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Under '''Operation Olive''', the objective for the British Eighth Army on the Adriatic Coast was to break the German defenses and enter the Po Plains. [[United States Army North|The US Fifth Army]] would then follow up with an attack north of [[Florence]], completing the German defeat.
Under '''Operation Olive''', the objective for the British Eighth Army on the Adriatic Coast was to break the German defenses and enter the Po Plains. [[United States Army North|The US Fifth Army]] would then follow up with an attack north of [[Florence]], completing the German defeat.
The first assault, as well as the following ten, would prove to be futile for the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]]. The final assault brought on by the [[4th Indian Infantry Division]], after heavy bombardment, would prove to be successful in the capture and securement of all German positions in Gemmano.
The first assault, as well as the following ten, would prove to be futile for the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]]. The final assault brought on by the [[4th Indian Infantry Division]], after heavy bombardment, would prove to be successful in the capture and securement of all German positions in Gemmano.

==Casualties==
Casualties from both sides are not well documented, but according to British sources, Germans killed in action were more than 900. Lt.Col.Ernst also estimated more than 2,400 casualties of dead, wounded, and [[Missing in action|MIA]] of his regiment alone. British casualties were immense too: every battalion lost, on average, 100 to 150 men. More than 100 civilians were also killed during the battle.<ref>http://aries46.tripod.com/gemmoliv.htm </ref>



==Poor Conditions==
==Poor Conditions==
Line 85: Line 89:
==Initial Reconnaissance of Gemmano==
==Initial Reconnaissance of Gemmano==
Two days before the first attack on September 4, a British Battalion sent a platoon of 30 men to determine the size and strength of the German defenses. The British made an unfortunate mistake, underestimating the size of the German forces as only one battalion.
Two days before the first attack on September 4, a British Battalion sent a platoon of 30 men to determine the size and strength of the German defenses. The British made an unfortunate mistake, underestimating the size of the German forces as only one battalion.
The actual size of the German force was approximately three battalions or 4,500 men of the 100th Gebirgsjager that were overlooking the allied positions.
The actual size of the German force was approximately three battalions or 4,500 men of the 100th Gebirgsjager that were overlooking the allied positions. The [[Allies of World War II| Allies]] left only one battalion to fight the battle at Gemmano because of their wrong estimation of the German forces.
These battalions also consisted of antiaircraft weaponry, which could also be used as artillery on the advancing allied infantry.
These German battalions consisted of antiaircraft weaponry as well, which could also be used as artillery on the advancing allied infantry.
<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jennings |first1=Christian |title=At War on the Gothic Line: Fighting in Italy, 1944-1945 |date=March 2016 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=9781466871731 |pages=181–182 |edition=First |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8zEoCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA181&dq=gemmano&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj436CPuNrhAhXm01kKHVmAAs8Q6AEIPDAE#v=onepage&q=gemmano&f=false}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jennings |first1=Christian |title=At War on the Gothic Line: Fighting in Italy, 1944-1945 |date=March 2016 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=9781466871731 |pages=181–182 |edition=First |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8zEoCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA181&dq=gemmano&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj436CPuNrhAhXm01kKHVmAAs8Q6AEIPDAE#v=onepage&q=gemmano&f=false}}</ref>


Revision as of 14:33, 2 May 2019

Battle of Gemmano
Part of the Italian Campaign of World War II

Platoon commanders of 7th Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, part of 167th Brigade of 56th (London) Division, plan the attack on the village of Gemmano, 6 September 1944.
Date4–15 September 1944
Location
Gemmano, Italy
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
 Germany

 United Kingdom

Commanders and leaders
Lt-Gen Traugott Herr Lt-Gen Charles Keightley
Strength
German LXXVI Panzer Corps British V Corps
Casualties and losses
1000+[citation needed] at least 500[citation needed]

The Battle of Gemmano took place during World War II, between the dates of September 4th, and September 15th of 1944. The battle occurred in the area of the Gothic Line, near the Apennine Mountains in northern Italy, which would soon turn out to be the last line of defense for the Axis Powers in Italy. The village of Gemmano was eventually captured on September 9th, 1944 by the invading Eighth Army (United Kingdom), but two more subsequent attacks were needed to secure the area surrounding the village of Gemmano. Fighting was so fierce, similar to that of the famous battle of Monte Cassino, that the battle was sometimes referred to as, “ The Cassino of the Adriatic”.

Order of battle

Germany Britain and Empire
191st Regiment
194th Regiment
211th Regiment
117th Regiment
289th Regiment
290th Regiment
85th Regiment
100th Regiment
95th Mountain Artillery
992nd Regiment
993rd Regiment
994th Regiment
278th Rifle Battalion
2nd Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
128th Infantry Brigade
138th Infantry Brigade
139th Infantry Brigade
9th Manchester Regiment
6th Cheshire Regiment
167th Infantry Brigade
168th Infantry Brigade
169th Infantry Brigade
2nd Royal Tank Regiment
8th Royal Tank Regiment
51st Royal Tank Regiment
North Irish Horse
142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps
5th Indian Infantry Brigade
7th Indian Infantry Brigade
11th Indian Infantry Brigade
6th Royal Tank Regiment
12th Royal Lancers

Tactics And Strategy

Under Operation Olive, the objective for the British Eighth Army on the Adriatic Coast was to break the German defenses and enter the Po Plains. The US Fifth Army would then follow up with an attack north of Florence, completing the German defeat. The first assault, as well as the following ten, would prove to be futile for the Allies. The final assault brought on by the 4th Indian Infantry Division, after heavy bombardment, would prove to be successful in the capture and securement of all German positions in Gemmano.

Casualties

Casualties from both sides are not well documented, but according to British sources, Germans killed in action were more than 900. Lt.Col.Ernst also estimated more than 2,400 casualties of dead, wounded, and MIA of his regiment alone. British casualties were immense too: every battalion lost, on average, 100 to 150 men. More than 100 civilians were also killed during the battle.[1]


Poor Conditions

As the numerous attacks on the village of Gemmano took place, heavy rainfall hindered the advance of Allies as well. This heavy rainfall caused roads to crumble, rivers to overflow, and mud to form, all of which made it difficult for movement and transportation. [2]

Initial Reconnaissance of Gemmano

Two days before the first attack on September 4, a British Battalion sent a platoon of 30 men to determine the size and strength of the German defenses. The British made an unfortunate mistake, underestimating the size of the German forces as only one battalion. The actual size of the German force was approximately three battalions or 4,500 men of the 100th Gebirgsjager that were overlooking the allied positions. The Allies left only one battalion to fight the battle at Gemmano because of their wrong estimation of the German forces. These German battalions consisted of antiaircraft weaponry as well, which could also be used as artillery on the advancing allied infantry. [3]

Medals and Awards

The German 100th Mountain Regiment, or Gebirgsjager, under the orders from Lt. Col. Richard Ernst, earned the regiment 6 Ritterkreuz des Eisernes Kreuz for valor demonstrated during the battle of Gemmano as well as acts of bravery in combat far beyond the normal fulfillment of duty.

Ritterkruez awards were given to: Lt. Col. Richard Ernst, Capt. Heinrich Hermann, Capt. Fritz Bachmaier, Ensign August Rappel, Corp. Lorenz Schmied, Lt. Karl Kurz

[4]

References

  1. ^ http://aries46.tripod.com/gemmoliv.htm
  2. ^ Rickard, J. "Battle of Gemmano". History of War. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  3. ^ Jennings, Christian (March 2016). At War on the Gothic Line: Fighting in Italy, 1944-1945 (First ed.). St. Martin's Press. pp. 181–182. ISBN 9781466871731.
  4. ^ Merriam, Ray (2007). Gebirgsjager-Germany's Mountain Troops. Merriam Press. p. 33. ISBN 1576381633.
  • Gerhard Muhm : German Tactics in the Italian Campaign
  • Gerhard Muhm : La Tattica tedesca nella Campagna d'Italia, in Linea Gotica avanposto dei Balcani, (Hrsg.) Amedeo Montemaggi - Edizioni Civitas, Roma 1993


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