![]() ![]() The Anzio operation was planned as a way of supporting the Monte Cassino offensive, but in fact the success of the landings largely depended on success at Monte Cassino. Lucas's forces held the beachhead until 23 May, when the staged withdrawal of the German 14th Army permitted the Allies' long-awaited breakout. When the attack failed, the Germans changed their strategy, launching small attacks on the Allies rather than making another concerted effort to take the beachhead. Mackensen made his last attempt to drive the Allies into the sea on 29 February. By the end of January, Mackensen had four divisions in the area, including a tank regiment and over 200 artillery pieces.įebruary saw a series of attacks by German forces greatly outnumbering the Allied defenders all were repulsed after hard-fought battles with considerable loss of life. ![]() The German Army responded to the landing in force, fearing that it could be the beginning of the Allied invasion of Western Europe. ![]() No major attacks were launched until 30 January, when the Allied line was advanced about four miles. Thereafter, Lucas concentrated on establishing and reinforcing his defensive positions. Landing unopposed on 22 January 1944, US and British forces rapidly advanced inland to establish a beachhead some seven miles deep. The Anzio landings were marked by the caution displayed by the Allied commanding officer, General John Lucas. 'On discovering that there were no Germans in his path, behaved as though there were.' - Peter Calvocoressi, Total WarĪfter the Salerno landings of September 1943, the Allies decided to execute a second landing on Italy's west coast in an attempt to hasten the capture of Rome. Outcome: The Allies captured a small beachhead around Anzio, but despite fierce fighting they did not progress further until the Germans withdrew. Allies: General John Lucas's 6th Corps of the US 5th Army, including the British 1st, 56th, 5th Divisions.Īxis: General Eberhard von Mackensen's German 14th Army. ![]()
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