Planning

One of Many

Operation “Avalanche” Salerno, Italy

Detailed Account


	Operational Planning Phase

		The basic form of the plan was that the “Toe of Italy” was too narrow to allow both armies to fight side by side, and the mountains would disrupt communications, and allow only one supply operation. This resulted in the idea that the 8^th Army (Montgomery) was to secure a beach head, and then to advance with all possible speed North. Clark and the US 5^th Army was to land at Salerno behind the German and Italian front lines and then to link up with the British 8^th Army. Both Armies would then move towards Rome. The final choice of landing was made on the 19^th August and approved by Eisenhower on the 30^th August. Much of the late timing was due to the heavy negotiations regarding the wishes of the Italian Government to surrender to the Allied forces. Operating from two man canoes, launched from a waiting submarine, detailed soundings of the water were sent back via the submarine HMS Shakespeare, with the message that there were far more mines in the bay than the high command had envisaged. On the 3^rd September the 8^th Army launched two divisions across the Strait of Messina and onto the beaches near Reggio (Operation Baytown). The US 36 Division was to secure its beach head, a perimeter of 25 miles. General Walker was to take two combat teams abreast of the main assault, and occupy the two high ground towns of Altavilla and Albanella. The advantage of these two towns was that they looked down over the wide expanse of Salerno Bay and the coastal plain. When taken, General Walker was to advance to Ponte Sele bridge where they would link up with the British on their left. 143 Regiment was to be kept in reserve, and would come ashore after the first wave in order to provide a fresh battle force through to the objectives.

General E. J. Dawley had two combat teams 179 and 157 Regiments of the US 45 Infantry Division stationed on landing craft offshore to act as a backup reserve force.

When the divisions had broken out of the beach head the aim was to put a line across Italy. This would guard the rear of the British Corps assault on Naples, anticipated for the 5^th day after landing. It would also trap the enemy forces south of the line, who would be retreating with the advance of the British 8^th Army under General Montgomery. The two Armies would then meet up and form a British and American parallel advance to Rome.


	To continue this operation select 8th Sept from the list of options.