July 1944

Italy

Allied air attacks on the Po bridges between Piacenza and the Adriatic (MALLORY MAJOR) are successfully concluded, but tactical bombers subsequently continue an interdiction program on an expanded scale, hitting bridges west of Piacenza and throughout the Po River Valley.

In the US 5th Army's IV Corps area, the 135th Infantry of the 34th Division continues rapidly toward Leghorn until hit in the eventing by a counterattack on the left flank near the heights overlooking the town. The enemy is driven off with the aid of artillery. The 442nd Infantry advances to the left rear of the 168th as the latter begins an attack in the right half of the 442nd's zone. The 168th and 133rd Regiments push toward Pisa with the 100th Battalion filling the gap between them. Bypassing Lorenzana, the 133rd gets nearly 2 miles beyond the town. In the center of the IV Corps, the 91st Division's 363rd Infantry takes Bagni di Casciana without opposition, then withdraws in preparation for assisting in the attack of the 34th Division on Leghorn. The 361st Infantry replaces the 362nd on the division's right and takes Morrona, northwest of Terricciola. The 88th Division continues northward on the right flank of the corps.

In the FEC area, the Moroccan 8th Infantry takes Castellina in Chianti while the Moroccan 4th mops up east of Poggibonsi. By nightfall the FEC is up against an enemy delaying line in the Certaldo-Tevernelle area.

In the British 8th Army area, the XIII Corps opens the attack on Arezzo at 0100 after strong artillery preparation, employing the 6th Armored Division on the left and the New Zealand 2nd on the right. Air support begins at dawn. The 6th Armored Division drives a salient into the center of the enemy line, and the New Zealand 2nd Division takes Monte Lignano. After nightfall, the Germans begin a general withdrawal.