Gustav Line broken – Rome falls

In late January 1944 a daring set of attacks by the allies in Italy began. In the mountains, in the Liri Valley, the British, led by the 49th (West Riding) division, made good use of foggy weather and some appalling German gunnery near Casino, to make a determined push right, over the mountain passes and down into the Sangro valley. The British, supported by Churchill Crocodiles and overwhelming superiority in artillery, found the going much easier than expected. A full breakthrough was only checked when Kesselring redirected forces from the Adolf Hitler line east to defend Ortona. The British had been stopped.

However, at the same time the allies landed a significant force, numbering some three divisions, on Corsica, in an attempt to establish a launchpad for the invasion of Northern Italy. This, it was argued would prevent a long bloody slog up the spine of the country. The plan received luke warm support from the Americans, but went ahead. Unfortunately two SS panzer divisions were refitting in the comparative quiet of the Corsican vineyards and the landing force, after several intense battles, were forced to abandon the assault.

Hitler was pleased by the allied failure on Corsica, but had little time to enjoy the victory. While Kesselring had been distracted by the “Corsican affair” and the British push towards Ortona, the American force in Italy, with the Airborne in the vanguard, made a daring rush past the now weakened German positions at Casino. The rush tool the Germans completely by surprise, and suddenly, on the 21st January, Rome lay undefended. Before Kesselring could react, the Americans stormed into the ancient city.

In Berlin Hitler flew into a rage and ordered that the ancient Roman city must be reduced to rubble and every allied soldier removed from its boundaries, at any cost.