WORSE THAN OMAHA BEACH? River Assault Massacre Italy 1944

[@chrispig7748]

Absolutely astonishing, can you imagine being told you are getting in that boat to cross that river and you know it’s not going to work

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s incredible isn’t it. The negligence of the commanders from Clark down to execute this plan in the manner they did so is appalling. While anything is easy with hindsight, having huge amounts of replacement GIs join the 36th’s Regiments the day of the attack and being told to get on with it without knowing who was who and what company they were in was crazy. Something unimaginable in this day and age

[@terrywoodham8419]

This was amazing very well put together as always .I learnt a lot watching this thank you jon all your films are so informative and professionally put together .

[@palmergriffiths1952]

​@@WW2WayfinderGreat Presentation. Keep up the Excellent work. What a Slugfest for The Allies. They Certainly didn't deserve the disparaging "D-day Dodgers" Label.

[@AlanToon-fy4hg]

I have also read that many 36ID veterans felt that they had been used as cannon fodder as the 36th was an Army National Guard division. In those days the Guard and the Active Army did not always work well together as they should have. (I must mention that as a Guard retiree things are much, much different now.) Another great program, Jon.

[@williamashby1661]

I always enjoy your channel but as soon as I heard Rapido River my interest skyrocketed. My second cousin Corporal Harold Hilty served in the 36th Infantry Division 143rd Infantry Regiment Company L. Sadly he was reported missing in action along the Rapido River and his remains were never recovered. The dates when he went missing were between January 21st-January 23rd. A review of the circumstances of those missing along with him that I have obtained are exactly as you described. He was 18 at the time and while I never met him I remember my dad talking about him. You don't now how much your video means to me. Keep up your fantastic work.

[@adamellson153]

I have always loved your channel, you always tell incredible stories in ways that are easy to understand and at increasingly brilliant standard.

[@GhostRider247]

Thank you Jon for another fantastic episode , and for all your hard work bringing this content to us all , and long may it continue in "25" !!

[@johnhanson9245]

Gen Clark was a horrible leader and tactician...There is a reason most don't know his name in history

[@senseofthecommonman]

Yep possibly the worst allied leader of the war

[@ericmailander3361]

No one is mentioning his stupidity having the Monastery bombed. Even though the New Zealand General (Freyberg) requested it bombed, Clark could have over ruled it.

[@scottgalloway345]

​@@ericmailander3361actually,the Indians were instrumental in having the building bombed,they refused to attack until it was done

[@gibraltersteamboatco888]

Great piece. Thanks. Pure ego. Time January 46 quoted a company commander: “I had 184 men . . . 48 hours later I had 17. If that’s not mass murder I don’t know what is.”

[@davidk7324]

Wonderful work. Your well-written narration and carefully selected graphics are delivered with tone and pace that at the same time informs, honors . . . and mourns . . . as only a soldier can do. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for taking the time to watch. It’s a wonderful area to visit today but it sits in stark contrast with the ferocity of the fighting there.

[@daniellejones5981]

@@WW2Wayfinder That place in Italy is so beautiful... It makes hard to see the death and destruction we inflict on each other, even to this day...

[@sabii416]

Very insightful details. While the Rapido and Cassino exacted heavy casualties, the lesser known battles at Cisterna, San Pietro and Ortuna were some of the bloodiest for the allies. Certainly up there or exceeding Omaha beach. Thank you for another enjoyable video.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you. It’s a campaign that sadly receives so little interest in the main stream when thinking of ww2 but the men who fought there deserve to be remembered in equal measure

[@sabii416]

​@@WW2Wayfinder I couldn't agree with you more. More history of the fighting in Italy should be discussed, and the heroes remembered.

[@Blitz9H]

True. The whole “soft underbelly of Europe” was a farce.

[@billhobbs7077]

Ortona wasn't an allied operation, it was a Canadian operation

[@sabii416]

When I think of allied powers I also include Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

[@donl1846]

As tragic as this was you sure told the story of these brave men with honor for them. The drone shots, coupled with the photos/video's, your detail research from both sides of the battle made this, for me, a very moving documentary in so many ways. Well done and thank you !

[@troykauffman3963]

Absolutely stupidity on Clark’s part and amazing that he was never held accountable for that useless river assault, but Walker suggests an alternate crossing and is reassigned….amazing. Great memorial and bell for the men who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The Susquehanna river where McCall lost his life is not far from me. Outstanding job as always Jon, thank you sir. 🫡

[@Hew.Jarsol]

Omaha was only a "slaughter" due to the big ego American Generals had who wouldn't listen to the British or Canadians who learnt a lot from the ill fated Dieppe. Sword was the most heavily defended beach, yet British Combined Operations dealt with it using the lessons learnt at Dieppe. Hollywood fails to mention this.

[@orwellboy1958]

One thing you'll never get from Hollywood is the truth.

[@redaug4212]

Wouldn't learn from the British or Canadians in what way? And by what metric was Sword "the most heavily defended beach"?

[@gratefulguy4130]

Idk about Sword being the most heavilu defended.. Allied command intentionally put American troops in the toughest fighting on basically all combined operations to bleed them so Americans would feel we had a stake in a war that was not ours.

[@antonrudenham3259]

@@gratefulguy4130 The Germans weren't stupid, only 8 miles across good tank country inland from Sword lies Caen which was the key city to all of Normandy and so they built very very heavy defences not only on the coast but at various points inland, these latter were actually crucial in stalling the British thrust to Caen on D Day. So yes, Sword was very heavily fortified indeed and those defences were breached largely due to the presence of British 'funnies' which the Americans thought so little of. There's no doubt that if the British had landed on Sword in the same manner as the US did on Omaha and with the same ORBAT then Omaha would have been repeated there. During the 18 months planning prior to D Day nobody at any point thought Omaha was the most heavily defended beach and the decision to land US troops on the 2 westernmost beaches was due to the fact that follow on troops would be arriving from a westerly direction from western England where they were all based while Brit CW troops arrived on the easternmost 3 beaches because they were stacked up in Eastern England, you're thinking about Marshalls keenness to get US troops on the ground in North Africa for Op Torch.

[@johnkidd1226]

​@@gratefulguy4130BS.

[@PaulMcNicholls66]

A very interesting and well laid out presentation. My father would land at Anzio very shortly after these events.

[@daniellejones5981]

You sure do get around!!! And your Channel is one of the Best! I've read about so many of these Battles that you cover, but your detail and location shots bring it all home. Thanks for a Yank!

[@dennisgreen3430]

This is the first of your videos I have found. Magnificent! Your research, knowledge, presentation are commendable. Thank you so much.

[@greggriffin1]

Always such great content from you never miss what you post, thank you

[@cameron3815]

Another great video Jon with great information. Well put together. Thanks.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it. It’s a horrendous series of events and one that i still can’t begin to imagine. Italy in January isn’t a warm place and to subject the men to that river crossing in such a manner just beggars belief!

[@Jimmy-hd7vu]

We all know about Monte Cassino, but I had no idea of this battle and the devestation to the US Troops. Really enjoyed how you editied this video; splicing in film from then and showing us now where this all happened.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you Jimmy for the support! It’s greatly appreciated and I’m glad you enjoyed this episode. Hopefully it helps to shed some light on those incredibly brave but unlucky men of the 36th!

[@VFRSTREETFIGHTER]

Great video, thanks for covering this tragic event. I hope you had a good time in Italy.

[@tjcurran4912]

Another wonderful story of Courage & Sacrifice. To note; the accompanying music fit the disaster and the Heroism of those involved. It actually made me shed a tear for the loss of those Brave Young Men. Thanks Jon!

[@OMLT2010]

Ein hervorragendes Video ! Vielen Dank. Grüße aus Deutschland.

[@xray86delta]

In high school, I had a junior ROTC instructor who had served as an officer in Italy during world war II. Once, speaking of the rapido River crossing, and the disastrous affair with the 36 infantry division, he stated "a terrible intelligence mix-up. The Germans were estimated to have 150 tanks in Italy. If that was true, most of them were across the Rapido River that morning."

[@senseofthecommonman]

Americans love to criticise Monty and seem to forget the failings of many of their commanders.

[@ericmailander3361]

Seems like most here are criticizing Gen Clark.

[@terrywoodham8419]

Very interesting and informative as all your work is .professionally put together thank you jon for everything you do to keep history and all the events of ww2 a live and not forgotten.

[@mikehall5815]

Great job Jon. I really enjoy these types of stories. This one pulled at the heart strings a bit. Stay safe Jon.

[@matthewseawell1667]

Great story-telling, great visuals.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@matthewseawell1667]

@ One more thing I’ve been neglecting to mention: great musical choices.

[@RickJZ1973]

Great presentation!!! As always, very thorough and engaging content. I particularly enjoy seeing how the sites look today.

[@davidg1811]

Excellent job with this video!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@kelly171a]

I love your channel , please keep it up and thank you!

[@maryholder3795]

I heard of the US troops trying to cross the River Rapido before. As Major General Walker said " The situation looks bad for us". Where you are at 5:30 it looks peace and a lazy flowing river. The Germans had the prepared defensive terrain the weather, and experienced 15th Panzergrendier regiment. Even the Germans must have shaken their heads at this US attack. It is clear to me from this video that Walker was right, Clark and his staff where wrong in their choice of were to cross. It was a futile operation The memorials and the bell of peace are a stark reminder of the losses of " a river too far" at that moment in time. Thank you for a great video, loving the graphics, you being on the ground, your explanation. Plus the mention of the enquiry.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The Germans didn’t really consider it an assault! Hard to imagine given the losses suffered but the 36th Div over those two days’

[@ericmailander3361]

@@WW2Wayfinder I was just there visiting that exact area. You have to remember that the Americans crossed in January when the river was full with runoff, a swift current, mud and much wider than shown in this documentary.

[@Dsm2000]

I would love to see people do more on the Italian campaigns this is where my grandfather fought in WW2 as part of medical collection unit, and I know little about it because no one really covers this part of the war. So thank you for covering some of it.

[@maverick4177]

Never truer words…..old men sending young men to their deaths for little or no gain or actual real defined purpose

[@theocold9256]

Really good story. Thanks for sharing. Obviously another blunder by Gen. Clark. History hasn’t been kind to him. Hard to trust a guy with a rhyming first and last name lol. A man who abandoned the British to grab the glory by “liberating” Rome rather than trap the entire, powerful, 10th German army as ordered. You’re doing good work. I enjoy your videos very much.

[@psychobob169]

Amazing video 😮

[@docdyer]

Superb video - with thanks.

[@StephenBaird-cp1fc]

Excellent and informative video

[@vaughncox9676]

Dad was in the 34th div some of whom were just south of the Rapido hit, he knew some of the 36 Texas guys. He remarked"They say the Rapido ran red with blood", then he would get this far away sad look in his eyes, and say"It didn't, it was pink."--Dad was intense.

[@colinpowis3600]

I believe that

[@StephenBaird-cp1fc]

The 15th Panzergrenider division was originally the 15th Panzer division which fought in North Africa

[@WW2Wayfinder]

That’s right! Reconstituted in Italy

[@ericmailander3361]

I read that the Falschirmjager were the most elite troops.

[@StephenBaird-cp1fc]

@ericmailander3361 They certainly were, but they were never used to their fullest. After Crete Hitler made the mistake of know longer using them in large scale airborne assaults which was a big mistake instead they ended up as Elite infrantry with not many being jump qualified. They were trained well and fought hard, if you knew you were facing Fallschrimjaeger you new you were in for a tough fight.

[@ctid107]

Wow, wonderful video. Your research is impressive, seems this operation is neglected with the focus always on the monastery assault. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@malcolmmoodie6512]

Nice bit of history , thank you

[@Christopherjames-h2r]

i remember reading about this about 47 years ago I think i was about 18 , but it made me cry for some reason . Sleep easy young men .

[@popnmeg]

Excellent research great video history that you never hear of bang on 👍👍👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@jas_1959]

Thanks!

[@andrewfischer8564]

john houston? at the time made a documentary.. it was so bloody it was banned for decades.

[@AlanToon-fy4hg]

It showed dead Americans. That was pretty much verboten during the war...

[@WW2Wayfinder]

From a historical point of view his film is priceless. It was quite the experience to be able to film at the very spot Mr Houston did all those years ago when I visited San Pietro last March.

[@jbellos1]

Sobering history, Jon. No more war, please. Stop the killing.

[@Spartan902]

This sounds as bad, if not worse as the Meat Grinder and Monte Casino. I can only imagine what was going through the minds of those poor men who knew what was coming! 😞😱 Unfortunately certain Generals wanted to make a name for themselves and instead of realising their mistake, they would double down instead! General Hodges did the same at the Meat Grinder. Just doubled down and killed more men unnecessarily. Hemingway wrote that they would of been better of just shooting the men as they came off the trucks. Another great post mate! Cheers 🍻👍

[@paullevins5448]

WW II WE HAD SOME INEPT commanders. CASE IN POINT the Hurtgen Forest. Many of them were partying in Paris with Ernest Hemingway. While their troops were being mauled on a daily basis. Losing at least two divisions in the process. General Gavin went to inspect what was happening, he found hundreds of us soldiers dead and frozen on the battlefield abandoned by there higher ups!!!

[@derickl436]

Clark was a generation too late. His incompetence was more befitting of thirty years previous.

[@thewanderers535]

'The greatest generation' ... a story wonderfully told

[@-.Steven]

2:53 I think it was General Walker who said, "Never bite off more than you can chew, and chew damn well!"

[@mostfriendlygerman]

My grandfather was a machinegunner with the 15th Panzergrenadierdivision. I'm curious what I'll find in his war letters about this episode.

[@deanjericevic8912]

Something one didn't hear about; poorly conceived, executed & an abysmal failure for the US. It does highlight the need for accountability made by the top command generals who plan poorly thought through offensives leaving the assault soldiers to wear the consequences. An interesting & insightful video in its construction; present day video of the location with interspaced archival material & excellent factual information & narration.

[@jas_1959]

Jon, I have said this once before I love getting up on a Sunday miorning grabbing my breakfast and a Red Bull🤣, and watching your stories. I knew of Cassino,but I had no idea that it was an engagement the USA lost.

[@simonrooney7942]

The Germans said if you wanted to invade Italy- start at the top not at the bottom

[@senseofthecommonman]

Never understood why we fought all the way up rather than landing much further up.

[@westpointsnell4167]

We didn't have to fight in Italy ,Churchill talked Roosevelt into going after the soft underbelly of Europe .which was a bad move ,in fact it was so bad that Roosevelt bought it out that we needed to attack northern france since the Russians were pushing the allies to start a second front since the Russians were taking a beating in numbers

[@dougie1943]

@@westpointsnell4167British successes against the Italians in North Africa, the neutralising of the German, Italian and Vichy surface fleets in the Mediterranean and British support for the Greeks fending off an Italian invasion gave Hitler concerns of the weakness of his southern flank. To deal with that he paused Operation Barbarossa to invade Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia, Crete and despatch the Afrika Korps into North Africa. The Italian campaign was the culmination of the defeat of the Axis in that theatre putting Italy out of the war and causing Germany to divert troops from its eastern front and the upcoming Operation Dynamo.

[@leoanto1954]

Video molto interessante, spero che ci siano altri video della seconda guerra mondiale che riguardano il mio paese. Grazie ❤️

[@mihalyszakacs7577]

In my knowledge assistant division commander of 36 th Division brigadier general William Wilbur had a very heated almost angered argument with major general Geoffrey Keyes commander of II Corps about the operation . Sadly it was futile ! About the channel 10 out of 10 !

[@-.Steven]

What beautiful country! Looking at it, it's hard to imagine the tremendous horror of war that took place there. Would that all wars would end, and that nations would coexist in prosperity for all.

[@DGriff-ix5el]

Gen Clark should have been put in the brig. But he was classmate of Ike! Patton told Ike how this would play out and it did! In fact the entire staff should been replaced. Military incompetence 100%

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Absolutely agree. Clark was operating 2/3 levels above his ability but was protected by the system. Sadly something that still occurs today, certainly in the UK military.

[@Blair338RUM]

The Italian campaign was a strategic blunder on Churchill’s part and appalling generalship by Mark Clark.

[@NotTotallyHuman]

Live near Rapido river,in province of Latina. And the battle of cassino was a blood bath.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s a beautiful area! I loved visiting there and seeing Cassini and the Liri Valley. Hard to imagine the devastation that occurred there

[@NotTotallyHuman]

@ Thanks folk! I really like history of my province. Especially Anzio and Nettuno landing,battle of Cisterna. Near my home there is a museum,” piana delle orme”,ehich means plain of footprints precisely because it is located on a plain. And it talks about the reclamation of the plain and the most important battles during the war. I recomend to go!

[@leesherman100]

Another tragedy paid for by brave G.I.s during the fog of war. Sad moments to be sure. May they all Rest In Peace.

[@RupertBear412]

iirc James Holland reported that walker had some 400 armd vehicles, including anti aircraft quad 50s etc that he did not choose to provide covering fire - the bravery of the 36th is unquestionable but there is no doubt the plan was bollox

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The plan was a shambles from Clark down. In my opinion Walker should have gather his Div Staff and explained that he wouldn’t follow the order, and that none of his men should either. Having served I know following orders is the done thing but this today would be bordering on an unlawful order and utterly senseless.

[@gratefulguy4130]

Was he trying to keep them from being destroyed in a hopeless attack? There could be good reasons not to commit those resources.

[@RupertBear412]

@@gratefulguy4130 no he was an idiot!, from the outset Walker did not believe in the attack and as such did nt do all that he could have - those armd vehicles, specifically all of the quad 50s would have given great covering fire for the infantry, not spearhead the attack themselves due to the boggy ground and river

[@firstcitytraveler]

Another outstanding video, Jon. My next book I will be reading is James Holland's Casino 1944. I got it for Christmas and now I look forward to reading it. I look forward to your next video.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Hope this adds some visual context to the book! It’s a beautiful area around there and hard to fathom it was part of such savagery only a few years ago.

[@FiveLiver]

A terrible waste. I didn't know of this battle.

[@maikelvane5185]

Repeating the same actions and expecting another outcome… a quote from someone. Just why.. all those lives.

[@doctoronishispsychosislab1474]

No but close. 3,686 casualties, including about 777 killed at Omaha

[@simonrooney7942]

Mark Clark was not to smart with this operation

[@senseofthecommonman]

Or any of his others

[@malcolmmoodie6512]

Could the American not make use of airpower in those landings

[@WW2Wayfinder]

They had artillery at hand but it took place at night and during the day the lines would have been too confused to use air power without the risk of friendly fire sadly so despite having it on hand, in this particular situation it was rather powerless.

[@markrunnalls7215]

Interesting, although a sad account .. Have watched the World At War series many a time and in particular "tough ol gut " And in so many words you get the perception that Mark Clark should have been made more accountable for actions such as this ..

[@christopher9270]

Clark was an incompetent glory-hound who on more than one occasion uselessly expended the lives of GI's in stupid, pointless attacks.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

How many U.S. troops died during those 2 night attacks?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Sadly it’s hard to say. Due to the large numbers of replacements who arrived the day of the first attack, solid casualty numbers haven’t emerged, from what I’ve been able to find. Lots of accounts state different numbers but all are exceptionally high sadly.

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

Thank you for your reply.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome. Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@gratefulguy4130]

Allies had a habit of hiding anything they fudged up so it's hard to say.

[@ericmailander3361]

@@WW2Wayfinder I have seen various numbers. I wonder how many of those 800 MIA's showed up in different hospitals or just got lost in the confusion? Some drowned in the river and carried downstream. The Germans claimed to have captured 500. I know a great many casualties at Cassino were a result of trench foot, exposure, sickness and combat fatigue. I think there was so much confusion and casualties that it was hard for platoon or company commanders to document who was hit, missing or wounded. As mentioned, figures vary greatly.

[@wildcolonialman]

Fine account of a name only in my knowledge, so now the Rapido will be remembered in detail. NZ losses at Casino were also devastating-343 Men perished. 230 from the 28th Maori Battalion a truly devastating near irreplaceable loss to this Battalion. On per capita basis, men committed in total, NZ losses are the highest. Mud and rivers again... Freyberg the NZ General in charge ordered the bombing of the monastery, and like the Anzio operation-was either actually needed? Such is the Pity of War. 500 New Zealanders buried at Casino.

[@ericmailander3361]

All killed at Cassino? That train station was quite a battle for the Maori's.

[@wildcolonialman]

@@ericmailander3361 Yes, all at Casino. Thank you.

[@CharlesTimothy-en7to]

Clark was the worst sort of general.

[@colinpowis3600]

Its a pity you aren't there in the winter so we'd get a far better understanding of what it was actually like

[@nicktozie6685]

Clark was a clown , should've been dismissed

[@osmanrifat4335]

Had there not been the red army which beat the german one,the western alliés should remain very modest and try not to advertise their sad and patheticness useless actions during that War.

[@davidhannah9206]

🫡🇺🇲🫡🇺🇲🫡🇺🇲🫡🇺🇲🫡🇺🇲🫡

[@417jumps3]

Another Home Fucking Run!! Monte Casino gets all the notoriety for the battle but this operation is largely forgotten. Thanks for sharing this one!!!

[@hyperu2]

That's what you get for being on the wrong side.