May 1944

Italy

The AAI open a general offensive.

In the US 5th Army's VI Corps area, Operation BUFFALO--the attack to break out of the Anzio beachhead--begins at 0630 after an artillery and air preparation. While the 45th Division on the extreme left conducts a holding action, the main body of the VI Corps attacks the enemy's Cisterna defense line. On the left, the 1st Armored Division, employing CCA on the left and CCB on the right, gets forward elements beyond the railroad. In the center, the 3rd Division, with elements of 3 regiments in the assault, meets the stongest opposition but gets about half way to Cisterna. The 1st SSF, followed by elements of the 133rd Infantry, 34th Division, attacks on the right along the Mussolini Canal to the railroad but falls back to Highway 7 under counterattack. Almost 1,500 prisoners are taken during the day.

On the left flank in the II Corps area, the 85th Division's 337th Infantry pushes slowly down Monte San Croce to the outskirts of Terracina. The 338th presses steadily toward Monte Leano while the 338th seizes Sonnino. In the 88th Division sector, the 350th Infantry reaches Roccasecca.

The FEC, attacking to prevent the enemy's withdrawal from the Liri Valley, makes slow progress since the enemy is intent on holding until the withdrawal of the Hitler Line can be completed. The Mountain Corps relieves the 88th Division of the II Corps on Monte Chiavino and seizes Monte Pizzuto. The Moroccan 2nd Division attacks from the Sant' Oliva area toward Pastena and the Algerian 3rd Division from Pico toward Ceprano against a determined resistance. The 1st Motorized Division guards the right flank along the Liri River.

The British 8th Army opens a general assault against the Hitler Line. The Canadian I Corps, employing the Canadian 1st Division, pushes toward the Aquino-Pontecorvo road, penetrating the enemy's defense line. The Canadian 5th Armored Division is ordered to attack through the gap.