The Italian campaign

By: Kevin Kerper

La Campagna D’Italia

Overview

• The Italian campaign was designed to take out one of Germany’s major ally's. By taking out Italy the German forces were spread out because they had another front to fight on.

• The attacks started in Sicily and traveled up the peninsula of Italy.

Who

• This event was a struggle between the Allies and the troops stationed in Italy by Hitler and Mussolini.

• The Allied forces included the British, Canadian and U.S. forces.

• The Axis powers lost 50,000 troops wail the Allie's lost 60,000 troops.

What

• The Italian campaign was a campaign against Italy.

When

• This campaign took place between September, 3, 1943 and 2 May 1945 when the German forces in Italy surrendered.

where

• The Italian campaign was in Italy and Sicily

• The Italian campaign was designed to distract Mussolini from helping Germany and creating a new front because the other two where in a stalemate.

Why

The Gustav Line was one of the major fortifications made by the Germans. It was also known as the Winter Line because of all the mountains it

went through.

The Gothic Line was one of the last strong fortified lines the Germans had. This was also known as the Green Line because General Kesselring of the Germans wanted a less impressive name if the Ally's broke through.

The U.S vs. the British

• The U.S. troops were trained for land based warfare.

• Since America never became an imperialist country, they never needed a strong navy but had to have a strong land army.

• The British troops were trained for naval warfare.

• This is because their navy had to be strong to be an imperialist country, they already had a strong navy.

A few interesting pictures

This scene shows the Canadian army going through streets in Italy.

This scene shows the U.S. 92nd division launching a bazooka at a machine gun nest.

This scene shows the British getting ready for a ground assault on Italy.

Review Questions

• How long did the Italian campaign last?

• What was the goal of the Italian Campaign?

• Why did the British favor a naval based attack?

• Why did the U.S. favor a land based attack?

Works cited

• Werner-Lapansky, Emma J., Peter B. Levy, Randy Roberts and Allen Taylor. United States History: Reconstruction of the President. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2008. Print.

• Wallace, Robert. The Italian Campaign. Morristown New Jersey. Print.

• Italy, http://www.worldwar2history.info/Italy/, March 30 2010

• Battle of Rimini, http://www.gothicline.org/inglese/offensiva/offensiva.htm,

March, 30, 2010