Italian campaign timeline

Timeline

A brief outline of the key events of the Italian Campaign, particularly focusing on the involvement of New Zealand.

1943

  • 9 September: Allied landings at Salerno and Taranto, Italy
  • 11 September: Germans occupy Rome
  • 12 September: Germans rescue Mussolini
  • 14 September:
    • Allied landings in Sardinia
    • Heavy fighting at Salerno
  • 23 September: Mussolini re-establishes Fascist government in northern Italy
  • 1 October: Allies enter Naples
  • 3 October: First troops of 2 NZ Division arrive at Taranto, Italy.
  • 13 October: Italy declares war on Germany
  • 16 - 17 October: 4 and 5 NZ Brigades leave Port Tewfik for Italy
  • 22 November: Offensive on the Sangro River by 8 Army begins
  • 1 December: German line on the Sangro River broken
  • 3 - 24 December: 2 NZ Division battles for Orsogna north of Sangro River

1944

  • 13 January: Decision made to move NZ troops from Orsogna across the Italian peninsula to Cassino
  • 17 January:
    • US 5 Army offensive along the Gustav line begins. 2 NZ Division assembling in army's rear.
    • First attack towards Cassino.
  • 22 January: Allied landing at Anzio, behind the German lines at Cassino
  • 3 February: First counter attack by Germans at Anzio
  • 15 - 18 February: Allies bomb the monastery at Monte Cassino
  • 16 February: Second German attack at Anzio
  • 17 February: 28 Maori Battalion crosses the Rapido River south of Cassino and captures railway station. Forced to withdraw the following day as Germans counter attack.
  • 15 March: NZ Corps begins the assault on Cassino town after further Allied bombing. Assault continues until 23 March when they withdraw.
  • 11 - 12 May: Allied forces open new offensive against Gustav line in Italy
  • 15 May: Germans in Italy withdraw to the Adolf Hitler Line
  • 18 May: Polish troops capture Cassino
  • 5 June: Allies enter Rome
  • 17 July: Allies cross the Arno river in Italy
  • 4 August: Allied forces advance into Florence
  • 22 August: Germans retreat to the Gothic Line in Italy
  • 31 August: Eighth Army attacks the Gothic Line
  • 2 September: Eighth Army breaks the Gothic Line. US troops capture Pisa
  • 4 December: Eighth Army enters Ravenna, Italy

1945

  • 1 April: Allied forces begin offensive in northern Italy
  • 28 April:
    • Mussolini executed by partisans
    • Allies take Venice
  • 2 May:
    • 2 NZ Division enters Trieste
    • Germans in Italy surrender

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How to cite this page: 'Italian campaign timeline', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-italian-campaign/timeline, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 20-Dec-2012