May 1944

Italy

In the US 5th Army's II Corps area, the 337th Infantry of the 85th Division overruns Castellonorato. To the left, the 3rd Battalon of the 338th reaches the junction of Highway 7 and the Ausonia road. The 88th Divisino, moving on Spigno, finds the town undefended and in ruins. The division is ordered to push on to Itri at once.

On the left flank, in the FEC sector, one group of the Mountain Corps pushes steadily west along difficult mountain trails toward Monte Revole. Another group continues northward, scaling the Fammera escarpment. The Moroccan 6th Infantry is relieved on its containing role at Ausonia and joins the main body. The Germans are driven from Ausonia by noon but they retain La Bastia Hill to the north in an effore to keep control of the Esperia road. The Algerian 3rd Division relieves the holding force at Ausonia. Armored elements push on to Castelnuovo, which the Moroccan 2nd Division has cleared earlier in the day, thereby gaining control of the Ausonia Defile. German fire prevents the forward movement of the 1st Motorized Division from San Giorgio on the right flank of the FEC.

In the British 8th Army area, the XIII Corps continues working through the Gustav Line, with the 78th Division moving forward between the 4th Division and the Indian 8th Division, in preparation for a concerted assault with the Poles on Cassino. The Canadian I Corps begins passing through XIII Corps and relieving the Indian 8th Division.