Spearhead of the Fifth Army: The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Italy, from the Winter Line to Anzio,Used

This work is the third book by Frank Van Lunteren on the 504th P.I.R. in World War II, focusing on their role in the Italian theater.Upon the completion of the Sicily and Salerno Campaigns in 1943, the paratroopers of Colonel Reuben Tuckers 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment were among the first Allied troops to enter Naples. A ghost town at first sight, the residents soon expressed their joy at being liberated. Four weeks later the 504thupon the special request of General Mark Clarkspearheaded Fifth Armys drive through the notorious Volturno Valleythe Germans next stand.January 1944 seemed to promise a period of rest, but the landing at Anzio meant deployment for the paratroopers again, this time by ship. A bombing raid during their beach landing was a forecast of eight weeks of bitter fighting. Holding the right flank of the beachhead along the Mussolini Canal, the paratroopers earned their nickname Devils in Baggy Pants for their frontline incursions into enemy lines, as well as their stubborn defense of the Allied salient.In this work H Companys attachment to the British 5th Grenadier Guards are painted in comprehensive light for the first time. Using war diaries, personal journals, letters and interviews with nearly 80 veterans, a closein view of the 504th P.I.R. in the Fifth Armys Italy Campaign is here provided in unsurpassed detail.This work is the third by Van Lunteren on the 504th P.I.R. In World War II following The Battle of the Bridges and Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper. As readers will see, however, the Italian theater held second place to none in terms of grueling combat and courage against formidable odds, and an extremely expert enemy.Table of ContentsList of MapsForeword by Capt. (Ret). Roy M. Hanna, 3rd Battalion, 504th PIRIntroduction by Col. Colin P. Tuley, 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne DivisionAcknowledgments1 Entering a Ghost Town:Naples, September 28October 25, 19432 Across the Matese Mountains:Valle Agricola, Letino, and Gallo, October 26November 3, 19433 Conquering the Volturno Valley:Macchia, Fornelli, Isernia, November 48, 19434 Breaching the Barbara Line:Colli, Hill 1017, and Rocchetta, November 930, 19435 Battle for the Bernhard Line:Hills 610, 687, 877, 950, and 954, December 131, 19436 Reaching the Breaking Point:Hills 710 and 1205, December 931, 19437 Planning Operation Shingle:Naples, January 121, 19448 Landing on Red Beach:Anzio Beachhead, January 22, 19449 Battle at Bridge No. 2:Anzio Beachhead, January 2324, 194410 Disaster at Borgo Piave:Anzio Beachhead, January 2527, 194411 Last Attempt to Break Out:Anzio Beachhead, January 2831, 194412 The Factory:Anzio Beachhead, February 16, 194413 The Grenadier Guards Gully:Anzio Beachhead, February 78, 194414 Battle for Carroceto:Anzio Beachhead, February 810, 194415 The Mussolini Canal:Anzio Beachhead, February 115, 194416 Operation Fischfang and Deadly Patrols:Anzio Beachhead, February 1629, 194417 Journey to the Line:Anzio Beachhead, March 19, 194418 Battle Experience:Anzio Beachhead, March 1021, 194419 Relief at Anzio:Anzio Beachhead and Naples, March 22April 9, 194420 Postscript: Postwar CareersAppendix A: Distinguished Service Cross RecipientsAppendix B: List of Battlefi eld CommissionsAppendix C: Order of Battle for the Apennine Mountains Campaign, October 25, 1943Appendix D: Order of Battle for Operation Shingle, January 22, 1944Appendix E: Order of Battle for Operation Shingle, March 22, 1944Appendix F: Order of Battle for the 24th Guards Brigade, February 78, 1944Appendix G: Field Orders of the 3rd Infantry Division to Col. Tucker, January 1944Acronyms and AbbreviationsNotesContributing VeteransSelected BibliographyIndex