Operation Shingle
작전 셰이클
Operation Shingle was the Allied amphibious assault on Anzio and Nettuno in Italy, launched on 22 January 1944 to outflank the German Gustav Line and threaten the road to Rome. Centered on the U.S. VI Corps, it initially involved the American 3rd Infantry Division and British 1st Infantry Division, while shortages of landing craft limited the force and complicated the plan to seize the Alban Hills and draw German troops away from Monte Cassino.
In depth
Operation and constraints
The plan was to establish a surprise beachhead at Anzio, seize the Alban Hills, and cut German communications to Rome while the Fifth Army attacked the Gustav Line near Monte Cassino. Allied commanders disagreed over the scale and pace of the advance, and landing ships had to be drawn from preparations for Normandy and southern France. Initially there were enough tank landing ships for only one division; pressure from Churchill secured enough capacity for two divisions. The landing achieved surprise on 22 January, but the delay inland allowed German reinforcements to concentrate, turning the beachhead into a prolonged battle.
Outcome
The Allies broke out in May and entered Rome on 4 June, but the German Tenth Army escaped from Monte Cassino and regrouped farther north.
Related historical events
Sources
- Wikipedia (EN) (supports the operation's date, landing sites, objectives, forces, naming, and landing-ship constraint)
- history.navy.mil (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, supports the plan, two-division force, landing-craft constraints, logistics, and outcome)