Italy
After a brief, intense rocket bombardment of the beaches, the US 5th Army's VI Corps begins 3 simultaneous landings in the Anzio area at 0200, completely surprising the enemy, who offers just feeble resistance. Assault forces reach their preliminary objectives by noon and continue toward the initial beachhead line, some 7 miles inland. On the right, the 3rd Division lands on X-Ray beaches east of Nettuno and seizes all crossings on the Mussolini Canal. Hard fighting develops along the canal during the night as enemy reinforcements arrive, and the German regain most of the bridges. In the center, the 6614th Ranger Force (Provisional)--3 Ranger battalions plus the 83rd Chemical Battalion and the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion--lands near Anzio port. The port is seized intact as well as Nettuno. On the left the 2nd Brigade Group of the British 1st Division and the 2nd Special Service Brigade (9th and 43rd Commandos) land 6 miles northwest of Anzio on Peter Beach to block the main road from Anzio to Albano. Allied planes provide close support for the landings. Enemy aircraft make ineffective attacks.
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