We started our day at the landing beach at Salerno. This is
a 30-mile long, crescent shaped beach where dad came ashore from an LST with
the 36th Division, US Rangers, and the British 45th and
46th Divisions. The scope of this operation was huge and the danger
presented by the enemy position on the mountains nearby was ominous. What does
it take to move forward in the face of such odds? There is a monument here to
the bravery of those who did it.
Our next stop was the Sele River where the Germans tried to
turn the Allied forces around and send them back to the beachhead. Two hours of
relentless artillery fire turned the Panzers around and let them know the
Allies meant business.
Paestum, the site of Greek and then Roman ruins, was the
headquarters for allied operations. We
saw where the troop assembly area and the signal corps command area were tucked
in among ancient temples. Paestum is just off the beach at the tip of the bay
of Salerno.
Then we were off to the Chiunzi Pass, by way of Maori, where
the 601 supported Darby’s Rangers when they held off the Germans, giving the
Allies use of the Port of Naples. We had a great view of Mount Vesuvius from
this location. Dad’s recon unit went through Maori on the way to Acerno where
they encountered heavy opposition. Today Maori is a beach town with a number of
resorts, shops and restaurants. This is where we stopped for lunch.
Being here brings to life the enormity of the operation. The
mountains are huge, extremely steep, and treacherous. To say getting up there
with men and machines was a difficult task is an understatement. Doing so while
the enemy has the high ground and can watch all you are doing and fire at you
while you’re doing it seems impossible.
The drive from Paestum to Sorrento wound along the Amalfi
Coast on a narrow winding road along the edge of the mountains. It was
alternately breathtaking and terrifying.
Above: Listening to the history of this strategic beach
Below: The beach at Salerno
Inscription on the monument to the 36th Infantry Division.
This monument is dedicated to the brave men of the Thirty Sixth Infantry Division of the United States of America who lost their lives in the liberation of Italy beginning on these beaches. September 9, 1943.
The ancient ruins in Paestum where the Allied Headquarters were located
The drive along The Amalfi Coast, alternately breathtaking and terrifying.
A monument to Darby's Rangers in Maori. The 601 was heavily involved in this battle.
In Maori, along the Amalfi Coast
Sunset over Vesuvius in Sorrento
We are in Sorrento for the night. Our room looks out over
the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius – WOW! We plan to explore this beautiful
seaside town after dinner.
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ReplyDeleteMy father too served in the Italian campaign during WWII in the US 36th Division, 143rd Infantry Division. My dad passed in June 2010, but I was able to visit Italy in Sept. 2013 and follow many of his footsteps while he served in Italy. Like you, I really thought it brought everything to live seeing the landscape in which the battles were fought.
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