Chapter 7 The Big Picture: A Short History of World War II | 153 |
When the Allies renew the offensive on May 11, four corps are thrown forward the U.S. II, the Polish II, the British XIII, and the French Expeditionary Force. The twelve attacking divisions face only six German divisions. While there is general progress all along the Gustav Line, it is the French who finally crack the line for good. On May 14, they break into the Ausente Valley and race towards the next German line; they hope to crack this line before the Germans can settle into their defensive positions. By May 16, only the Poles face determined resistance, at the ruins of a monastery in Cassino; everywhere else the Germans are falling back to their next line of defense. The Poles finally capture the monastery at Cassino on May 18.
On May 23, the U.S. VI Corps slams into the German defenders at Anzio. No breakthrough is achieved, but the Germans are pushed steadily back. By May 25, the U.S. II Corps links up with the U.S. VI Corps from Anzio; the threat of the Anzio forces on their flank causes the Germans to withdraw further north.
Once the Allied forces begin to advance, General Clark shifts the axis of the attacks toward Rome. This ensures the liberation of Rome in early June, and also allows that Kesselring’s forces escape to their next line of defense, the Viterbo Line north of Rome.
On June 5, 1944, the Allies roll into Rome. The thousands of Allied vehicles entering the city cause a traffic jam so bad that the Allies are unable to use their full strength to chase the retreating Germans. The next line of defense for the Germans is the Gothic Line, 150 miles north of Rome. By August 15, the Eighth and Fifth Armies are in contact with the this line. However, the drain on resources for Operation Anvil (the amphibious landings in southern France) forces the Allies to wait before any attacks can be launched.
The value of air attacks and naval bombardment before landing is proved in Italy the toughest landing takes place where Clark has ordered that naval bombardment not be used in order to achieve surprise. Ground support from the air and bombing of the enemy’s approaches to the battlefield continues to prove invaluable; the side that commands air superiority over the battlefield definitely has the advantage.
The Allies again encounter an enemy who is giving ground, but doing so grudgingly. The Germans have not been routed. They prove to be masterful at using terrain where a small force can easily hold up a much larger one. This tactic using the terrain to maximize the effectiveness of small units will be a major factor in the Normandy invasion. The ferocity of the German troops is also a factor both in Italy and France; not only do they contest ground stubbornly, they withdraw leaving blasted bridges, land mines, and booby traps.
“Garand rifles giving superior service to Springfield, no mechanical defects reported or stoppages due to dust and dirt from foxhole use. Good gun oil required as lubricant to prevent gumming, but have been used in foxhole fighting day and night for a week without cleaning and lubricating. All these weapons are excellent ones...”
General Douglas MacArthur in cablegram to General George Marshall (February 20, 1942)
