✅ This post was reviewed and corrected as part of the 2025 Historical Accuracy Update.Reviewed by Doc Snafu on November 17, 2025.
Document Source: Operations of the 2nd Battalion, 338th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, in taking Monte Della Formiche, Italy, October 10/13, 1944, North Apennine Campaign, Personal Experience of Captain Orville E. Bloch, Rifle Platoon Leader. (The Infantry School, General Section, Military History Committee, Fort Benning Georgia).
Avant Propos
The history of the 85th Infantry Division, from its activation in World War II to its approach toward Monte Della Formiche in October 1944, reflects the measured, methodical development of a US...
Document Source: Infantry School, General Section, Military History Committee, Fort Benning, Georgia, Advanced Officers Course (1946-1947). Operations of the 2nd Battalion, 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in the Breakthrough and Pursuit to the Po River, April 15-24, 1945. Personal Experience of a Company Commander, Capt Paul R. Behnke, Infantry
INTRODUCTION
This archive covers the operation of the 2nd Battalion, 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in the attack of the German line at Furcoli-Monterumici, Italy, April 15-24, 1945, the breakthrough and the pursuit of the enemy to the Po River which was reached on April 24, 1945. To orient the...
Document Source: Operations of the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, in the Capture of Altavilla, Italy, September 13 to September 19, 1943, during the Naples-Foggia Campaign. Maj John S. Lekson, Battalion Operation Officer.
INTRODUCTION
This archive covers the operations of the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, in the battle for Altavilla, Italy, September 16 - September 19, 1943, during the expansion of the Salerno Beachhead. In order to establish the necessary background, related material of earlier date is included.
Allied Staff planning for the invasion of Italy, begun well in advance of the Sicily...
Source: US Department of Defense. US Department of the Army. Office of the Chief Signal Officer
Motion Picture Films from the Campaign Reports Program Series, 1944-1945 (US Army & John Huston)
Prélude: San Pietro Infine, A Historical Overview
San Pietro Infine is a small municipality in the province of Caserta, within Italy's Campania Region. Situated approximately 70 kilometers northwest of Naples and about 50 kilometers northwest of Caserta, it occupies a strategic position near the borders of Lazio and Molise. The area surrounding San Pietro Infine has been inhabited since ancient times. Between the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE, it was contested...
(Document Source: Report of Operations of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, Office of the Battalion Commander, S-3 Journal, Period, November 10, 1943, December 13, 1943. Italy. HQs 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, Office of the Battalion Commander, S-3 Journal/.
November 9 1943
We departed from Naples at 1430 by truck convoy. We proceeded via Casserta, Calazzo, Avignans, Dragoni, to Macchia, attached to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the unit arrived at Macchia on November 10 at 0100. We were sent into positions around the town of Macchia.
November 10 1943
After a recon by the Commanding Officer of the 504-PIR and the...
Document Source: Infantry School, General Section, Military History Committee, Fort Benning, Georgia, Advanced Officers Course (1946-1947). Operations of How Company, 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in MonteRumici, Vicinity of Bologna, Italy, Po Valey Campaign, April 15-18, 1945. Personal Experience of a Company Commander, Capt Earl E. Danley, Infantry
This report covers the operations of How Co, 350-IR (88-ID under the Command of Gen Paul W. Kendall, in the capture of Monterumici and the breakthrough of the German Lines at the start of the Po Valley offensive in April 1945. To bring the reader up to date a...
Document Source: Infantry School, General Section, Military History Committee, Fort Benning, Georgia, Advanced Officers Course (1946-1947). Defensive Operation of the 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division along the Moletta River Line, Northwest of Anzio, Italy, February 7 to February 8, 1944. Personal Experience of a Heavy Weapons Company Commander, Capt James D. Shi Jr.
In order that a complete orientation is given to the reader, certain facts and events that influenced the action must be depicted. The reasons for the Anzio landings should be clarified so as to leave no doubt as to the necessity for taking this...
Document Source: Historical Record, Operations of the US 2nd Armored Division, Kool Force, Operation Husky, Sicily, World War Two
Concentration for Husky
Concentration, April 22 to July 22, 1943. Pursuant to orders CG, IAC, the 2-AD moved from Rabat, French Morocco to the vicinity of FAITC (Fifth Army Invasion Training Center) located in Oran, Algeria (Port aux Poules), by rail and motor beginning April 22 and closing May 22. An average train density of 2 500-ton trains daily was allotted to the division for the move. Track vehicles, except lightly loaded H/T, moved by rail from Port Lyautey, and all other...
Document Source: Operation of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team, in Sicily during the period July 9, 1943, to August 19, 1943. Personal Experience of the Regimental Headquarters Company Commander, Capt Adam A. Komosa.
This archive covers the operations of the 504-PRCT, in which it participated in the first large scale night airborne operation in military history. After the jump, the paratroopers were scattered over an area of sixty miles in the southern portion of the Sicilian Island. After their reorganization, they moved out to their assigned sectors along the south and west coast of the island. In order...
✅ This post was reviewed and corrected as part of the 2025 Historical Accuracy Update.Reviewed by Doc Snafu on April 2, 2026.
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Document Source: EUCMH own research
Gen Lucian K. Truscott, US Army, in liaison with the British General Staff, submitted proposals to Gen George C. Marshall that we undertake immediately an American unit along the lines of the British Commandos in 1942. A subsequent cable from the US War Department authorized the activation of the 1-RB (1st Ranger Battalion). After much deliberation, Able Co, 1-RB Battalion was constituted on May 27, 1942....