Ottobre 1944. La Quinta Armata Americana in Appennino

Beyond the Gothic Line: The German Defense in the Apennines

In September 1944, dopo il ritiro dalla prima Linea Gotica, le forze tedesche iniziarono retrocedere utilizzando ogni altura come centro di fuoco per rallentare l’avanzata degli Alleati. Esattamente come avevano fatto a luglio in Toscana, ma in maniera forse ancora più efficace. Il progresso delle truppe di Mark Wyne Clark fu lentissimo e molto costoso in termini di vite umane. Dopo la presa di Giogo Pass e di Firenzuola iniziò una fase di continui combattimenti in ogni centro e su ogni rilievo posto lungo le direttrici verso nord. I soldati americani avanzarono sotto la pioggia e nel fango all’interno di un vero e proprio labirinto di fuoco, messi costantemente in pericolo dall’artiglieria e dalla fanteria tedesca. La proverbiale mobilità dei reparti di Kesselring rendeva impossibile prevedere le mosse del nemico. Dietro ogni curva, in ogni casa, su ogni promontorio potevano esserci nidi di mitragliatrici pronti a sparare. La Auftrangstaktik was ideal for conducting defensive warfare in the Apennines. As the Germans retreated, buying time, new defensive lines were established beyond the Futa Pass and the  Santerno Valley.

In October 1944, the Fifth US Army, commanded by General Clark, had to face the fierce resistance of the German divisions, well-positioned along the Apennine ridges, at a high cost in human lives. Here is a brief overview of the progression of the different units along the main routes toward the Po Valley.

The 85th Infantry Division Attacks Between the Idice and Sillaro Rivers

The October 5, 1944,, the 85th Infantry Division, part of the II Corps, launched an attack between the river valleys of Idice and Sillaro just east on the route toward Bologna. The division succeeded in capturing Monte Bibele, which overlooks the Idice Valley near the center od Bisano, but the advance quickly stalled near the Mount of Ants, a strategic point firmly defended by German forces. The Mount of Ants was heavily guarded by the 362nd Infantry Division, the 65th Infantry Division, and the 98th Infantry Division, all part of the 14th Army. Despite intensive artillery and air support, the Allied forces were unable to break through the German resistance, which effectively used the mountainous terrain to their advantage.

Another regiment of the 85th Division attempted to advance toward Monterenzio, but was halted by deep gorges and open terrain, which gave a clear advantage to the German defenders. Adverse weather conditions, which reduced the effectiveness of armored vehicles and air support, further slowed the advance. The 85th Division continued to make progress, but at a much slower pace than anticipated.

A breakthrough seemed to come on October 12 with the costly capture of Mount of Ants, marked by steep rock walls and a view overlooking the Idice Valley down to State Route 65. On October 10, 1944, the 2nd Battalion of the 338th Regiment of the 85th U.S. Division was ordered to capture the summit. The Germans defended the area with machine guns, mortars, and fortified positions guarding the mountain. Despite the challenging terrain and fierce opposition, the Americans managed to gain ground. The 1st Platoon launched an assault Maceratoio, seizing the village and capturing prisoners, while the rest of the battalion prepared for the assault on Cà del Monte. On October 11, the Germans launched a counterattack, but with artillery and tank support, the American forces held their positions. On October 12, the final assault led to the capture of the mountain summit, despite renewed enemy attempts to reclaim it.

The 91st Infantry Division Captures the Village of Loiano

The same October 5, 1944, the 91st Infantry Division, engaged in the assault along the Idice Valley, successfully manages to capture Loiano, a village located on the ridge separating the valleys of theIdice and of the Savena. This ridge, with its steep slopes, formed a natural defensive position that the Germans had fortified. However, after capturing Loiano, the Allies attempted to take the Monte Castellari, a circa 3 km a nord, ma l’assalto non ebbe successo inizialmente. I soldati della 91st Infantry Division, senza il supporto di una preparazione artiglieristica adeguata, fallirono nell’attacco. La resistenza tedesca, sostenuta dalla 65. Infanterie-Division e dalla 362. Infanterie-Division, bloccò l’avanzata alleata.

Only the October 9, after a more targeted assault, a small detachment from the 91st Division finally managed to capture the summit, a strategic point that allowed them to hinder the progress of the American forces. The battle for Monte Castellari was so fiercely contested that it resulted in approximately 1,400 Allied casualties. Capturing each hilltop came at an enormous cost.

The 88th Infantry Division Captures Poggio del Falchetto and Monte delle Tombe

InOctober 8, 1944, the 88th Infantry Division (USA), positioned along the Sillaro Valley, achieved a decisive victory by capturing the Poggio del Falchetto and the Monte delle Tombe north of the town of Sassoleone, key positions on the Sillaro ridge. These objectives were heavily defended by the 4th Fallschirmjäger Division and the 334th Infantry Division, who had entrenched the area. German resistance was fierce, but the 88th Division riuscì a forzare le linee nemiche, nonostante le difficoltà imposte dalle condizioni climatiche. La nebbia e la pioggia ostacolarono il supporto aereo, ma non impedirono la conquista dei due obiettivi strategici. Tuttavia, le forze alleate dovettero affrontare nuove difficoltà logistiche e di coordinamento, rallentando ulteriormente la loro avanzata.

La 34ª Infantry Division e l’assalto a Monterumici

The October 9, 1944, the 34th Infantry Division, soprannominata “Red Bull”, avanzò nella Setta Valley. After liberating Pian del Voglio, Montefredente and Madonna dei Fornelli, the next objective was Monte Galletto, which was captured on October 2; and then Monte Venere, captured the October 4. The units of the 34th Division then moved toward Monterumici, a fortified position defended by the 16th Waffen-SS Panzergrenadier Division and Reder's battalion, responsible for the Marzabotto massacre.

Despite heavy losses, the division advanced, forcing the Germans to retreat to stronger positions in the valleys of the Savena and of the Setta. German resistance, however, did not easily yield, and the battle continued to rage in the days that followed.

The 91st Infantry Division Captures the Town of Livergnano

After reaching Monte Castellari, the 91st Infantry Division it concentrated its efforts on the stronghold of Livergnano, situated between the valleys of the Savena andIdice. This village, crucial for controlling the Apennines, was defended by the 65th Infantry Division. After intense preparation with aerial and ground bombardments, and improved visibility that allowed Allied forces to better coordinate the assault, the October 14 the Germans withdrew stealthily from Livergnano, leaving the field to the American troops. The German retreat focused on moving toward the new defensive positions at Monte Adone and Monte Sole, where they established themselves and remained until the following spring.

The 34th Infantry Division and the Liberation of Scascoli and Anconella

The October 15, 1944, the 34th Infantry Division liberates the villages of Scascoli and Anconella, located in the Savena Valley, south of Livergnano.

Allied Losses

From October 10 to 15, the Allied losses in this sector amounted to 2.491 uomini, a significant figure that marked a critical point in the Allied campaign in the Apennines, which cost countless lives, convincing the Americans to halt their advance.

The Consolidation of the Front

After October 15, the front was consolidated. From east to west, the Germans held Monte Fortuna and Monte Taverna to the right of the Santerno Valley, Monte Spaduro, Monte Grande to the right of the Sillaro Valley, Monte Belmonte in the Zena Valley, and Monte Adone to the left of the Savena stream, utilizing the natural fortifications of the steep cliffs of the Pliocene gypsum ridge. With the German retreat to new fortified positions along the "Cesare" Line, as this latest defensive line was called, the Allies found themselves facing new logistical challenges and dealing with a shortage of reserves. Despite their retreat, the German forces continued to maintain a strong resistance.

The Winter Pause

The intensification of difficulties led to a temporary suspension of operations. The arrival of winter marked the end of large-scale offensives. The Gothic Line remained a solid line of resistance for the Wehrmacht in Italy, until the resumption of operations in the spring 1945.