October 1943 – January 1944
Allied Attacks on the Gustav Line
After joining forces in mid-September, the combined Anglo-American force began a slow northward advance through the Italian peninsula. On 1 October the Americans captured the city of Naples, while the British took Foggia, which would soon be converted into a massive base for air operations against Germany. However, the mountainous terrain of central Italy made further advance more difficult, especially as the Germans dug for the winter in a series of defenses that they called the Gustav Line. From here they fought a successful delaying action for several months, forcing the Allies to pay dearly for every village and mountain peak. As the Anglo-American offensive slowed to a crawl, Allied military planners grew disillusioned with the Italian campaign, and in December resolved that the upcoming invasion of France—Operation Overlord—should be given priority over further operations in Italy.

History:
Naples-Foggia

Campaign Map:
Allied Invasion of Italy and Initial Advances, September 1943 – January 1944

Photograph:
Front view of 240mm howitzer of Battery `B', 697th Field Artillery Battalion, just before firing into German held territory