ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES, AND STRATEGIES OF THE ALLIES
Map showing where the Invasion of Italy occurred (US Army Center of Military History)
The location of Italy was a great advantage. Italy was right on the border of Germany so it created a barrier allowing Allies to enter Germany from Italy.
The agreement between the Allies and Pietro Badoglio was also a great advantage. The agreement made Italian forces neutral making the Germans the only resistance force to fight against the Allies. Sicily was already conquered and was a great achievement for the Allies being that Sicily was the next step to invading Italy.
Germany had Italy very well secured making it difficult for the Allies to enter certain areas like the Rapido River. This proved to be a big disadvantage because the German defenses were a lot more secure than the Allies initially expected. The Germans also had very strong defensive lines which had the Allies having to come up with very unique strategies.
The agreement between the Allies and Pietro Badoglio was also a great advantage. The agreement made Italian forces neutral making the Germans the only resistance force to fight against the Allies. Sicily was already conquered and was a great achievement for the Allies being that Sicily was the next step to invading Italy.
Germany had Italy very well secured making it difficult for the Allies to enter certain areas like the Rapido River. This proved to be a big disadvantage because the German defenses were a lot more secure than the Allies initially expected. The Germans also had very strong defensive lines which had the Allies having to come up with very unique strategies.
Strategies
Allies were first undecided what they planned on doing after the defeat of the Axis in North Africa. Winston churchill insisted on invading Italy, or as he called them, "the underbelly of the axis" (Isseman, Maurice). Churchill stated that invading Italy would result in a fall of Mussolini and give then an easy route to attack Germany. Invading Italy would also ensure that Britain would be in control of the Mediterranean rather than the Russians at the end of the war. Churchill also believed that invading Italy would be a quicker way to win with less Italian casualties.
When trying to break the Gustav line, the Americans had cross the Rapido River, but the Germans, armed, were on both sides of river. The U.S. 36th Division was to cross the river. Major General Fred Walker, commander of the 36th Division, wrote in his diary, " We might succeed, but I do not see how we can" (Isserman, Maurice)). Walker was right. The Americans failed and more than 1,600 men died. Another attack by the 34th Division had to take place to finally gain a foothold on the north side of the Rapido. 2,200 men were still lost during that attack.
When trying to break the Gustav line, the Americans had cross the Rapido River, but the Germans, armed, were on both sides of river. The U.S. 36th Division was to cross the river. Major General Fred Walker, commander of the 36th Division, wrote in his diary, " We might succeed, but I do not see how we can" (Isserman, Maurice)). Walker was right. The Americans failed and more than 1,600 men died. Another attack by the 34th Division had to take place to finally gain a foothold on the north side of the Rapido. 2,200 men were still lost during that attack.