans found out about their capitulations they seized Italy's military, kidnapped and imprisoned former allies, and attack their ships.
signed 3 September, would neutralize the Italian forces, leaving only German
divisions offering resistance. As soon ad the Germans found out about their capitulations they seized Italy's military, kidnapped and imprisoned former allies, and attack their ships.
The path of the german & Italy in 1941
The Allies were stopped cold by a combination of German artillery, Italian
winter, and mountainous terrain. Little change could be made, even having animals
to transport troops and supplies over the rocky battlefields. By January 1944, it was clear the
Allies were not going to break the line.
The answer was to leapfrog around the Gustav Line.
Choosing to land at Anzio, US Army General Mark Clark put ashore one and 2/3
divisions. A major concern was the lack of landing craft, especially Landing
Ship Tank (LSTs) that were the backbone of most American amphibious landings in
all theatres.
winter, and mountainous terrain. Little change could be made, even having animals
to transport troops and supplies over the rocky battlefields. By January 1944, it was clear the
Allies were not going to break the line.
The answer was to leapfrog around the Gustav Line.
Choosing to land at Anzio, US Army General Mark Clark put ashore one and 2/3
divisions. A major concern was the lack of landing craft, especially Landing
Ship Tank (LSTs) that were the backbone of most American amphibious landings in
all theatres.
The Allies attacked the Gustav Line. First, Allied soldiers landed in Southern France on
August 15, threatening the Germans’ west. Then, Greece was evacuated in
October, allowing the Allies to menace the Germans from both sides of the
Italian command. British forces began the attack on the Gothic Line on September
10, 1944.
The Italian mountains helped the Germans. The British Eighth Army, the
American 10th Mountain Division, and many other units, fought
through Ravenna and up the Po Valley through April 1945. On April 27, roving
bands of Italian guerillas captured Mussolini and killed him the next day.
German forces surrendered on April 29.
August 15, threatening the Germans’ west. Then, Greece was evacuated in
October, allowing the Allies to menace the Germans from both sides of the
Italian command. British forces began the attack on the Gothic Line on September
10, 1944.
The Italian mountains helped the Germans. The British Eighth Army, the
American 10th Mountain Division, and many other units, fought
through Ravenna and up the Po Valley through April 1945. On April 27, roving
bands of Italian guerillas captured Mussolini and killed him the next day.
German forces surrendered on April 29.