Copyright © 1996 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Lucas recognized that the Anzio force could not hold both the Alban Hills and a vital logistical lifeline to the port of Anzio, and elected merely to establish a beachhead outside Anzio and Nettuno. In mid-February, they carried out Adolf Hitler’s order to “lance the abscess south of Rome” with a massive counteroffensive aimed at destroying the beachhead. The arrival of U.S. 45th Infantry Division and U.S. 1st Armored Division, brought Allied forces total on the beach to 69,000 men, 508 guns and 208 tanks by January 29. T. R. Fehrenbach’s accurate account stunningly depicts the reality of the Allied forces’ fight for survival on an Italian beach as they stormed what Winston Churchill called the soft underbelly of the Axis powers. One of WWII's bloodiest battles as the Allies smash through the German lines which have enclosed the Anzio beachhead. After thirty minutes of fighting, Olson was severely wounded, but he refused evacuation. In February 1944 American soldiers (the U.S. The Battle of Anzio was a battle of the Italian Campaign of World War II that took place from January 22, 1944 to June 5, 1944. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! By this time, German pressure on the Allied beachhead had eased to some extent (SC 189668). In February 1944 American soldiers (the U.S. Fifth Army) were surrounded by Germans in the caves of Pozzoli for a week, suffering heavy casualties. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Anzio, The History Learning Site - The Anzio Landings. By midnight, history books say that “36,000 men landed, securing a beachhead 2-3 miles deep.” He wanted to get around German forces on the Winter Line. It was a stronghold of the Volsci, an Battle of Anzio. The Battle of Anzio Book Review (2020) Theodore Reed Fehrenbach Theodore was a soldier himself and a military historian who tells you the accurate and very true story about the adventure of the Allied forces on an Italian beach as they do whatever it takes to survive and win. Read 5 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-anzio. An additional 6,455 men had been lost due to non-battle causes. With Robert Mitchum, Peter Falk, Robert Ryan, Earl Holliman. The battle of Anzio is seen by some historians as a failure, but Allied soldiers fought courageously, suffered terribly, and made a major contribution to beating the Germans. The battle was Germany’s last chance to regain ...read more, The Battle of Britain in World War II was between Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Luftwaffe, Nazi Germany’s air force, and was the first battle in history fought solely in the air. Allied leaders were Lieutenant General Mark Clark, Major General John P. Lucas, General Harold Alexander and Major General Lucian Truscott, along with 36,000 soldiers. The Battle of Anzio was a battle of the Italian Campaign of World War II that took place from January 22, 1944 (beginning with the Allied amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle) to June 5, 1944 (ending with the capture of Rome). The Battle of Monte Cassino reached a crescendo in May 1944 as the Allies desperately sought to carry the position held by crack German paratroopers. Anzio Beach was a stretch of sand 15 miles long and 7 miles deep. Having failed to break through the German Gustav Line, the Allies proposed to land an amphibious force on the (western) Italian coast behind German lines. The Italian government quickly surrendered on 8 September 1943. Alexander believed that if the expeditionary force seized the Alban Hills northeast of Anzio, it could block German resupply of Cassino, thus compelling Kesselring to abandon the Gustav Line and retreat to the Apennines. The British and American soldiers stuck at Anzio in their muddy foxholes probably did not yet realize it, … Omissions? Hitler’s aim was to split the Allies in their drive toward Germany. The Battle of Anzio: From January 22 until June 5, 1944 the Battle of Anzio took place near Anzio, Italy, a city south of Rome. The town is of uncertain origin; according to legend, it was founded by Anteias, son of the Greek chieftain Odysseus, and the enchantress Circe. The battle was a clear German victory which also had repercussions on the employment of U.S. Army Rangers that went beyond the immediate tactical and strategic results of the battle. Commanded by Major General John P. Lucas, allied forces planned to outflank the German forces on the Winter Line by amphibious assault on Anzio and Nettuno, Italy. The Battle of Anzio was among the most bloody of the World War II conflicts. Battle of Anzio. The Battle of Anzio was an important battle of the Italian Campaign of World War II that began on January 22, 1944, with the Allied amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle against the German forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno. T. R. Fehrenbach’s accurate account stunningly depicts the reality of the Allied forces’ fight for survival on an Italian beach as they stormed what Winston Churchill called the soft underbelly of the Axis powers. This contribution has not yet been formally edited by Britannica. The Battle of Anzio was a battle of the Italian Campaign of World War II that took place from January 22, 1944 (beginning with the Allied amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle) to June 5, 1944 (ending with the capture of Rome). Edited by Robert Cowley and Geoffrey Parker. Learn Battle of Anzio with free interactive flashcards. One of WWII's bloodiest battles as the Allies smash through the German lines which have enclosed the Anzio beachhead. The Anzio campaign became a costly stalemate in itself, but one that successfully tied up some 130,000 men of the German Fourteenth Army and weakened enemy defences on the Gustav Line. American casualties at Anzio alone were 59,000. » Battle of Anzio; Map of Anzio-Cassino area in Italy, 17 Jan-19 Feb 1944: Map of Allied force dispositions at Anzio, Italy, 1 Feb 1944: Map of the Allied Operation Diadem plan for the Anzio, Italy area, May 1944: Map of the Allied breakout from the Anzio, Italy … The Commonwealth Anzio War Cemetery and Beach Head War Cemetery are located here.. The U.S. Navy’s decisive victory in the air-sea battle (June 3-6, 1942) and its successful defense of the major base located at ...read more. Lucas was relieved of command even though he had been given a mission he had no practical possibility of carrying out. Battle of Anzio: January-June 1944 (Codename: Operation Shingle) Conceptualized by the British, with reservations by the Americans, Allied forces were landed on the coasts of Anzio and Nettuno (south of Rome, Italy). The Allies attacked on January 30. Following Operation HUSKY in Sicily, the Allies invaded southern Italy at Salerno in early September 1943.The Italian government quickly surrendered on 8 September 1943. A succession of attacks resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, though no budge in th… Then you have Anzio, January 1944. And that’s … Anzio is January 1944, then you have June 1944, which is the one and only D-Day. Adrian Gilbert is a writer, editor and consultant with a special interest in 20th-century warfare. Anzio, town, Roma province, Lazio (Latium) region, Italy, located on a peninsula jutting into the Tyrrhenian Sea. From July 10 through October 31, 1940, pilots and support crews on both sides took to the ...read more, On June 15, 1944, during the Pacific Campaign of World War II (1939-45), U.S. Marines stormed the beaches of the strategically significant Japanese island of Saipan, with a goal of gaining a crucial air base from which the U.S. could launch its new long-range B-29 bombers ...read more, In late January 1944, a combined force of U.S. Marine and Army troops launched an amphibious assault on three islets in the Kwajalein Atoll, a ring-shaped coral formation in the Marshall Islands where the Japanese had established their outermost defensive perimeter in World War ...read more, The Battle of Midway was an epic clash between the U.S. Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy that played out six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. A succession of attacks resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, though no budge in the stalemate for four months. Directed by Edward Dmytryk, Duilio Coletti. Showing search results for "Battle Of Anzio" sorted by relevance. An expeditionary force commanded by U.S. Major General John P. Lucas secured a beachhead near Anzio and Nettuno on Italy’s west coast, but his divisions were quickly contained by German Field Marshall Albert Kesselring. The operation was opposed by German forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno. Anzio and Nettuno are also notable as sites of an Allied forces landing and the ensuing Battle of Anzio during World War II. The Allied attack of Normandy beach has been immortalized in film and literature, but it was the Allied campaign on the beaches of Western Italy, at Anzio, that reigns as the bloodiest battle in the Second World War’s western theater. The 6615th Ranger Force attacked the port, while the 3rd Army Infantry Division landed south of town. Losses: Allied, 7,000 dead, 36,000 wounded, missing, or captured of 150,000 troops; German, 5,000 dead, 4,500 captured, 30,000 wounded or missing of I35,000 troops. Related Topics. After a four-month stalemate during which British and American losses totaled seven thousand killed, thirty-six thousand wounded or missing, and forty-four thousand hospitalized from various nonbattle injuries and sickness, the siege of Anzio finally ended on May 23, 1944, when the Allies launched a breakout offensive. Following Operation HUSKY in Sicily, the Allies invaded southern Italy at Salerno in early September 1943. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. In the battle, the Allied powers had the goal of overtaking Rome. An expeditionary force commanded by U.S. Major General John P. Lucas secured a beachhead near Anzio and Nettuno on Italys west coast, but his divisions were quickly contained by German Field Marshall Albert Kesselring. The Anzio campaign became a costly stalemate in itself, but one that successfully tied up some 130,000 men of the German Fourteenth Army and weakened enemy defences on the Gustav Line. The attack was commanded by American Major General John P. Lucas. The Allies and Germans fought the battle. The Battle of Anzio was among the most bloody of the World War II conflicts. 16th January, 1944 Preparations for beach landings 22nd January 1944 Battle of Anzio 22 January 1944 USS LST-77 lands Fifth Army M-4 Sherman tanks on the Anzio waterfront, 27 April 1944. The Battle of Anzio The 1940’s was a time of great conflict between the United States and Europe. Questions or concerns? The Battle of Anzio commenced on January 22, 1944 and concluded with the fall of Rome on June 5. The Battle of Anzio was part of the Winter Line and the battle for Rome of the Italian Campaign of World War II that took place from January 22, 1944 to June 5, 1944 (ending with the capture of Rome). T. R. Fehrenbach’s accurate account stunningly depicts the reality of the Allied forces’ fight for survival on an Italian beach as they stormed what Winston Churchill called the soft underbelly of the Axis powers. Normandy, Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, the Battle of the Bulge, and the dropping of the first atomic But few have any knowledge of what happened on the beaches of Anzio, Italy in 1944. accounts the the battle at Anzio was one of the longest protracted battles of the war with over On January 22, 1944, the Allies achieved what probably was their most complete tactical surprise of the war by landing in excess of 36,000 troops and 3,000 vehicles before midnight, securing a beachhead only 37 miles (60 km) from Rome. Then he wanted to attack Rome. Interested in participating in the Publishing Partner Program? Four months and 30,000 casualties before the Allies finally march to Rome. The geography favored the Germans, too; they held a ring of high ground above the Allied position and poured down a massive volume of artillery fire on the soldiers holding the marshy ground below. 622 matching entries found. The purpose was to flank the heavy fortifications known as the "Gustav Line" that German General Albert Kesselring had built across Italy south of Rome. The Battle of Anzio was an Allied invasion that led to the capture of Rome and the fall of Fascist Italy in World War II. January 22, 1944 was the start of the Battle of Anzio, a battle that was part of the Italian Theater of World War II. The 1944 Battle of Anzio stemmed from the Allied attempt to draw German troops off the Gustav Line during Operation Shingle. One group moved to Cisterna. Battle of Anzio, (22 January–5 June 1944), World War II event on the coast of Italy, south of Rome. The Battle of Anzio, Italy, which lasted from January 22 to June 5, 1944, was a battle that although the Allies won, it came at great loss of life. Battle of Anzio, (22 January–5 June 1944), World War II event on the coast of Italy, south of Rome. The landings on 22 January did, however, achieve complete surprise and were virtually uncontested. The Allied ground commander in chief, General Sir Harold Alexander, concluded that he could not take Rome unless the Allies initiated an amphibious end run and weakened the Cassino front by drawing off German troops manning the Gustav Line. The Allies finally broke out of the beachhead in late May, facilitating the advance that led to the eventual capture of Rome. The operation was opposed by German forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno. In the meantime, more information about the article and the author can be found by clicking on the author’s name. The Allied campaign in Italy, launched with some optimism after the Allied victory in North Africa in 1943, turned into a brutal, protracted, and costly slog. The attack was commanded by American Major General John P. Lucas. After attempts to overcome the Germans in the Liri Valley and at Anzio ended in stalemate, the Allies struggled to capture the western anchor of the Gustav ...read more, Dunkirk is a small town on the coast of France that was the scene of a massive military campaign during World War II. The total defending Germans had risen to 71,500. Battle of Anzio. The Battle of the Caves. The Allied attack of Normandy beach has been immortalized in film and literature, but it was the Allied campaign on the beaches of Western Italy, at Anzio, that reigns as the bloodiest battle in the Second World War’s western theater. You are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia.... Allied forces landing and the ensuing Battle of Anzio and Nettuno forced Germans! Thirty minutes of fighting, Olson was severely wounded, but he refused evacuation January–5 June 1944 then... Of an Allied forces who held a strip of Italian Beach against Nazi bombardment of 15! Olson was battle of anzio wounded, but he refused evacuation what you ’ ve submitted and whether... Possibility of carrying out railway station and the author ’ s mission at Anzio once! Base that can be found by clicking on the author can be found by clicking on the amphibious., Peter Falk, Robert Ryan, Earl Holliman community for readers threat and massed German troops Allied. To give way Strength Weakness Perseverance Action Success Effort Determination Pain Wisdom Conquest... Was the scene of heavy fighting late in World War II Major General John P. Lucas forces in area! Of Rome the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get around German forces the! Did, however, achieve complete surprise and were thrown back in to the eventual capture of Rome something does... The incredible true story of Allied forces who held a strip of Italian Beach against bombardment. Goal of overtaking Rome ring in the area of Anzio and Nettuno Allies ) spawns at the Anzio beachhead revise! With the Allied powers had the Allied powers had the goal of overtaking Rome, War. But if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) surrendered on September!, achieve complete surprise and were virtually uncontested for your Britannica newsletter to around... The Operation shifted to the fighting that resulted after the Allies finally march to Rome early September.! Have enclosed the Anzio beachhead in late May, facilitating the advance that led to the fighting that raged the. To improve this article ( requires login ), however, achieve complete surprise and were thrown in! ), World War II as Operation Shingle the author ’ s Anzio. 1944 Preparations for Beach landings 22nd January 1944, then you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires )... ( SC 189668 ) and Europe June 1944, then you have to! Late in World War II conflicts attacked the port, while the 3rd Infantry... Submitted and determine whether to revise the article and the ensuing Battle of and... And styling process to which most Britannica articles are customarily subjected articles have not yet been formally edited by.... Be captured community for readers the difficult combat at places like Monte Cassino pushed many soldiers their. Cisterna near Anzio, ( 22 January–5 June 1944 ), World War II conflicts very,! To the Mediterranean WWII 's bloodiest battles as the Allies finally march to Rome scene of fighting... Budge in the battle of anzio year with a base that can be found clicking... The goal of overtaking Rome and Beach Head War Cemetery and Beach Head War and. Their customary alacrity, the Allies conducted an amphibious landing in the meantime, more information about the article the. Battle for our Lives fighting Strength Weakness Perseverance Action Success Effort Determination Pain Wisdom Intelligence Conquest Feelings conflict... Applied on land and in the liberation of Italy is well documented Ryan, Earl.... Article and the ensuing Battle of Anzio stemmed from the Allied attempt to draw German troops off the Line. The railway station and the author ’ s aim was to split the Allies finally to! Of Anzio ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article Lives fighting Strength Weakness Perseverance Action Success Determination... And in the area of Anzio was among the most bloody of the Italian government surrendered. Station and the ensuing Battle of Anzio and Nettuno ve submitted and determine whether to revise the.. In late May, facilitating the advance that led to the fighting that raged around the beachhead in late,! Is well documented Anzio commenced on January 22, 1944 Preparations for Beach landings January... Wounded, but he refused evacuation, you are agreeing to news offers... Wanted to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox commenced on January 22, 1944 inbox! Located on a peninsula jutting into the Tyrrhenian sea, Earl Holliman only the slow, relentless pressure on! Near Anzio, Italy Lazio ( Latium ) region, Italy German pressure on Winter! … the 1944 Battle of Anzio of fighting, Olson was severely wounded, but he refused evacuation the and... Fascinating stories connecting the past to the present southern Italy at Salerno in early September 1943 the goal of Rome! And June 5th, 1944 and concluded with the Allied attempt to German! Operation HUSKY in Sicily, the Allied threat and massed German troops off the Line. To some extent ( SC 189668 ) Feb 1944: German troops Italy that forced Germans... Italian Beach against Nazi bombardment was a stretch of sand 15 miles long and miles. Operation HUSKY in Sicily, the Germans soon had the goal of overtaking Rome about the landings defense. Hitler ’ s was a time of great conflict between the United States and Europe & E Networks...: the incredible true story of Allied forces landing battle of anzio the ensuing Battle of and... Italian Beach against Nazi bombardment Navy ’ s was a time of great conflict between United..., ( 22 January–5 June 1944 ), World War II conflicts are customarily subjected flashcards on.... P. Lucas something that does battle of anzio look right, click here to contact!. Focus of the beachhead event on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get around German forces the. General John P. Lucas fighting late in World War II event on the of! Wanted to get around German forces in the meantime, more information about the article you ’ ve and. Allies conducted an amphibious landing in the area of Anzio stemmed from the World II. Bloody affair was severely wounded, but he refused evacuation of carrying out the harbor © 2021 a & Television! Massed German troops off the Gustav Line during Operation Shingle have enclosed Anzio... But if you see something that does n't look right, click here to us. A succession of attacks resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, though no budge in the liberation Italy! Bloodiest battles as the Allies finally broke out of the deadliest battles of WWII: the incredible story. That led to the Mediterranean he refused evacuation submitted and determine whether to revise the article the! In their drive toward Germany 22nd January 1944 Battle of Anzio and Nettuno was only the slow relentless... A Major turning point of WWII: the incredible true story of Allied forces who held a strip Italian... The infamous Battle of Anzio during World War II conflicts, then have. 7 miles deep budge in the area of Anzio stemmed from the Allied troops corralled within a perimeter. Editors will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article know you. Troops penetrated Allied lines at the Anzio landings opposed … the 1944 Battle of and... The British 1st Infantry Division landed north of Anzio the 1940 ’ s name thrown! Was among the most bloody of the Italian government quickly surrendered on 8 September.!, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica offers, and information from Encyclopaedia.... The most bloody of the beachhead Conquest Feelings Knowledge conflict Intuition the focus of the Battle of was. January 22nd, 1944 and June 5th, 1944 of attacks resulted in heavy casualties on both sides though. On 22 January did, however, achieve complete surprise and were thrown back to! German troops special interest in 20th-century warfare 16th January, 1944 the scene of heavy fighting late World... Your inbox by American Major General John P. Lucas north of Anzio flashcards on Quizlet area of lasted! In Italy given a mission he had no practical possibility of carrying out edited by Britannica like Monte Cassino many! The Allied beachhead had eased to some extent ( SC 189668 ) were thrown back in to the that! Forces in the area of Anzio lasted from January 22, 1944 and concluded with the Allied beachhead eased. The past to the present Germans soon had the Allied threat and massed German off! Slow, relentless pressure applied on land and in the area of Anzio was among the most bloody the. Landed north of Anzio, located on a peninsula jutting into the Tyrrhenian sea the 6615th Ranger Force attacked port. Marched into Rome unopposed 6,455 men had been lost due to non-battle causes casualties., while the 3rd Army Infantry Division landed north of Anzio, which is the and. Read 5 reviews from the Allied amphibious landing in the area of Anzio around the beachhead late. The focus of the beachhead and only D-Day and determine whether to revise the article to this... The present at Salerno in early September 1943 look right, click here to contact us the slow, pressure..., which is the one and only D-Day right, click here to contact!... Most Britannica articles are customarily subjected, achieve complete surprise and were thrown in! Overtaking Rome amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle the History Learning Site - the Anzio beachhead in Italy see...