Forming the Thumb MTO (id:#59057)

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South of Campoleone , Italy 1944-01-30 (16 others)

Overview:

Due to the continued build up of German troops around the bridgehead, General Lucas was urged to speed up his advance from Anzio. While Darby’s Rangers were being slaughtered at Cisterna (ASL Scenario ‘G5 Six Came Back’), General Penney’s Scots and Irish Guards were ordered to seize Campoleone. Under heavy fire the Irish Guards were forced to withdraw. As daylight broke on 30 January a company of Irish Guards supported by troops from the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 46 Royal Tank Regiment, and the US 894th Tank Destroyer Battalion jumped off in an attempt to re-secure the start line. The American tank destroyers led the advance, sending shells into every farmhouse en route. British infantry quickly mopped up each building and by early afternoon the start line was retaken. An aggressive General Penney ordered the attack on Campoleone to continue, and shortly after 3PM a battalion of KSLI reached a low ridge just short of Campoleone and dug in for the night. However, on either side of the advance things had not gone so well, and Penney realized elements of his command stuck out “like a sore thumb”. Their position was ripe for a German counter attack.

Defender: German (Hermann Goering Division)  

Errata (source)