June 1944

Italy

US 5th Army columns, some motorized, converge on Rome against rear-guard opposition and are enthusiastically welcomed by the populace. Elements of the 88th Reconnaissance Troop of the II Corps are the first to enter but cannot deepen their penetration. Gen Clark designates the garrison of the Eternal City: the 3rd Division, less one regiment that will remain in the city as 5th Army reserve; the British 1st Battalion, the Duke of Wellington's Regiment; and 1 composite battalion of the FEC. The 3rd Division is to command the garrison forces.

In the VI Corps area, the 1st Armored Division takes Albano and drives up Highway 7 into Rome while the 36th Division, to the east, advances into the eastern suburbs. The 45th and 34th Division task forces secure crossing sites below Rome.

In the II Corps area, 1st SSF and 88th Division columns, making the main effort, the 1st SSF along Highway 6 and the 88th Division along Via Prenestina, are delayed west of Centocelle for about 9 hours but push on through to the city. The 1st SSF fans out within Rome to take the Tiber bridges north of Ponte Margherita. The 88th Division's TFs, based on the 1st Battalions of the 351st and 350th Regiments, drive through the city and seize Ponte Milvio and Ponte del Duca d'Aosta. On the left flank of the II Corps, one 85th Division force drives through Frascati and along the Via Tuscolana to Rome, taking Ponte Cavour there while another of its units cuts Highway 7. The FEC completes the relief to the 3rd Division on the right flank of the II Corps. Forward elements of the Algerian 3rd Division reach the Aniene River at Lunghezza. The 1st Motorized Division is committed to the right.

The British 8th Army regroups in order to place 2 fresh armored divisions, the British 6th and the South African 6th, in the van of the pursuit that XIII Corps is to lead. XIII Corps takes command of the South African 6th Armored Division from the Canadian I Corps. The Canadian I Corps is withdrawn into reserve.