The Highest Battle of World War II WTO (id:#59281)

(Coastal Fortress ID: PK 36.1)   [next]   [previous]

Mount Froid, France 1945-04-05 (6 others)

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Overview:

In April 1945, the German mountain light infantry and Italian Fascists paratroopers still occupied the alpine ridge between France and Italy, notably in the upper Maurienne in the key sector of Mount Cenis. All the positions were held by crack units from the 5th German Mountain Division (principally the 3rd battalion of the 100.Gebirgsjäger-Regiment) and a company of the Italian Fascist Folgore Regiment : about fifteen hundred well trained, well-equipped soldiers with twenty howitzers and several heavy mortars. In the valley below, the 27th French Mountain Division, composed of former maquisards, brought three chasseurs alpins battalions into operation : about three thousand volunteers, not trained enough, badly equipped, but supported by forty-five field guns. On the 5th of April 1945, in spite of frigid conditions, a bitter wind and icy snow, the French battalions launched an offensive against the plateau of Mount Cenis, main part of the enemy defense, which gives access to the Suse valley and Piedmont. The first target was to take hold of Mount Froid (2820 m) which commands the valley and was the cornerstone of the German defense.

Defender: German / Italian (3rd Battalion of the 100th Gebirgsjäger Regiment, 5th Mountain Division the Italian Fascist Folgore Division)  

Errata (source)