Breakout From Anzio

The Battle of Anzio was a battle of the Italian Campaign of World War II that took place from January 22, 1944 (beginning with the Allied amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle) to June 5, 1944 (ending with the capture of Rome). The operation was opposed by German forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno.

The final plan called for US General Lucas to lead the US VI Corps in a landing in the Anzio area, followed by an advance into the Alban Hills, to cut German communications and "threaten the rear of the German XIV Panzer Corps". It was hoped that such an advance would draw German forces away from the Monte Cassino area and facilitate an Allied breakthrough. US General Mark Clark did not feel he had the numbers on the southern front to exploit any breakthrough. His plan therefore was relying on the southern offensive drawing German Field Marshal Kesselring's reserves in and providing the Anzio force the opportunity to break inland quickly. General Clark did not feel he had the numbers on the southern front to exploit any breakthrough. His plan therefore was relying on the southern offensive drawing Kesselring's reserves in and providing the Anzio force the opportunity to break inland quickly.

It is clear that General Lucas' superiors expected some kind of offensive action from him. The point of the landing was to turn the German defences on the Winter Line, taking advantage of their exposed rear and hopefully panicking them into retreating northwards past Rome. However, General Lucas instead, poured more men and material into his tiny beachhead, and strengthened his defences.

German Field Marshal Kesselring was informed of the landings. Although the landings came as a surprise, Kesselring had made contingency plans to deal with possible landings at all the likely locations. All the plans relied on his divisions each having previously organised a motorized rapid reaction unit (Kampfgruppe) which could move speedily to meet the threat and buy time for the rest of the defenses to get in place. All available reserves from the southern front were rushed toward Anzio and Nettuno; these included the 3rd Panzer Grenadier and 71st Infantry Divisions, and the bulk of the Luftwaffe's Hermann Göring Panzer Division.

Lack of any offensive action by General Lucas gave the Germans the opportunity to surround the Anzio Beachhead.

Allied Offenses to break out of the beachhead and German Counterattacks were fierce and bloody during the stalemate at the beachhead. Eventually, US General Lucas was replaced by General Truscott.

On May 21, 1944, a full breakout offensive was started by the Allies. It was a slugfest with slow and steady progress by the Allied forces. By eventually cutting Route 6, the Allies were able to establish a blocking force and on June 2 the Caesar Line collapsed under the mounting Allied pressure, and German 14th Army commenced a fighting withdrawal through Rome.

This event is meant to serve as a section of the Allied breakout offensive against determined Axis defenders in the Italian countryside outside of the Anzio Beachhead.

Order of Battle

ALLIES

3RD US Infantry Division

45th US Infantry Division

34th US Infantry Division

36th USInfantry Division

1st SSF

509th PIB

504th PIR

1st, 2nd & 3rd Ranger Battalions

1st US Armored Division

British 1st Infantry Division

56th Infantry Division

5th Infantry Division

No.9 Commando

No.43 Royal Marine Commando

AXIS

4th Fallschirmjager Division

3rd Panzergrenadier Division

71st Infantry Division

Hermann Goring Panzer Division

362nd Infantry Division

16th SS Grenadier Division Reinhard Heidrich (Kampfgruppe)

2nd Italian SS "Vendetta" Battalion

29th Italian SS Rifle Battalion

“Decima Mas” Barbarigo Battalion (Italian Marine Infantry)

Nembo Italian Parachute Battalion

Event Information:

Participating reenactors to the “Breakout from Anzio” event should try to gear their impression to one of the listed units. If that is not possible, then a generic impression would be appreciated.

This Italian Front Event is designed to provide an opportunity for continuous action and maneuvering of the forces of the Allied Breakout. Axis soldiers while on the defensive, is encouraged to prepare some defensive positions as well as counterattack when opportunistic.

Directions:

The site is in Gettysburg, Penn. Just off of Route 15 at the Baltimore Rd. exit. When you get off the exit, go west toward Gettysburg. There is a gas station at the corner of Rt 15 and the exit. Directly across from the gas station is an old burned out building and a road called “Civil War Lane”. Drive down “Civil War Lane” which is a gravel road and you will come to the registration area where you will need to check in and will be directed where to park. See you there!

Class III paperwork should be:

1897 Baltimore Pike

Gettysburg, PA 17325

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