Allied invasion of Italy
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called Italy the soft underbelly of the axis in November 1942. He argued that invading would remove Italy from the Axis alliance and weaken German influence across the Mediterranean Sea. This move promised to reduce shipping capacity needed for Middle East and Far East theaters during a crisis of Allied disposal. It also aimed to tie down German forces while Joseph Stalin pressured leaders to open a second front against the Soviet Red Army. American General George C. Marshall opposed operations delaying the main invasion of Europe planned as early as 1942. That cross-channel operation eventually materialized as Operation Overlord in 1944. Discussions continued since the Trident Conference held in Washington D.C. in May until late July when Benito Mussolini fell. The Joint Chiefs instructed Dwight D. Eisenhower to proceed with an Italian invasion after Sicily succeeded. Contemporary Axis propaganda claimed their escape from North Africa was a success despite heavy losses. Envoys from the new Italian government approached Allies to make peace shortly after Mussoni's removal. A quick invasion might hasten surrender but fighting continued even after Berlin fell in April 1945. The Allies faced supplying conquered territory instead of Germany bearing that burden. Albert Kesselring struggled with additional problems created by hostile occupation of Italy.
Operation Baytown launched on the 3rd of September 1943 when British Eighth Army crossed the Straits of Messina. Major-general Gerard Bucknall led the 5th Infantry Division landing north of Calabria's toe while Guy Simonds commanded the 1st Canadian Infantry Division at Cape Spartivento. Montgomery predicted this would waste effort assuming Germans fought in Calabria. He proved correct as the Eighth Army moved 480 km north against no opposition except engineering obstacles. Main landings began the 9th of September under Operation Avalanche targeting Salerno on the western coast. Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark commanded U.S. Fifth Army comprising VI Corps and X Corps. Vice Admiral Henry K. Hewitt directed naval task force totaling 627 vessels including cruisers and destroyers. Force H provided cover with four battleships and two fleet carriers under Andrew Cunningham. Operation Slapstick carried British 1st Airborne Division to Taranto using warships. George Hopkinson ordered embarkation on the 8th of September despite short notice creating chaos nicknamed Bedlam. Plans for airborne forces took several forms before cancellation. Initial glider-borne troops above Salerno abandoned the 12th of August replaced by Operation Giant. Two regiments of Matthew Ridgway's 82nd Airborne Division seized Volturno River crossings initially expanded then reduced. Maxwell D. Taylor assessed Italian willingness to cooperate advising cancellation late afternoon the 8th of September after pathfinders departed. The main invasion used less than half troops landed during Sicily campaign considering resistance from six German divisions. Clark offered no troops covering Sele River leaving Germans easy route to attack until belatedly landing battalions protecting it.
Erwin Rommel activated Army Group B mid-August responsible for German troops south to Pisa. Albert Kesselring maintained command over southern Italy while forming new headquarters as Army Command South. Heinrich von Vietinghoff commanded newly activated 10th Army headquarters the 22nd of August. Six divisions covered possible landing sites under Hermann Balck's XIV Panzer Corps including Hermann Göring Airborne Panzer Division and 15th Panzergrenadier Division. Rudolf Sieckenius led 16th Panzer Division positioned hills above Salerno plain. Traugott Herr directed LXXVI Panzer Corps containing 26th Panzer Division and 29th Panzergrenadier Division. Fritz-Hubert Graser commanded 1st Parachute Division deployed toward Taranto. Kesselring refused two panzer divisions from northern Italy assisting him against Allied landings. BattleGroup von Usedom comprised single battalion with artillery and engineers rearguard in toe of Italy. Krüger Battle Group stood at Nicotera roughly up coast from Bagnara Calabra. Most units concentrated Castrovillari area rear positions withdrawing after holding until the 6th of September. Hermann Balck ordered Hermann Göring Division south to battle later ordering 15th Panzergrenadier likewise. Both sides gained initiative initially during early fighting phases. German forces prepared rapid response any Allied landing by the 8th of September when Kesselring concentrated Vietinghoff's army ready action.
Major General Fred L. Walker's U.S. 36th Infantry Division approached Paestum shore 03:30 loudspeaker proclamation Come on in and give up We have you covered. German observers on Monte Soprano directed fire onto landing craft causing LST 336 taking 18 hits. Some LCTs and DUKWs sheered away avoiding shellfire. The division had not been in combat before Italian surrender creating belief landings routine. The 141st Infantry lost cohesion failing gain depth making supporting arms impossible leaving without artillery. Minesweepers cleared channel shortly after 09:00 allowing destroyers steam within shoreline shelling German positions. USS Philadelphia and Savannah focused guns concentrations tanks beginning barrage totaling eleven-thousand tons before beachhead secured. By end first day Fifth Army made promising start though objectives unmet. British X Corps pushed inland while special forces advanced north across Sorrento Peninsula looking down Plain of Naples. Hermann Balck saw 16th Panzer Division perform intended ordering both Göring Division south later 15th Panzergrenadier likewise. Meanwhile 29th Panzergrenadier Division from LXXVI Panzer Corps directed to Salerno. Neither side gained initiative during early fighting phases. Clark visited battlefield judging unlikely X Corps push quickly east past Battipaglia linking VI Corps. He decided move VI Corps left hand boundary north Sele river moving Troy Middleton's U.S. 45th Division gap. Enemy reinforcements filtered battlefield units short transport formed ad hoc battle groups immediate action. By the 13th of September all immediately available reinforcements arrived including elements 3rd Panzergrenadier Division released Kesselring near Rome.
Allies fought expand beachhead three days Germans defended stubbornly mask build-up reinforcements counter-offensive. By the 12th of September clear Fifth Army acute shortage infantry ground General Harold Alexander reported Alan Brooke Chief Imperial General Staff London situation Avalanche unsatisfactory build-up slow pinned bridgehead enough depth. Everything done push follow-up units material them expecting heavy German counterattack imminent. X Corps taken defensive posture battalion committed reserves available form attack. South 36th Division made progress midday counterattack elements 29th Panzergrenadier Division overrun 1st Battalion 142nd Infantry Regiment. Germans launched counteroffensive the 13th of September Hermann Göring battle groups attacked northern flank main boundary Battipaglia Tyrrhenian sea greatest weight VI Corps side. Elements Walker's 36th Division captured Altavilla high ground behind Paestum counterattack forced withdrawal darkness fell. Two German battlegroups Kleine Limburg Krüger attacked Persano overrun 1st Battalion 157th Infantry crossing Sele engage 2nd Battalion 143rd Infantry virtually wipe out. Battle groups continued strike south southwest confluence Sele Calore stopped artillery firing open sights naval gunfire makeshift position manned artillerymen drivers cooks clerks anyone else Major General Walker could scrape together. Clark staff formulated evacuation plans Operation Brass Rail envisioning headquarters afloat aboard ship. Navy protested reversing landing process impossible loading beached craft heavier unable withdraw beach. Advice superiors subordinates convinced Clark continue fighting later denying seriously considering evacuation.
Salerno mutiny instigated about 500 men British X Corps suffering over 6,000 casualties refused assignment new units the 16th of September. They understood returning original units separated during North African campaign fighting. Lieutenant-General Richard McCreery persuaded half men follow orders remainder court-martialled. Three NCOs leading mutiny sentenced death sentence not carried eventually allowed rejoin units. Fifth Army began attack northwest towards Naples the 19th of September Salerno beachhead secure. Ernest J. Dawley U.S. VI Corps commander relieved command Clark replaced John P. Lucas. 82nd Airborne Division serious casualties near Altavilla merged British X Corps joining Rangers 23rd Armoured Brigade Sorrento Peninsula flanking German defenses Nocera Inferiore Sant'Antonio Abate Angri. British 7th Armoured Division passing through 46th Division assigned task taking Naples while newly landed U.S. 3rd Infantry Division took Acerno the 22nd of September Avellino the 28th of September. Eighth Army made good progress toe despite German demolitions linked 1st Airborne Division Taranto. Left linked Fifth Army right the 16th of September concentrating forces east Apennine Mountains pushing north Adriatic coast Bari. the 27th of September captured large airfield complex Foggia major Allied objective. British X Corps pushed mountain passes Monti Lattari capturing vital bridge Sarno River Scafati surrounding Mount Vesuvius preparing advance Naples. Fascist troops occupying city provoked rebellion population starting the 27th of September swift advance British X Corps Naples rebellion Germans forced evacuate.
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Common questions
Why did Winston Churchill call Italy the soft underbelly of the axis in November 1942?
Winston Churchill called Italy the soft underbelly of the axis to argue that invading would remove Italy from the Axis alliance and weaken German influence across the Mediterranean Sea. This strategy promised to reduce shipping capacity needed for Middle East and Far East theaters during a crisis of Allied disposal while tying down German forces.
When did Operation Baytown launch and which units participated in the crossing of the Straits of Messina?
Operation Baytown launched on the 3rd of September 1943 when British Eighth Army crossed the Straits of Messina. Major-general Gerard Bucknall led the 5th Infantry Division landing north of Calabria's toe while Guy Simonds commanded the 1st Canadian Infantry Division at Cape Spartivento.
What were the main objectives of Operation Avalanche targeting Salerno on the western coast?
Main landings began the 9th of September under Operation Avalanche targeting Salerno on the western coast with Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark commanding U.S. Fifth Army comprising VI Corps and X Corps. Vice Admiral Henry K. Hewitt directed naval task force totaling 627 vessels including cruisers and destroyers to support the invasion.
How many Luftwaffe flying sorties occurred during the critical air situation off Salerno between the 9th and 10th of September 1943?
German bombers targeted Admiral Hewitt flagship serving General Clark headquarters calling thirty red alerts period 36 hours response 450 Luftwaffe flying sorties. Eighty-five Allied vessels hit German bombs off Salerno while Fritz X glide bombs dropped Dornier Do 217s disabled USS Savannah narrowly missing Philadelphia morning the 11th of September.
When did the Allies capture Naples following the rebellion provoked by Fascist troops occupying the city?
Fascist troops occupying Naples provoked a rebellion starting the 27th of September which led to a swift advance by British X Corps forcing Germans to evacuate. The main invasion used less than half troops landed during Sicily campaign considering resistance from six German divisions before securing the area.