Anzio '44 - Forgotten D-Day in Italy

[@alanstrawn732]

My father went in as part of the support troops after the Anzio invasion, hauling ammo and other supplies to the front lines. Oh the stories he finally told before he died a few years ago! On one trip back to the supply depot near the beach, he and his co-driver were flagged down by a small Italian woman. Through the use of a phrase book, they figured out that she was telling them that the adjacent wheat field was "full of German soldiers". She could speak German so they told her to tell the Germans to come out with their hands up since they were "surrounded"! Then 6 or 7 German soldiers arose from the wheat!! Dad and the other driver only had their Colt 1911s and were a bit surprised when the soldiers gave up. They were lined up on the concrete thrashing floor and disarmed, at which time Dad got and brought back a near perfect Luger pistol with matching numbers, holster and belt that now reside in a local museum.

[@saltyreesescup3104]

We Need To Write Books To Tell The World What Great Humans Our Fathers And Grandfathers Were...

[@AdmiralBonetoPick]

Cool. My grandad fought at Anzio in the 45th Infantry division (US). Maybe they met each other.

[@borodarust870]

@@saltyreesescup3104 да ты прав)) наши русские деды все сделали... а вы просто прибежали на готовенькое )) google translite

[@ralphwatten2426]

My dad was an MP at a POW camp. The German soldiers were happy to be there and taught my dad German. The Japanese were a different story.

[@masterowen45]

Part of the British Royal Army Service Corp?

[@jonathanljohnson]

I was well acquainted with a man who landed with the first troops at Anzio. He said he was reluctant to even talk to new arrivals along the front, because they were often killed within 15 minutes of arrival. He went into Anzio an atheist and came out a very devout Christian. He was one of the most humble and admirable characters I've ever met.

[@PROVOCATEURSK]

He saw all the death that god caused and became scared or what?

[@BA-gn3qb]

Did all the new arrivals that got killed become atheists?

[@Lee-bh9bf]

I have often heard the phrase "There are no atheists in foxholes" and always thought what a poor selling point that was for believing in God; You need to be scared out of your wits, life hanging in the balance for religion to make sense?

[@jonathanljohnson]

@@PROVOCATEURSK He learned to pray and saw the effects of his prayers.

[@jonathanljohnson]

@@Lee-bh9bf My religion has always made far more sense than any secular theory or philosophy, but I've never been in any situation that really threatened my mortal existence. I have a very clear, logical and satisfying explanation for every aspect of existence that I have observed. I certainly don't know all the details, but everything that I've ever observed fits within, without schism.

[@josephstevens9888]

I knew veterans from both sides of the Anzio Campaign. One was my brother-in-law's father who was assigned to the 3rd Division. He served with the 3rd during the North Africa landings in Morocco, Sicily, and in Italy as a follow-up to the Salerno landings. He received his "million dollar" wound at Anzio, thus taking him out of the war for good. If hadn't been wounded, there was a good chance my brother-in-law's father would have landed in southern France. The other veteran of the Anzio Campaign was a neighbor of my cousin who served in the Wehrmacht during the invasion of Yugoslavia earlier in the war. Instead of being sent to Russia, his unit was sent to Italy to repulse the Allied landings at Anzio. At Anzio he was captured by the Americans and sent to a POW camp in the United States. This German solider was from East Prussia, and after the war his family urged him to stay in America, if possible. This German solider applied for asylum, which was granted, and he lived a long and successful life in the United States.

[@irvingnerdbaum7256]

Dr. Felton always informs as do those commenting below. It's a history buff's living archive of pure unadulterated information and stories.

[@MrDlt123]

As a member of the U.S. military stationed in Napoli (Naples) Italy, I was able to participate in a 50th anniversary remembrance ceremony for Anzio (held in Netuno) in 1994 or 1995. There were many Veterans there from several counties, including Italians, Turks, Brits, Americans, and even former German Soldiers, and I heard many interesting stories. Hearing things first hand helps to put things into perspective, and it made me appreciate the relatively peaceful time in which I served.

[@tango6nf477]

Hi Darrin, there were many opportunities at memorials and commemorations for former adversaries to meet. I always found it immensely sad that these men who were once deadly enemies later discovered that they had so much in common and could actually be good friends. It just goes to show what a tragic waste of human life war is, pointless and achingly sad.

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

Turks???

[@lightfootpathfinder8218]

Do you mean Greeks rather than Turks ?

[@giampierocongiu2327]

"Nettuno" 2 "t", i live in Anzio next to Nettuno, i must correct you 😉

[@lightfootpathfinder8218]

@@giampierocongiu2327 I like Italy and Italians 🇮🇹 from England UK 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@danielburgess7785]

My uncle picked up a Purple Heart and an additional two clusters. If anyone mentioned Clark he excused himself to go outside. The rage he had after 70 + years was a frightening thing.

[@Chiller01]

Mark Clarke couldn’t step foot in Texas post war after the losses of the 36th Infantry Division at the Rapido River.

[@joeywheelerii9136]

@@Chiller01 I wonder if Patton was in charge of U.S forces at Anzio would it have ended differently?

[@kefkaZZZ]

Perhaps that’s part of why Anzio is not mentioned? Shame and anger over the failed invasion?

[@paulhindenberg6364]

@@joeywheelerii9136 probably. Clark moved way to slow with everything. Army scouts entered Rome and there were no Germans. They pulled out. They reported that to Clark, he dithered, the Germans rentered Rome, and American died because he wasn't aggressive enough. George Patton would have seized the moment, and saved lives.

[@imperishablestars33]

My grandfather refused to even talk about the war and refused medals and reunions. He was captured during this battle, and it fills my mind with sadness to think what he may have witnessed. He was Scottish fighting with the British.

[@bikes02]

My father was in Italy during the war, he was a driver of the Quad that towed the 25 pdr field gun Royal Artillery, he ended the war right near the top of Italy at a place near Trieste. Used to tell me that the best wine he had ever had was wine that he had watched Italian girls and women treading grapes in a big wooden vat in their bare feet. Before Italy he also fought in North Africa....Sadly he died in 2010 RIP dad

[@PROVOCATEURSK]

So sad he was a fan of alcohol.

[@californiadreamin8423]

Was he in the 56th London Division….the Black Cats ?

[@bikes02]

@@californiadreamin8423 Yes he was

[@californiadreamin8423]

@@bikes02 My Dad was in the 214 Field Ambulance RAMC, 56 Division. After Iraq they joined the 8th Army at Mareth , and on to Enfidaville. Thereafter they became part of the 5th Army, amphibious training at Bizerta for Salerno, then Monte Camino, the Garigliano, and then Anzio . After Anzio they went back to Egypt to rebuild after so many casualties. Then back to the 8th Army and the Gothic Line. I don’t recall him mentioning Rimini but he was worried about Lake Commachio. He asked for leave on the grounds he’d done his bit , but it was refused !! Apparently an amphibious operation outflanked the Germans and they broke through. He ended at Trieste. He said they were there to stop Tito’s partisans from taking over. I have some newspaper cuttings of a Divisional Football match against the local Italian team…Gradisca ??…in which he scored. It’s a small world.

[@bikes02]

@@californiadreamin8423 Wow yes it is a small world, my dad was in the 64th Field Regiment RA of 56 Div. For all we know, they could have met, I'll guess we'll never know.

[@dougmohr4272]

My father was in the 3rd Division and 5th company. He fought at Anzio.

[@Ferariiman]

Fun (or sad, actually) fact is the battle of Anzio was the place where Roger Water's father, 2nd Lt Eric Fletcher Waters, lost his life and his body was never found. His son has written plenty of song commemorating his father during his music career.

[@wolfmancole1908]

was looking for this comment. a lyric in “When the Tigers Broke Free” mentions the Anzio bridgehead. never knew much about the battle til now

[@davidrussell8689]

And the Anzio bridgehead was held at the cost of a few hundred ordinary lives .

[@apathist04]

@@davidrussell8689 and kind old King George wrote mother a note, when he heard that father was gone

[@User_not_userz]

Here in Anzio we have graffiti commemorating Waters, he even came to remember his father who died here

[@johncox2865]

Thanks Mark. This one is very significant to me. I lost an uncle on that beach. Direct hit by artillery. The found some of his remains during the 1950s. It is particularly moving to realize that he may have been one of the men shown in this film you have provided.

[@elainejohnson4352]

My uncle also died at Anzio. A gunner. He was 26.

[@thedukeofpaducah9682]

In the small Kentucky town I grew up in, one of the locals married a Sicilian woman he met during the war and they had 13 children together who were my playmates.

[@lomate1963]

He was a busy man 👍🏻👶🏻

[@Barwasser]

Jesus Christ, someone couldn't keep it to himself :D

[@ohioisastate8574]

Beast

[@jamesireland6606]

Like Groucho Marx said I like my cigar but I take it out of my mouth once in awhile

[@crispinjulius5032]

The Italian Campaign was a bloodbath with the Germans making the Allies pay for every inch of ground. He survived and he was damn well going to enjoy that survival! 😅

[@benisaten]

"He saw crosses grow on Anzio, Where no soldier sleeps and where Hell is six feet deep". Cheers and Respects to Sabaton and of course Audie Murphy. From 🇨🇦. Thanks Dr. Felton, your work is second to none.

[@alexamerling79]

Actor James Arness from Gunsmoke was wounded at Anzio and of course Audie Murphy was there too.

[@marktruax7996]

I can't imagine my days without you episodes on your channel!!!!

[@EricDaMAJ]

One of the reasons the size and scale of D-Day surprised the Germans is because the Anzio invasion was so anemic.

[@MatSpeedle]

My Grandfather was part of this operation, one of the bravest and kindest men I ever knew. I didn't know a lot of what he did here, but I do know he lost a lot of his friends. Thank you for covering this Dr Felton.

[@tinkmarshino]

This amazes me though I was born in 52 Anzio has always been known and talked about as a great allied victory. But to hear it call the forgotten D-day.. saddens me.. I would have never thought we would forget that battle and the many others that took place to free the world from Nazi oppressions.. So many brave people gave there lives in that struggle.. But I guess time buries every thing in the end.. Thanks Mark. Lest we forget..

[@kennethrouse7942]

Thanks for another fine video, Dr. Felton. The Anzio invasion was where US Pvt. James Aurness (as he then spelled it) was badly wounded in the right leg/hip by German machine gun fire. He spent the rest of his life suffering from his wounds. While not noticeable in his role as Marshall Dillon in 'Gunsmoke' his limp was not feigned for his role as Zeb McCahan in 'How the West Was Won.' A fine veteran, actor and man. 👍😎

[@bobkrohn8053]

The story I heard was that because he was so tall (6'7") he was positioned at the front of is landing craft. When they lowered the ramp he was to be the first one off so as to see how deep the water was!

[@1heKing]

My Great Grand Uncle partook in this! He was a radio man who made his was all the way to Germany! Recived the purple heart for a piece of shrapnel he got in his knee. we still have both the medal and the shrapnel piece!

[@thedukeofpaducah9682]

Thank you for sharing that.😊

[@saltyreesescup3104]

Your Uncle Is A Patriot And A Hero Sir...

[@cannz9134]

Good on you for holding on to our history 👍

[@1heKing]

@@cannz9134 oh yeah

[@1heKing]

@@saltyreesescup3104 he sure was as far as I know. I never had the pleasure of knowing him personally since he died when my mom was in high school.

[@pvm1081]

After North Africa my Dad was part of the Anzio invasion, then on to Cassino. He never spoke much about the war except in very rare instances. His opinion and that of many was Gen. Mark Clark was a terrible general costing many American lives from numerous bad decisions. Thank you Mark Felton.

[@bashirmuhammad8181]

The first time I learnt about Anzio was through the memoirs of Winston Churchill. Apparently, it was all his idea,the " soft underbelly" of Italy.The Italian campaign became anything but soft and Dr Felton has given us all the details we never knew existed!Thanks Doc.

[@Cailus3542]

In the long run, it was probably for the best, although not for the reasons Churchill predicted. Forcing the Italians out of the war, securing the Med and opening yet another front for the Germans to defend generally contributed to success. Bloody and horrific success, mind you.

[@ManDuderGuy]

The first I heard of it was in the Pink Floyd dirge "when the tigers broke free"

[@EricRush]

@@Cailus3542 The Italians had already surrendered. Rome had no military value. Anzio was another of Churchill's misadventures which FDR opposed because it sidelined landing craft, troops, and materiel needed for D-day. If Churchill ever planned a successful military campaign, I don't know what it was.

[@Seriona1]

I mean the soft underbelly thing is true. The Allies were originally going to target Greece and going for Italy knocked out a major Axis power and it forced Germany to divert divisions to that front that could of been sent to the east or west.

[@dougie1943]

@@EricRush Churchill was not a planner, that was the job given to military Generals. It was as a strategist that Churchill came to the fore. The Mediterranean, Italian campaign would have a devastating strategic effect on German efforts of ever achieving its war aims. British victories against the Italians in 1940, the neutralising of the German, Italian and Vichy surface fleets in the Mediterranean and Churchill's decision to support the Greeks that were fending off an Italian invasion alerted Hitler to the vulnerability of its Southern flank. To deal with that it had to delay Barbarossa to invade Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia, Crete, to dispatch the Afrika Korps into N. Africa and subsequently to invade Italy when they capitulated and declared war on Germany. A haemorrhaging of troops, air forces, ammunition, fuel, armour and shipping supplies even before embarking on its invasion of Russia. Within a few short months German aggression was floundering on the outskirts of Moscow and in defeats in North Africa. For the Germans the tide of their war had turned and the foundations for the allied victories that were to follow had been laid by Churchill in those early stages of WW2.

[@samiam5557]

Mark Felton the best historian on youtube!!! 👍

[@manisteerocks7092]

I'm sure that the 3k+ lives lost in battle for anzio is not forgotten. D day just being 2 days later may have over shadowed the battles fought,..it is still an absolute 💯 miracle more men didn't die. That was one hell of a battle. Thanks Dr.Felton for bringing this (should not be) forgotten battle. Cheers.

[@mirrorblue100]

My father served there in the 157 Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division - he endured some brutal combat before being grievously wounded on May 26 during the breakout to Rome. He was evacuated to a hospital in Naples then in August back to the US. The army kept him until VE Day. It was a tough battle for everyone there and no one should wish for war.

[@jamesfagan9818]

Whenever Mark asks "Why" and then responds to his own questions telling us "why," makes me feel fulfilled.

[@Ch1n4Sailor]

Another HOME RUN! Thank you Mr. Felton!

[@qgde3rty8uiojh90]

WOW !!!💥👊 "Lord" Felton just keeps 'em coming...👍 YOU THE MAN, MARK!😋🥰

[@likklej8]

Thanks Mark for Anzio and the Italy liberation. I worked with a man who had been a British Army Military Policeman in Italy he said the aftermath against Mussolini’s supporters was very bad

[@chrisabraham8793]

I knew a old boy where i worked who was a 4.2 inch mortar man worked in the team as a spotter and observer, taught me how to spot where a hidden German mortar was firing from and at what distance, all the tricks of the trade, told me of his time in Italy, very revealing, never forgot his story experiences.

[@josephmannion1714]

My grandfather took part in the Battle of Anzio. All around him men were dying, screaming for their mothers, before they had been cheery now, far from it. He was shot in the hip then the bullet went into the other hip and through the other side again. As he lay there dying, he was fortunately picked up by medics and taken back to Glasgow where he was going to have his leg amputated as gangrene had set in. Fortunately, he was saved from amputation after a special kind of surgery (not sure how it worked) was preformed on him. It was a terrible hardship for all who endured it. RIP the souls who dies there.

[@jackbarnes9728]

The fighting in Italy and Finland never seems to get as much discussion as other fronts. Great video!

[@Stretch501st]

My grandmother, 94 now, lost her older brother at the battle of Anzio. She still misses him to this day and she told me she also feels some resentment how Anzio was handled. Although she also saws in her very practical tone she always does that hindsight is 20/20. thank you mark for helping me to learn more about this brutal battle.

[@peteredwards338]

Met an old chap who had been a crewman on a British Cruiser at Anzio, they supported the troops by racing full speed towards the shore firing all the forward guns then raced away firing all the aft guns.

[@joegordon5117]

I think the role of the British and American navy is often under-represented in these invasions. A lot of the ships risked damage from air and artillery attacks to close in and give the landing forces as much support as they could from their big guns, knowing the need of the landing forces outweighed the risk to the ships. There are distant echoes of this decades later in RN ships using their guns close in to shore in the Falklands to support the Marines and Army landing forces. It's what the navy does, and respect to them for it

[@jimbertgameing8099]

Thank you again Mark Felton for giving us such interesting facts about the second world war!

[@fordfairlane662dr]

Mark Felton..the world history I never learned or knew existed..brought into the light of day..thank you Mark!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@wwiiinplastic4712]

I have a 1/32 scale model of Annie, aka Leopold, on a shelf behind me. That was a fun time at the beach.

[@steveconkey7362]

My father in Law hit the beach there, then dropped at Normandy and Market Garden with the 82nd Airbourne as a pathfinder. Meaning he went in first to light the landing sites. Never talked about it until we found his many decorations including the DSM.

[@ChancetheCanine]

My Dad turned 21 the day he went in on the invasion, a week later he was shot in his leg and lost three inches in length in that leg. Thanks Dr Mark!

[@agnivabanerjee3983]

What is his name? Respect!

[@c431inf]

As always Mr Felton sets a representation of historical events unmatched.

[@Foomba]

My Dad was in the US Veterinary Corps and helped man a dispensary at Anzio that treated mules. He landed after the Salerno landings and served at many sites that took care of mules. Persano, Naples, Grosseto and Anzio. His unit was sent to southern France late summer of 1944.

[@philtanics1082]

Friends grandfather won medals at Anzio, kept "Anzio" for licence plate rest of life after. It was quite the event, changed him and his friends forever.

[@PawsInMawsOwO]

I always wanted Dr.Felton to make a video on Anzio! My great grandpa was captured there he was a 45th Thunderbird! ((His escape from a pow camp is the stuff of legends )) Thank you for bringing the memory of these men to light sir.

[@oldgundog4705]

Thanks for your great work! Even though I didn't know exactly where in Italy it was, Anzio was never forgotten in my family. My grandma kept a scrapbook/diary during WW2 which was used as my first history textbook.

[@Prussian7789]

always a good day when a new mark felton video is posted

[@billknoderer8202]

Please spend more time on the Italy campaign. My Dad was in the 88th ID and was wounded twice. Once at Sante Marie Infante and again at Mt.Capello.

[@The_PaleHorseman]

When I hear Mark Feltons intro, I feel like I'm 16 again, getting off the bus in 2001/02 and turning on the history 2 channel at 4pm, binge watching ww2 documentaries.

[@normiron736]

I have been to Cassino, the reconstructed Basilica and the Polish cemetery behind it are very impressive and well worth a visit. Thete's a museum under the Basilica that has lots of shells, machine guns and helmets, etc that were removed from the rubble during the recinstruction, all very impressive

[@Regi62]

Whenever Mark Clark is involved I know its going to be a debacle.

[@nugnug118]

Absolutely brilliant video, I’m in Naples as I type this and visited casino and the momentary on monte-casino. Very interesting to see how difficult the terrain is to fight, the Germans defending definitely had the upper hand. Brilliant video mark. The lack of content on the Italy campaign is a real disaster.

[@nugnug118]

Monastery*

[@prince-solomon]

"The lack of content on the Italy campaign is a real disaster." Indeed. Especially the Battle for Monte Cassino, arguably the hardest fought battle of WW2, described to be worse than Stalingrad by numerous German veterans.

[@Alsatiagent]

My former father in law was in Italy. After the invasion he spent some of the war guarding his fellow Canadian soldiers, most of whom were facing court martial after getting a hold of (and consuming quickly) large amounts of good Italian wine. Somebody's got to do it. What else occurred I don't know. He always said that talking about the war made his stomach hurt. He had seen hard battle.

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

Sounds like an admirable man...

[@agnivabanerjee3983]

Are you now divorced sir?

[@PROVOCATEURSK]

There are simple ways to avoid war, but only for the brave ;)

[@joeminpa6705]

Thank you! I really hope this footage was all actually from Anzio. My father (1919 - 1982) was at Anzio. I don't know much about it. My dad died when I was only 15 and he didn't talk much about it before that. I was watching your footage wondering if my dad happened to be in any of them. He fought at Cassino and at Anzio, made it to Rome, and on the march north got captured, then escaped, then shot while escaping (the Germans thought he was dead) waited until night, and crawled back to friendly lines, then got sent home. Again, thank you. I haven't seen this much contemporaneous footage ever. I now have a better idea as to the terrain and how Germans were able to hide in hay bales to ambush the Allies.

[@beechy006]

Thanks for sharing Mark, my Grandad served in this campaign so great to hear from you on this, would love to hear more. He was a veteran of the North African campaign but his service was cut short in Italy after being struck down with shrapnel from a shell taking a chunk out of his thigh and also his chest - he had a bible in his top pocket that took most of the impact which saved his life, without that I wouldn’t be here today. From his hospital bed he even saw Mt Vesuvius erupt.

[@Manco65]

Thank you for presenting this. I had 2 relatives and 3 older acquaintances that took the route through Italy to Germany during WW-2.

[@muhammedaleem882]

Anyone else's eyes light up when you see a new mark felton video on your recommended.

[@danpatch4751]

I remember reading somewhere that the actor James Arness was injured at the battle of Anzio. The limp he walks with in the shows and movies he has been in is real.

[@frankbarnwell____]

Mr Arness was shot in the can, bum, rear... he has a limp a long time after, and odd walk apparent in several scenes on "Gunsmoke ".

[@bobkrohn8053]

Because of his height, he was told to be the first off the landing craft in order to see how deep the water was. He received several decorations and was a true hero.

[@jamesmapletoft4541]

My Grandfather was part of this. After it was over his commander realised that Grandad was in his 40’s and not “suited” to combat duties and he was sent home to UK. Being Grandad, he then joined the Home Guard. Hell of a man. He served in the Royal Horse Artillery during WW1 and was also a founding member of the RAF. A more placid and gentle man you could never find.

[@coolmacatrain9434]

It was just before dawn One miserable morning in black 'forty four When the forward commander Was told to sit tight When he asked that his men be withdrawn And the Generals gave thanks As the other ranks held back The enemy tanks for a while And the Anzio bridgehead Was held for the price Of a few hundred ordinary lives And kind old King George Sent mother a note When he heard that father was gone It was, I recall In the form of a scroll With gold leaf adorned And I found it one day In a drawer of old photographs, hidden away And my eyes still grow damp to remember His Majesty signed With his own rubber stamp It was dark all around There was frost in the ground When the tigers broke free And no one survived From the Royal Fusiliers Company Z They were all left behind Most of them dead The rest of them dying And that's how the High Command Took my daddy from me

[@jonmurphy4218]

You beat my too it. My fav Pink Floyd. When the Tigers broke free. And the Anzio bridgehead has held For price of A few hundred ordinary lives. Roger Waters father, Eric Fletcher Waters was one of these Ordinary men rip

[@rougehawk]

Beat me to it as well haha, great song!

[@RCorvinus]

Dad is gone, across the ocean. Leaving just a memory. A snapshot in the family album. Daddy what else did you leave for me? Daddy whad’ya leave behind for me?

[@LoPhatKao]

doh i didn't check comments and posted the first few lines as well great minds 😄

[@anothermax420]

@@LoPhatKao Me too. Had to delete my comment once I read the rest And I tried so hard to be an individual lol

[@kevinfox1780]

My grandfather was at Anzio-Nettuno as part of the 1st Special Service Force, a Canadian-US unit and was wounded at the Mussolini canal.

[@palmergriffiths1952]

My Grandfather was also a veteran of The First Special Service Force.

[@palmergriffiths1952]

@@regandouglas I remember my Grandfather wouldn't say much about it when I was a little kid but when I got older he started opening up about it. I totally get what you're saying about your Grandfather not taking about it. I'm sure he seen alot of the same things my Grandfather witnessed. I know he saw some real horrible things and he told me about some of them but like I said before he waited till I was a bit older. I'm assuming he did that so I'd understand the scope of it. I guess he didn't want to be telling a child the horrors of war. I would think as well there was alot of stuff he didn't tell me that he took to his grave and I honestly never pressured him into telling me anything. He told me I guess when he felt the time was right. I couldn't even imagine what your Grandfather and mine as well as the other soldiers went through.

[@lorenzo4408]

He might have fought with either Italian SS or X° MAS infantrymen

[@MPGunther1]

Hello and Thank you Dr. Felton. I'm always amazed by the video clips you've added to your narrations

[@cior8837]

As always Dr. Mark Felton. Thank you for the highest of quality history productions!

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

One has to think that the rather moderately difficult ability to contain the beach head helped influence German thinking about any landing in France. The fact that the Germans were able to easily reinforce the region and halt any Allied advance no doubt colored Hitler's thoughts about keeping the Panzer Reserve well away from the front. Of course Rommel knew better as the distances between Anzio and Allied airfields in Sardinia, Corsica and Southern Italy did not allow for the concentration of air power that he knew they could muster to interdict German daytime movement.

[@Julius_Hardware]

Very good point. Salerno in particular I think influenced German thinking

[@noobster4779]

The primary problem for the germans and their main fear wasnt allied airpower, but the naval artillery. During their Anzio coutnerattack the absolute elite unit, the "Panzer Lehr Regiment", personaly ordered into battle by Hitler, got absolutely eradicated by naval guns. The germans feared a repeat of that in Normandy and thereby held the tanks back to fight the allied forces, after the initial landings, in a more open field outside naval support range. The german counteroffensive durign the initial landing on sicily got destroyed by naval artillery and the german counterattack at anzio got destroyed by it. They didnt want to take the chance a third time. Allied air superiority only played a secondary role in that decision. Troops could easily still be moved at night with minor loses and the distance from Paris to Normandy isnt exactly long.

[@mikedeck8381]

The story I heard is that the German did intend to make an armored counterattack against the Normandy beach heads but the Brits found out where German staff HQ for the armored attack was and heavily bombed it by air and killed most of the staff officers involved in planning the counterattack. The Germans had to assign new staff officers and it delayed the attack by several weeks. By then it was too late.

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

@@noobster4779 I have to strongly disagree that air power is secondary to naval gunfire in disrupting enemy movement in an AO. And I have to also disagree that being denied the ability to move during the day was no big deal for the Germans. Air power was the primary interdiction and attritional tool, for not only destroying German vehicles in the actual battle-zone, but also destroying rail networks vital to German armor movement and re-supply. Naval gunfire was secondary as it is only good for defending the beach head perimeter within the range of their guns. It doesn't disrupt mass German troops deployments in the area of operations, nor can it disrupt supply lines in the Support Zone. Moreover, not being able to move large formations during the day is a HUGE deal. Primary document after primary document described how Allied airpower made the movement of German troops even from the area around Paris difficult. The Germans primarily used railroads to move their tanks. Allied air power had wrecked the rail networks and attacked bridges and during the day armored units were repeatedly attacked. Panzer Divisions reported heavy losses in their days long movement from Paris to Normandy. This movement was delayed precisely because of damage to rail hubs and bridges in and around Paris. Also, the German supply situation was critical thanks to repeated air attack and transportation disruption. The only reason the Germans were able to re-supply at even modest levels is because Rommel had put the canals in northern France on proper footing. Finally, WWII is pre-NVG. Commanders in WWII rarely were able to conduct massive offensive operations at night. The watch word for any counter-attack is speed. Being able to only utilize 8 hours a day for all movement is a decisive handicap.

[@tomnewham1269]

@@crownprincesebastianjohano7069 don’t forget to add that the French resistance played their part in disrupting rail movements

[@jejejeje4491]

Thank you Dr Mark Felton

[@paulrickett4402]

I went to the war cemeteries in Anzio and Nettuno, upsetting to see so many 17/18 years olds that lost their lives in that landing.

[@nastypiglosi1788]

@Derrick Bridges I doubt many of them wanted to be there

[@BRANFED]

alot of young soldiers died on the german side too.. war tends to claim the young in huge numbers

[@dongately2817]

Always the young fighting, if the politicians actually had to get out and do the fighting we’d have the brotherhood of man and world peace tomorrow.

[@Demun1649]

Due, in the main, to the indecision and inactivity of Clark.

[@Demun1649]

@@BRANFED Who cares about the Nazis? They started the war, invaded many countries, carried out many atrocities. They cannot be mourned, they were NOT proper soldiers, they were killers, babies, old people, women after being raped. I have no sympathy to waste on them.

[@marionchurch1644]

Everytime I've feel like I've learned everything I could want to possibly want to know about WW2, Mark Felton proves me wrong. I appreciate your passion and enthusiasm for your work, Mr. Felton. I truly appreciate you.

[@badgerstatebard320]

I had a teachers aide in Grade School who's father fought at Anzio and I remember her telling me about how he described spending most of his time in a fox hole while they were being shelled, including by the rail-mounted guns. Another great video Mark!

[@hazmatboy]

My grandfather was 1st. Armored Div and was involved in Operation Anzio. I have some photos and journals. Very interesting and very proud.

[@enzoxu8487]

Thanks for bringing attention to battles long forgotten. It's always a good day when Mark Felton releases a video :)

[@DaveSCameron]

Long gone? Are you real????

[@froot6086]

@@DaveSCameron re read what he said dude

[@JAIMEAYMERICHFANS]

@@froot6086 he said ? he ???

[@rocksandoil2241]

A friend of my father was at Anzio. Older than most as he refused to not go as all his younger brothers were drafted. In the 1950s we'd go to my uncles who lived next to the park where the city had 4th of July fireworks. He would cuss and lay in the yard, couldn't stand up especially when the loud ones went off. My father had to explain it to me. His one story he shared with dad was being among some NY soldiers and it got quiet. Some birds landed nearby. And one of them said "Listen to the boids choyping" and some of them laughed until nearly hysterical. It was just such a nightmare that I have no way to conceptualize.

[@thEannoyingE]

My uncle was stationed in Italy at this time. One of his jobs, when shot down planes came in, was to clear the aircraft of any bodies inside. As well to remove any sensitive equipment that could be salvaged, and reused, as not to fall into enemy hands. He never regretted it.

[@petitekusa]

Thank you Mark. My father, a Sergeant at the time, also fought at Anzio. He was also part of the North Campaign as well. We have letter he wrote on May 25, 1944, about his short time in Rome after some heavy weeks in the field just before. Like the others, he did not speak about the horrors of war he had lived through, but rather he wished for peace and that it could not come soon enough. Thanks again for your tribute to the brave men who fought and to all of us who share their history.

[@KrimzonAlchemist]

Mom! Get in here! Mark Felton posted a new video!

[@davidtuttle508]

Dr. Felton - the initial Commander for the Anzio beachhead was US Major General (MG) John P. Lucas, who was the nominal Commander for the 6th US Corps. MG Lucas ordered that his units' consolidate their forces in/around Anzio. US Fifth Army Commander - Lieutenant General (LTG) Mark Clark, Lucas' superior foresaw that if they 6th Corps stayed in/around Anzio that they would be put under siege. It wasn't until the latter part of February 1944, when MG Lucian Truscott replaced MG Lucas.

[@Roller_Ghoster]

Ive just bought a medal set of a soldier from British 8th Army who fought in North Africa and Italy so this is very well timed.

[@californiadreamin8423]

They might have been my Dads. He gave his away when he finally got home. I’m ashamed to say I finally binned his greatcoat which he prized more than any medals as it kept him warm in the mountains.

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank you Mark!

[@charlesentrekin140]

One of the support troops at anzio was a guy by the name of Bill Malden, he was a cartoonist for Stars and Stripes. After the war he wrote a book called up front. His remembrances are interesting and his cartoons are hilarious.

[@CCM2361-]

My Great Uncle served at Anzio in the 45th Infantry division. Always enjoyed hearing him talk about Anzio. Wish he was still around.

[@zachhart6793]

Congratulations on becoming an internet legend Mark

[@wysiwyg654]

My grandmother's brother was sent to the Anzio beachhead directly from basic training as part of the 30th infantry regiment of the 3rd Division. He was wounded on March 1st and received a purple heart. He was back in service three weeks later, but was killed during the breakout on May 23rd. He was buried in the American military cemetery in Nettuno and didn't come back home until 1948. I was able to find his rather non-descript grave this spring. Luckily my grandmother saved some of his V-Mail correspondence.

[@jamestaylor7710]

Yay ! More accurate information from Dr Mark Felton .

[@Mike91337]

My grandfather was wounded at anzio with the 3rd infantry division. Again in german but survived with a bronze star as well. Rest in peace grandpa.

[@wweminehead]

Hey Mark hope your having a great day.

[@DaveSCameron]

Why?

[@tracedonovan3591]

@@DaveSCameron why not

[@DaveSCameron]

@@tracedonovan3591 Well I'd like to think he's enjoying his August Bank Holiday weekend so perhaps something more akin to the upload here would be useful, respectfully of course 👍

[@shearwave7885]

I wish I had mark as my high school history teacher!!!

[@whiteknightcat]

Check out Lord Cryptid's channel. He videoed some excellent presentations to his classes of famous battles, some modern, and some from antiquity.

[@shearwave7885]

@@whiteknightcat will give it a shot thanks for the heads up.

[@locutus155]

Anzio was indirectly responsible for the album Pink Floyd The Wall. Roger Waters' father Eric, was killed at Anzio. The story of The Wall, had the character of Pink (representing both Syd Barrett and Roger Waters) losing his father at the Anzio bridgehead, this, along with other events in Pink's life, sets the stage for the second act of the album.

[@kelzuya]

Bring the boys back home.

[@cuddlepaws4423]

I never knew that . I've listened many times to the album ( usually stoned ) and I think it shows the seductive appeal of Fascism and the sense of belonging to something ' greater ' . Hence his metamorphosis on stage where he pulls off the ' old him ' just after the absolute classic track " Comfortably numb " , where has gone a little ' special ' . Check the film and pay close attention to the lyrics .

[@marcelievsky]

'When Tigers Broke Free'

[@lisataylor2346]

Thank you for this video. My dad was 18 when he landed at Anzio and rarely spoke of it. We knew only that he was one of two in his group to survive. I had no idea the siege lasted so long and I can see from the videos that it must have been terrifying. Dad missed the liberation of Rome, having been hospitalized for pneumonia (caught in the Anzio trenches), and he bitterly regretted this - he wanted to be there! He was later badly wounded in the Urals and finally sent home. I've long wanted to know the reasons for the Anzio landing, which we'd heard was a diversion - which deeply upset my Dad. To him, Anzio was no less important than any other battle. I'm glad to learn the full story, and that by posting this video, I hope that others will learn from it.

[@xne1592]

My father was at Anzio. As a rule he wouldn't talk about his war time experiences but as he got older he told me some of them. It seemed certain phrases or smells recalled memories. One time I was scrapping some tiles off the floor with a shovel and he said that he was once detailed to help move the bodies of dead Canadian soldiers piled onto a landing craft from the beaches at Anzio. He said when they got down to the bottom layer the bodies had stuck to the metal deck and they had to use shovels to scrape them up. He said he could still hear the sergeant telling him to get the shovels, he said I don't know where you can get them from but you'll have to find somewhere. Also one te they were about to be overun by the Germans and had to drive yhe wagons up to trees with yhe engines running in gear with no oil in the sump. He also they had to push the donkeys over a cliff so the Germans couldn't use them, that seemed to truly upset him...

[@kmorris180]

My dad was part of the group who went from North Africa, up into Sicily and on into Italy. Man, would I like to track down some of the families of the guys he served with.

[@darthfader733]

I just finished reading "STRICK" by Tim Strickland that contains firsthand descriptions of the fighting in Italy. Sadly, not many know how tough the Italian campaign was for the Allies.

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

So forgotten in fact that this is first time I've heard of Anzio.

[@marioacevedo5077]

My next door neighbor fought at Anzio as an M8 Hellcat commander with the Tank Destroyers of the 3ID. He didn't talk much about what they went through other than it was very tough combat especially in the towns.

[@jimc.goodfellas]

That intro music is legendary

[@joegordon5117]

Reminded of Spike Milligan's war memoirs, on disembarking on Italy they see HMS Warspite in the bay, big guns firing, moment later huge explosions several miles inland. "That's not doing Jerry much good," comments on soldier. Then looks at how far Warspite rocks back on her axis each time she fires a broadside "come to think of it, it's not doing Warspite much good either..."

[@AtheistOrphan]

A great series of books which I often re-read. I was lucky enough to meet Spike at the launch of the last volume (‘Peace Work’) and get him to sign my copy. I asked him if he was planning another one and he replied “Give me a bloody chance I’ve only just finished writing this one!”

[@L8bro]

My grandfather was at Anzio.

[@jackthebassman1]

My dad was at Anzio, Casino, scribed his name on a brick in the Colosseum (I’ve been there and seen it), fought with both the Italian and Yugoslav partisans, of whom he said “they scared me more than the Germans”. Oh and won a cup at Naples Speedway for cinder track racing.

[@Utraque]

That sounds like an incredible story. Whereabouts was the brick? Seems like he saw a lot during the war, too.

[@jackthebassman1]

@@Utraque Just inside the entrance, turned left and a few metres in at eyeliner height. He’d taken mum there a few years ago and she told me almost exactly how to find it - she was the most organised woman in the world. We went as a sort of historic tribute - I took one look and cried, I felt a bit foolish.

[@thunderbird1921]

You may not believe this Jack, but there is an ACTUAL 1950s movie that shows some of the World War II events around this time in Italy: Force of Arms. What makes the movie unusual though is that it's both a war movie and a romance in one (the lead soldier character played by William Holden starts dating a WAC). Some ladies online have said it's actually their favorite World War II movie, because it's a gritty and honest yet emotional take on the two sides of the war environment.

[@jackthebassman1]

@@thunderbird1921 Thank you for the info, I’ll look out for that ✌️

[@mitchmatthews6713]

My educational lunch break! Thank you, Mark!

[@loviedebiasio8864]

When I was young I was into building plastic models. I remember I had a model of the Anzio Landing. Also My best friends Father Landed at Anzio as a medic. I never knew he had landed at Anzio til he had past away. When he came home he was a top notch carpenter til he pasted

[@UncagedSavage]

" passed"

[@loviedebiasio8864]

@@UncagedSavage Thats what happens when your tired from a long work day😆

[@DRFelGood]

Excellent update and research 🔬 thank you for sharing 👍

[@shubharthidutta979]

A short man from Texas a man of the wild thrown into combat where bodies lay piled fightings in motion his blood running cold just like his victory his story unfolds

[@mtkoslowski]

Are you drinking?

[@CM-ve1bz]

@@mtkoslowski Drinking to Audie Murphy

[@henrykeyter53]

A short man from Texas A man of the wild Thrown into combat Where bodies lie piled Fights his emotions His blood's running cold Just like his victories His story unfolds White, a bright light If there'd be any glory in war Let it rest on men like him Who went to hell and came back

[@nastygamer7929]

Oh yes

[@Pedro-tv6wz]

@@henrykeyter53 Crosses grow on Anzio, where no soldier sleep and where hell is six feet deep

[@lawyers9]

Another superb presentation by Mark Felton! He somehow seems to come up with new material always!

[@keaganscott9808]

One part that wasn’t entirely mentioned here was how big of a blunder the days after the landing were. After meeting almost no resistance, instead of pushing further inland to take Rome or move south to attack the Gustav line from behind. Maj. General Lucas, Clark’s subordinate in charge of the landing, decided to dig in for more than a week. While it’s true Clark gave him only about 40,000 men to accomplish this, it still would have been enough to unhinge the gustav line and by extent possibly shorten the Italian campaign. Lucas’s caution and lack of initiative led to his dismissal and he never again held an active combat role, and together with Clark going for Rome instead of encircling German units were two of the biggest blunders of the Italian campaign and western front as a whole. They also make pretty good “what if” scenarios.

[@infantryattacks]

Two battalions of US Army Rangers were wiped out near Anzio one week after the initial landing. That debacle certainly influenced the actions of the Corps commander who was poorly supported by Mark Clark.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

General Lucas had never the writings of General Tacticus - if you want your soldiers to be familiar with a spade, encourage them to become farmers.

[@nickdanger3802]

IWM "The fears of Allied commanders persisted and in December the Anzio plan was shelved. But Churchill had not lost his enthusiasm and pushed successfully for it to be reinstated. By now, the aims of the operation had become confused. The 15th Army Group Commander, General Sir Harold Alexander, stressed the need to strike out from Anzio to capture the strategically important Alban Hills, which dominate Highway 6 and Highway 7 south of Rome. These were the main German supply routes to Cassino and the western end of the Gustav Line. But he gave too much latitude to Clark and his staff, who were more concerned with establishing a solid enough bridgehead to contain the inevitable German counterattacks. Memories of the US Fifth Army’s experience at Salerno in September, when a furious German response had almost thrown the Americans back into the sea, were fresh in everyone’s mind. Clark considered the Alban Hills too far away to be taken quickly by only two divisions. The bleakest view was held by Major General John Lucas, the man entrusted with tactical command of the operation. He was in charge of US VI Corps, which was to form the invasion force and incorporated British troops. Lucas claimed his men were not sufficiently trained or prepared and advocated caution once ashore. The limited forces provided for the operation and the muddle over objectives would combine to produce a near disaster." IWM Anzio - The Invasion That Almost Failed

[@infantryattacks]

@@neiloflongbeck5705 Tacitus never faced Panther tanks, Ferdinand Assault guns, Nebelwerfer rocket launchers nor MG 42 machine guns. At Salerno the year before one German panzer division nearly triumphed. Lucas was placed in a crappy position, initially with just two divisions. The Germans dominated the high ground. Allied familiarity with the spade, sheer guts, and a lot of artillery and naval gunfire saved the Anzio bridgehead when the oft delayed German counter offensive was finally mounted. The Germans took too long to mobilize the counterattack forces, mostly because Hitler insisted on waiting until the Panther battalion and other heavy weapons arrived. He also demanded that the Infantry Lehr Regiment spearhead the attack, a huge mistake because this unit had no combat experience. Even then the German counter offensive nearly split the bridgehead.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

@@infantryattacks no, but when he became King of IIRC Sto Lat he assessed which nations posed the greatest treat to his throne and then declared war on his former country the city state of Ankh Morpork. At Anzio they needed a commander who was dynamic, instead they got incompetence of a scale demonstrated at Galipoli. A d we all know how that panned out.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

thanks for sharing a wonderful historical coverage about Italy D-Day landing