This film from WWII details the Fifth Army and its assault on Anzio in late January, 1944, with hopes of reaching Rome. The Battle of Anzio took place from January 22 (beginning with the Allied amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle) to June 5 (ending with the capture of Rome). The operation was opposed by German forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno. The operation was initially commanded by Major General John P. Lucas, of the U.S. Army, commanding U.S. VI Corps with the intention being to outflank German forces at the Winter Line and enable an attack on Rome.
At mark 0:46, the Fifth Army is seen advancing with tanks and other armor as well as jeeps and trucks. They took this place by under the command of General Mark Clark saying. “We are here to stay. Not one foot of ground will be given up.” At mark 1:32, soldiers are given a welcome by Italian civilians. At mark 1:59, material of every description including gasoline, guns, ammunition, medical supply, are shown moving to supply the advancing Fifth. A city once full of life and hope now smashed into waste by the Germans is seen at mark 2:35. People begging for clothes, water, food as seen at mark 2:55. The objective is to take Rome with the smallest loss of life. The philosophy of this Italian campaign is explained at mark 3:20.
At mark 3:47, the Fifth Army is moving up. Yankee-built bulldozers are seen at mark 4:00 clearing up the streets, blowing up towers so that supplies may come through. They clear the streets so that the tools may be transported and the weary men will make their way to luxury. At mark 4:20, the men are seen bathing with hot water and soap. At mark 4:40 heavy artillery is seen firing against the enemy.
The Fifth Army advance into Avellino is seen at mark 4:50. A deserted city, a lone child, at mark 5:10a woman is seen with a casket. Also the Americans have their own share of burden to bear as seen at mark 5:15. At mark 5:27 is a cemetery for the lost soldiers. At mark 5:40 is the city of Benevento, a nightmare city, bomb, shell, destructions, killings, a dead city, a city murdered by war.
At mark 6:30 is the Volturno River, and across the river is the road to Rome. Here, every bridge are blown and at mark 6:45, the Fifth Army is seen moving on as they built road for the transport of their supplies, gasoline, guns and other artilleries. At mark 6:50, gasoline, guns, ammunition, medical supply, material of every description are seen. At mark 7:05, the trucks are seen making their ways through mud and harsh terrain. At mark 7:30, bridges are seen breaking up as they are swept away by the force of the river. At mark 7:40, the engineers are seen building the bridges as they make their way across rivers and waters, across every barrier on their road to victory. Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark is seen at mark 7:55 making a statement to the friends at home. He says they will defeat the enemy and return back home but not without struggles and heavy sacrifices. At mark 8:30, the bombings and attacks are seen. At mark 9:00, the General Clark continues his speech.
The Battle of Anzio was an important battle of the Italian Campaign of World War II that took place on January 22, 1944, with the Allied amphibious landing known as Operation Shingle against the German forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno. The operation was commanded by Major General John P. Lucas, of the U.S. Army, commanding U.S. VI Corps, and was intended to outflank German forces at the Winter Line and enable an attack on Rome.
The Volturno Line (also known as the Viktor Line) was a German defensive position in Italy during the Italian Campaign of World War II. The line ran from Termoli in the east, along the Biferno River through the Apennine Mountains to the Volturno River in the west.
Following the Allied invasion of Italy in September 1943 the German forces set up a series of defensive lines across Italy, intended to delay the Allied advance. The Volturno Line was the southernmost of these.
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