Patrolling The Gothic Line MTO (id:#66434)

(March Madness 2023 10th Mountain Division Pack ID: MM82)   [next]   [previous]

San Marcello, Italy 1945-01-13 (15 others)

Overview:

The 19th Mountain Division's 86th Mountain Infantry Regiment arrived in Naples, Italy on 22 December 1944. As the rest of the division closed into theater over the following month, the 86th Mountain Infantry undertook local training and was placed on line starting 8 January 1945. Its troops assumed positions north of Bagni di Lucca, relieving units of Task Force 45 in the deep snow that covered the area. German troops occupied the mountainous terrain as part of their strong defenses within the northern Apennines Mountains- the "Gothic Line." The Gothic Line ran from Pesaro on Italy's east coast to just south of La Spazia on Italy's west coast and represented Germany's last major defense south of the Alps. The Geran units occupying Gothic Line positions in the 86th Mountain's Infantry area were those of LI Mountain Corps, and during December and January 1945 transitioned from the 4th Parachute Division to the 232nd Infantry Division. Most of the 10th Mountain Division's snow gear had not made it to Italy, so its troops obtained what equipment they could to conduct reconnaissance patrols.

Defender: German (232 Infanterie-Division, LI. Gebirgskorps, 14. Armee Heersgruppe C)  

Errata (source)