[colorado tanker]

Nice read, today. For a "soft underbelly" that real estate sure had a steep price.

Interesting region of Italy. This must be where Bologna and Po-Boy sandwiches come from.

[SAMWolf]

Why anyone thought that fighting their way up the boot of Italy would be a good idea is beyond me. Someone must have thought the Germans would cut and run as soon as we landed.

[snippy_about_it]

This must be where Bologna and Po-Boy sandwiches come from.

Too funny!! Bologna maybe, but Po-Boy. LOL!

[Light Speed]

For a "soft underbelly" that real estate sure had a steep price

Although their were periods of cold,rain and mud...Italy was more weather kind for German forces than their battles on the Russian front..the Ardennes and the forest battles of the fall/winter/spring 44/45.

German Arty in Italy was power in scope...they were able to pile up allied advances with surgical arty and mortar attacks....traveleing Italian roadways and valleys below the mountains was costly for the allies.

Airpower...airpower which knew the lay of the land from 42 onward..the opps run out of North Africa.
In time the units flew to bases in Italy..and the hurt began to be applied to the Nazi's.

I remember watching some film of the last German units fleeing thru Rome...trucks going on 2 wheels with 88's in tow.

A proper picture...the Allies ran the Germans out of Italy : )