Description
Book SynopsisEnjoy a detailed examination of Operation Olive as US, British, Commonwealth and Allied forces seek to smash through the last German defensive line in Italy.
The Italian theatre of operations post-summer 1944 was often (and incorrectly) surmised at the time as a quiet sector of World War II, populated with troops who were relieved not to find themselves fighting in North-West Europe. Yet the true nature of the hard fighting that took place here was soon revealed when the Allies began their assault on the Axis Gothic Line defences, known as Operation Olive.
In this book, Italian military historian Pier Paolo Battistelli documents the dual Allied offensive spearheaded by American and British units to smash through what was supposed to be the final Axis defensive line in Italy before the Alps. The overall strategic aims of both the Axis and Allied leaders are explored, together with the organization of the forces committed.
The expertly resear
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By Page 30 readers have been given a first-class overview. -- Susan Wilson * Army Rumour Service *
A well-researched and accessible guide to a fascinating and complex late-war campaign. * Military Modelcraft International *
Table of Contents
ORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Allied Axis OPPOSING FORCES Allied Axis Orders of battle, 25 August 1944 Orders of battle, 1 November 1944 OPPOSING PLANS Allied Axis THE CAMPAIGN BR Eighth Army breaches the Gothic Line The Battle for Rimini US Fifth Army pierces the Gothic Line BR Eighth Army’s offensive on the Romagna Plain The thrust towards Imola US Fifth Army’s drive on Bologna BR Eighth Army’s final push Final operations AFTERMATH THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY FURTHER READING INDEX
