Anzio: Operation Shingle

The landings at Anzio and Nettuno were code-named “Operation Shingle” and the goal was to push north to liberate Rome. The German commander Field Marshall Kesselring had successfully held the Monte Cassino and the Gustav Line. The landings took place on 22nd January 1944, two days before an assault on Monte Cassino. Placing 50,000 allied soldiers to the north of the Gustav Line would relieve pressure on Monte Cassino.

One of the problems facing the allies was that American commanders were reluctant to release enough landing ships which were also needed for the Normandy Landings planned for June 1944.

Landings

The Anzio landings started at 2am on 22 January 1944 with simultaneous assaults. The Allies had expected resistance as they landed on Italian soil but apart from a few strafing runs from the Luftwaffe, they were unopposed. By midnight on 22 January 1944, 36,000 troops and 3,200 vehicles had landed. Just 13 men were lost and over 200 German POWs were taken. The port at Anzio was captured as was Nettuno which was 3 miles inland.

Aftermath

Allied Commanders had expected that after the landings, there would be some kind of offensive action. However, Major General Lucas instead of pushing on and turning the German defences, reinforced his own defences to maintain his tiny bridgehead. Churchill was less than impressed and quoted “I had hoped we were hurling a wildcat into the shore but all we got was a stranded whale”. On 22nd February, Lucas was replaced Lucan Truscott. However, there would be no breakout from Anzio until 23rd May 1944.

Tours for 2010

Escorted tours covering the Italian Campaign, including Anzio will run throughout 2010. For more information, prices and availability, call 0208 816 8789 or send an enquiry via the “Contact Us” page.