August – December 1944
Allied Attacks on the Gothic Line
Even before the Allies captured Rome the German commander in Italy, Field Marshal Kesselring, had decided to establish a new defensive position in the mountainous north of the country. The Allies sought to break this line—dubbed the Gothic Line—fairly quickly, but their efforts would be hindered by the transfer of thousands of troops, and one third of their artillery, to southern France.

Nevertheless, the first attacks took place at the end of August, and while the American efforts along the western section of the line made little progress, the British Eighth Army made a slow but steady advance in the east. Contrary to Allied hopes, the Gothic Line did not collapse, but its eastern part was pushed back by roughly fifty miles by the middle of December. At this point the winter weather began to interfere, and a halt was called to the offensive. While they had not gained a great deal of ground, the Allies could take comfort in the fact that they had prevented the Germans from sending any of their divisions to France.

History:
North Apennines

Campaign Map:
Allied Offensive in Italy, June – December 1944

Personal Account:
Rutgers Oral History Archives of World War II: Interview with J. Domer Zerbe

Photograph:
Bombs hurtle toward a Nazi highway bridge