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