Italian Front, Feb 1944

February 1944 began with the expected counter-attack by German forces on the Italian capital. The allies expected this, so planned an operation of their own to continue their advance north across the country. The British, with their heavy artillery now dug in and concealed in the rubble of the ancient city, would repulse any German attack while the Americans drove north along the coast, while simultaneously dropping airborne troops near Rieti and north of Viterbo. This, the allies hoped, would surround the Germans and allow a swift advance to the Gothic Line.

The Germans began their drive on the city, with Kesselring employing his best troops, including two Panzer Divisions. Hampered by the rubble strewn narrow streets, the British found it difficult to commit their reserves where they were most needed, and the troops on the front line suffered badly as the Panzer divisions rolled towards Rome. Casualties soon mounted, with the British 53rd division suffering particularly badly. Facing an all out attack on Rome the Americans hastily began their operation to salvage the situation.

The American forces driving along the coast found the going relatively easy, with Tarquinia and Viterbo falling relatively easily, before a German counter attack checked their advance on the 18th of February, forcing the Americans to dig in along a line from the coast to Lake Bolsena. Meanwhile the airborne troops dropping inland soon found themselves in difficulty. They initially met with success, cutting the supply lines serving the German attack on Rome. However this was to lead to their demise.

With the British having been seriously mauled and Kesselring unwilling to commit Panzers to the streets of Rome itself, he turned the attack around and, with troops also advancing from the north, annihilated the airborne units near Rieta in just three days. The allies had made small gains, but Rome was still in danger and the casualties, particularly among the US airborne units, had been cripplingly high.