Sunrise Surprise MTO (id:#65176)

(Grumble Jones ID: GJ085)   [next]   [previous]

Altavilla, Italy 1943-09-12 (4 others)

Overview:

As the Allied forces moved inland following the landings at Salerno, US Major General Dawley ordered Major General Walker's 36th Infantry Division towards the hilltop villages of Albanella and Altaville. Walker's "Texas" Division was supposed to expand the current bridgehead. The Americans would focus their defense on holding Altaville fro any German counter-attack. But they neglected to appreciate the significance of Hill 424 to the east. This high ground was the key to the region and the Germans knew it. While the Americans slept in their foxholes on the crest of Hill 424, German panzergrenadiers had successfully infiltrated all around the American positions. As the sun came up, the Germans would launched their bid to seize the hill as the main German forces moved in from the east to link up with the infiltrators.

Defender: American (2nd Battalion, 142nd Regiment, 36th Infantry Division)  

Errata (source)