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The Allied front in northwestern Tuscany, as of December 1944, consisted of a line that extended from Forte dei Marmi to the Barga Valley. During this time, the U.S. 92nd Infantry Division, an all–African American unit with little combat experience, occupied the region. The German Wehrmacht and the National Republican Army (an Italian nationalist militia) attempted to exploit the perceived weakness of the 92nd through a coordinated final offensive on the Italian front known as “Operation Wintergewitter” between December 26–28, 1944. Their initial success allowed them to break into the Barga Valley and defeat elements of the 92nd Infantry Division. However, before long, they were halted by the entry of the 8th Indian Infantry Division. Shortly afterwards, Italo-German troops were forced to retreat from territory they had occupied for only a short time, although they captured over 200 prisoners of war and took possession of various weapons and equipment while doing so.<ref>{{Cita web|url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/operation_fourth_term.html|titolo=Operation Fourth Term}}</ref> |
The Allied front in northwestern Tuscany, as of December 1944, consisted of a line that extended from Forte dei Marmi to the Barga Valley. During this time, the U.S. 92nd Infantry Division, an all–African American unit with little combat experience, occupied the region. The German Wehrmacht and the National Republican Army (an Italian nationalist militia) attempted to exploit the perceived weakness of the 92nd through a coordinated final offensive on the Italian front known as “Operation Wintergewitter” between December 26–28, 1944. Their initial success allowed them to break into the Barga Valley and defeat elements of the 92nd Infantry Division. However, before long, they were halted by the entry of the 8th Indian Infantry Division. Shortly afterwards, Italo-German troops were forced to retreat from territory they had occupied for only a short time, although they captured over 200 prisoners of war and took possession of various weapons and equipment while doing so.<ref>{{Cita web|url=http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/operation_fourth_term.html|titolo=Operation Fourth Term}}</ref> |
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===Planning the Offensive=== |
===Planning the Offensive=== |
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After the Axis offensive , Willis D. Crittenberger was appointed commander of the U.S. Fifth Army to plan an attack to capture Garfagnana , a central position in the Upper Serchio Valley , and the naval base at La Spezia . The offensive would be the major offensive of the U.S. Army ‘s 92nd Infantry Division and was planned in two phases. In the first, two infantry regiments launched diversionary attacks in the Serchio Valley. Their objective was to draw enemy reserves from the coastal areas and clear defenses overlooking a major German supply and communications center, then cross the coast and the town of Seravezza , attempting to capture the hills overlooking the coastal corridor and the approaches to the town of Massa. If the 92nd Infantry Division succeeded in capturing those hills, it would control the coastal roads to Massa, bringing the division’s artillery within range of La Spezia. |
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==Operation== |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 08:16, 21 December 2025
Prelude
The Allied front in northwestern Tuscany, as of December 1944, consisted of a line that extended from Forte dei Marmi to the Barga Valley. During this time, the U.S. 92nd Infantry Division, an all–African American unit with little combat experience, occupied the region. The German Wehrmacht and the National Republican Army (an Italian nationalist militia) attempted to exploit the perceived weakness of the 92nd through a coordinated final offensive on the Italian front known as “Operation Wintergewitter” between December 26–28, 1944. Their initial success allowed them to break into the Barga Valley and defeat elements of the 92nd Infantry Division. However, before long, they were halted by the entry of the 8th Indian Infantry Division. Shortly afterwards, Italo-German troops were forced to retreat from territory they had occupied for only a short time, although they captured over 200 prisoners of war and took possession of various weapons and equipment while doing so.[1]
Planning the Offensive
After the Axis offensive , Willis D. Crittenberger was appointed commander of the U.S. Fifth Army to plan an attack to capture Garfagnana , a central position in the Upper Serchio Valley , and the naval base at La Spezia . The offensive would be the major offensive of the U.S. Army ‘s 92nd Infantry Division and was planned in two phases. In the first, two infantry regiments launched diversionary attacks in the Serchio Valley. Their objective was to draw enemy reserves from the coastal areas and clear defenses overlooking a major German supply and communications center, then cross the coast and the town of Seravezza , attempting to capture the hills overlooking the coastal corridor and the approaches to the town of Massa. If the 92nd Infantry Division succeeded in capturing those hills, it would control the coastal roads to Massa, bringing the division’s artillery within range of La Spezia.
Operation
References
