June 1944

Italy

The 1st Motorized Division is the first of the French units to leave Italy for Operation ANVIL.

In the US 5th Army area, the IV Corps continues northward against strong rear-guard opposition. The 117th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron on the coast overrns Follonica. In the FEC area, the Guillaume Group, reinforced with light armor, crosses the Ombrone River in order to continue to advance in contact with the 1st Armored Division of the IV Corps.

In the British 8th Army area, the XIII Corps opens a concerted drive northward with 3 divisions. The 78th Division, on the XIII Corps right flank, establishes a bridgehead across the Pescia River with infantry, but the armor is unable to follow. In the center, the 4th Division battles in vain for Vaiano throughout the day. The Germans abandon the hamlet during the night of the 24th. The South African 6th Armored Division continues to meet stubborn opposition on the left flank of the XIII Corps at Chiusi. In the X Corps area, the Germans have shortened their line, which now runs through Magione, in order to shift some armor to the west to oppose the XIII Corps. The mountainous terrain makes the British progress up the Tiber Valley very slow.