The Winter Campaign in Italy 1943: Orsogna, San Pietro and Ortona

The US Fifth Army and British Eighth Army advanced up the Italian Peninsula in 1943, facing three crucial battles near the Gustav Line. The Allied armies reached the Volturno Line, forcing a German decision to conduct a prolonged defense in southern Italy. The US 5th Army attacked through the Mignano gap, while the British Eighth Army seized Ortona and Orsogna. The battles were grueling, with the German defenders attempting to hold their positions. This work highlights several little-known battles fought in Italy following the German withdrawal from the Salerno bridgehead and Taranto, using period photos and battlescene artworks to bring the forces and battles to life.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

As Allied forces drew near the Gustav Line in Italy at the end of 1943, a compelling narrative unfolds involving three pivotal battles. Following their successful repulsion of the German counter-attack at Salerno in September 1943, the US Fifth Army and British Eighth Army surged forward along the Italian Peninsula. By October, the Allied armies had reached the Volturno Line, precipitating a critical juncture in German strategy. A prolonged defense was deemed necessary in southern Italy, utilizing the intricate terrain features to challenge the Allied advance. By mid-November, the two Allied armies were closing in on the German defensive lines along the Garigliano and Sangro rivers. Here, the US 5th Army planned to launch an attack through the Mignano gap, aiming to reach San Pietro Infine. Simultaneously, the British Eighth Army was tasked with seizing Ortona on the Adriatic coast and Orsogna. A fierce and grueling battle ensued, with the German defenders valiantly attempting to hold their ground. Notably, the fighting at Ortona, often referred to as a "mini Stalingrad," proved particularly challenging for the Canadian forces involved.

This captivating work delves into several lesser-known battles that took place in Italy following the German withdrawal from the Salerno bridgehead and Taranto. Comprehensive maps and diagrams provide a clear and concise overview of the intricate campaign's multiple operations. Vivid period photos and exquisite battle scene artworks bring the forces of the opposing sides, including American, German, Canadian, New Zealand, and British troops, to life. These battles, fought in late 1943, played a pivotal role in shaping the course of the war in Europe.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 184 x 248 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472855695