Nettuno and Anzio

The sun is shining now, but it poured as we visited the sites of the Anzio invasion. On January 22, 1944 American and British forces landed all along the beach from Nettuno to Anzio. The plan was that the troops coming in from the coast would combine with those who would eventually break through at Monte Cassino to advance to Rome as one powerful force. That did happen, eventually, but for 4 months the troops in Anzio and Nettuno had to fight their way inland while those trying to take Monte Cassino met with the obstacles I noted yesterday.

The 601 came ashore at X-ray Beach, attached to the 3rd Division.

The 601 history notes:
It is military history that there was no real opposition during those first days...elements of the 601st Recon Co. rode to within seventeen miles of Rome without drawing fire.

General Lucas, in charge of the entire operation, did not immediately advance (even though Jim Stevens reported that the way was clear) because he wanted to wait until he had more troops and supplies. On the fourth day, however, German forces arrived to drive the allies back to the beach. Thus, a four month delay in which allied troops were living in a shooting gallery. By day there was artillery fire from German troops on the nearby hills and at night dog-fights between messerschmidts and piper cubs, along with incessant bombing raids. The 601 history refers to the constant horror of the place. Lucas was relieved of command two weeks after the invasion.

During that 4 month period "There was a greater concentration of men and guns and tanks and destroyers on that little beachhead than anywhere else in the world."

I am in awe my father and his fellow soldiers who endured that daily hell.