Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
in T S I C I I A N as C A IMF P A I G N
compiled from G-3 Journal for period July 10, 1943 - Aug 22, 1943.
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The division landed beginning at 0425 on beaches shown on Map No 1, under supporting Naval gunfire.
Zones of advance and objectives as shown opposite. 157TH RCT Landed on beaches Green 2 and Yellow 2, light opposition; advanced inland. captured S CRUCE, CAMERINA at 1445. against
COMISO to positions shown on Map No 1. 179TH RCT Landed on beaches Yel'low and Green, captured SCOGLITTI at 1400, positions west of VITTORIA, 1st Battalion
Landings scattered from GELA to points three miles north of Red beach. Elements were assembled late in 115.
Commanding General and G-2, G-3 and G-4 landed on beach Green at 0830. CP established at 367159.
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1st Battalion captured RAGJUSA at 0815B and the 3rd Battalion captured COMISO at 1015B and assisted the 179th Inf in the capture of COMISO airfield. the action at COMNISO, In.
out, our tanks received fire from 88mm guns. 192T-H INF Moved on COMISO airfield with two battalions abreast from VITTORIA, capturing the airfield at 1610B assisted by the 157th Inf. 180TH INF Met stiff resistance by elements of Herman Goering Tank Division and infantry elements and were unable to advance until late afternoon, when Highway 115 -was crossed. Positions northeast of the highway were held
at end of day. Division Artillery supported the infantry advance. 171st Field Artillery Battalion received batterv fire without damape. 40th Engineer Regiment set up main beaches and dumps around SCOGLITTI. 19th Engineers began clearing COTMLISO airfield. Map No 2 shows moverent during the day and positions held at 2400B July 11,
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2nd Battalion
positions north of CHIARMONTE-BISCARI road. During the morning the airport and regimental CP were strafed. Contact was made with elements of the 1st Canadian in RAGUSA at 1145. 179TH INFANTRY Enemy strong point developed south of BISCARI-CHIARMONTE
road. 2nd Battalion reported surrounded at 1715B, but was out
of trouble by 1755. 180TH INFANTRY Enemy resistance reported to have collapsed in zone of One
180th and the regiment advanced into BISCARI at 2000. M VI tank knocked out in BISCARI.
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JULY 13, . -----. ... i 1943
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Map No 4
157TH INFANTRY Advanced from vicinity of CHIARMONTE to oositions south and west of VIZZINI against light resistance. 179TH INFANTRY Continued advance in direction GRAMAIICHILE to positions shown on Map No 4. 180TH INFANTRY Advance on BISCARI delayed by blown bridge on ACATE River. 00OOTH CA BN (AA) (AW) Shot down two JU-87 airplanes attempting to land on COMISO airport. CO B, 753RD TANK BN Supported advance of 180th Infantry. 753RD TANK BN (MINUS CO B) In assembly area ,in zone of 179th Infantry prepared to meet possible attack of reported enemy armored concentration.
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157TH INFANTRY Reached line yellow prepared to organize defensive position. II Corps ordered 45th Division to hold line Two British Armored
Divisions to mtake attack direction VIZZINI - CALTAGIORONE. Contact made with British below--VIZjINI at 0900. Coordinated attack planned for 1200. 157th Inf received heavy artillery fire from direction GRAMMACHILE during night July 13-14.
79NTT IN ANTRY
Continued advance against strong mechanized defense to oosition two miles south Highway 124. positions.
180TTI INFANTTRY
Organized-
Moved to positions under Qover of darkness for daylight attack on BISCARI airport. Airport was taken at 0630, complete surprise was obtained butstubborn handCounter-attack was driven to-hand resistance was met. off by fire of Heavy Weapons Company. to positions shown on Map No 5. Attack continued
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3rd Bn,
plat Qer-
man counterattack at .0550, July 14 from North against "Kt Co with flanking movement to our right supported by Mark
fixed bayonets supp orted bv plat of Cn Co forced enemy withdrawal to NE and N. "Ko Co successfully resisted
counterattack and enemy failed to penetrate position. Durir:ng action 1 Mark IV knocked out by rifle eprenade 1 4.2 phospherous she.l.l hit in open turr:et p and destroyed crew. IV bark tanl-
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Organized
Britslh took VIZZ1NI at 0600, tnd entered GRAIMJACHILE at 1200. At 1522 the CT wa al1erted to move to area
Advartnod to rnoitions, soujth CALTAGIROTTE. 'B3ttnliorn eornipel by three enemy tanks. durine morrinr,. rniles fromr
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157th RCT and 189th F'A 3ri startl.nr and 180th CTs held pre--ent
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by British passingr
Inf to attack at 0400 17 July. north of PIETRAPERZIA, FA Bns and with Co 2nd supported
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JULY 17,
1943
Map No 8
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Advanced to vicinity PIETRAPER.IA without meetin-g resistance. Advanpe delayed by blown bridge at point
Organized position 800 yards north
shown on Map No 8.
157th Inf to continue the attack during the hours of darkness, seize high ground north of CALTANISSETTA and
to continue to S. CATERINA if
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July.19. 1943
Ma No 10
7th INF '15, Advance wai held up North of S. CATERINA by enemy tanks and artillery fire.
179th lINF In assembly area S of CALTANISSETTA, one rifle platoon sent to S. CATALDO to guard large Italian QM Warehouse. 180th INF Moved by motors to ass-embly area S of S CATERINA, passed thru 157th Inf. Attack jumped off at 2000B a-
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July 20, 1943 -....--Ma p No 11
179th INF -Moved by motors night of 20-21 July to assembly area 9496. 180th IHiF Atk in column of Bns against light Arty fire, reach-
defensive position along line 9295 1 90mm gun and 1 light Tk. secure
Captured 15 prisoners,
Regt was ordered to continue atk to W prior to 1700B, RJ 7901. DIV CP Moved from CALTANISSETTA, 1725B.
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1943
No 12
l57th INTF Moved by marching to assembly area SE VALLELUNGA beginning at 1200B. 179th INF Moved by marching to position E of VALLELUNGA behind 180th Inf. 18Oth INF. Continued attack during night July 20-21, seized obj RJ 8002 at 0440B, organized position. In the attack Moved on CALTAVUTURO beginning at dark.
captured 12 Light Tanks, knocked out 2, captured 60 pr'soners, including 1 Col, 2 Majs, 4 Capts, all Italian. Also destroyed 11 Scout Cars. Atk continued at dark with
objectives ALIA and ROCCAPALUMBA, one company seized VALLED OLMO. DIV CP Moved to 0082 opening at 1530B.
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157th INF
At 1800B commenced movement by motors and marching to cut coastal highway at junction with Hwy 120. 179th INF
Moving on CALTAVUTURO against' light opposition, captured that town 180th INF t 1600B.
Captured ROCCAPALUBA at 0510B, 7 locomotives, 35 cars in RR yard. skirts of PALERo. Patrols sent N on Hwy 121 reached outat 1500B T0 without resistance. Patrols
made contact with 15;'th Inf at LERCARA. soldiers in VILLAFRATI. coastal Hwy during night.
Captured 87 Italian
July 23,
1943
fap No 14
!57th
INF
Movement commenced at 1800B July 22, 179th Inf continued adv at 0735B,
passed thru
down by small arms fire approximately 4 miles N of CERDA. After preparation by artillery, was cut at 0900B. atk continued, Hwy 113
1st Bn moving
W on TERMINI IMERSE.
elements of 2nd Bn were crossing. MG and 37mm fire near CAMPOFELICE. 179th INF
Moved on CAMPOFELICE via CALTAVUTURO - SCILIATA COLLESANO. Contact was made at COLLESANO at 1703B.
Plat of Co B 120 Engrs working on bridge at 926190 came under small arms & mortar fire. 180th INF Marched at daybreak on MONTEMAGGIORE via ALIA. 1500B was ordered to resume adv to be in position vic CERDA by daylight July 24. Co C 120th Engr Bn cleared At
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157th INF Continued atk E on coastal hwy No 113 from CAMPOFELICE to position overlooking blown bridge at C0636. CASTLEBUNO station. Delayed by
responsible for beach security. 179th INF Advanced on CASTLEBU0ONO. at 2240B. 180th INF Moved by motor to detrucking point vic of CEFALU passed through 157th Inf at dark. beach defense. DIV CP Opened W of CEFALU at 1530B. of shore were reported at 1940B. Unidentified ships 1st Bn held at 9434 for Co L occupied CASTLEBUQNO
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157TH INFANTRY- -
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Passed through by 2nd Battalion, BUONO Station during night. CASTEL BTUONO.
179TH INFANTRY
.ated reconnaissance. in direction of S JIAUTRO. with 1st Division south of CASTEL BUONO. 180TH INFANTRY 2nrd Battalion passed
157TH INFANTRY 1st Battalion responsible for beach defense from TFERMINI IMERSE! east to GRANDE IMERA River. of responsibility at 1500B. assembly area east of CEFALU, -179th Inf north of CASTELBUONO.
179TH INFANTRY
Was relieved
Made reconnaissance
One
one company
640 was found to be unoccupied at 2030, attack on TUSA jumiped off at 2200.
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JULY 27,
1943
Map No 18
157TH INFANTRY Ordered to relieve 180th Inf during night. Movement of 2nd battalion started 1600. to move to rear of 2nd battalion. close on 2nd battalion by marching. 179TH INFANTRY Remainder of 3rd battalion infiltrated to S. MAURO
area via CASTELBUONO Station - Highway 113 - S. MkURO.
1st battalion-
3rd battalion to
Initiated reconnaissance in force from S. MAURO to CASTEL D. LUCIO. 180TH INFANTRY 3rd battalion patrols entered TUSA at 0600, main body moved to east of TUSA at 1500. passed through 2nd battalion. bridge at 1250. reported blown. 1st battalion
At 1640 bridge over TUSA River was Enemy holding high ground east of Aoproaches
river drove our forces back across river. to bridge were mined.
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See Map No 19 157th Inf - Passage of 157 through 180th Inf delayed by landslide at 1336 about 0100. blasted cliff in at 0530. Road was blocked when Engineers Slide was cleared 1st Bn
passed through 1st Bn 180th Inf at 1745. were on ridge East of Tusa River.
Leading elements
An enemy counter-attack
country to CASTEL di LUCIO. 180th Inf - Relieved by 157th- Inf. Assumed resoonsibility
for security of beaches and communications from. CEFALIT to rear of 157th Inf. Div CP moved to point 1 mile South CASTELBUONO STATION.
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JULY 28
1943
Mat No 20
157TH INFANTRY During night July 28-29, 1st battalion held part During the
night they were subjected to intense artillery and small arms fire. 2nd battalion in PEITINEO came under At 2000
were reported moving forward against no resistance. 3rd battalion moved down to road east of TUSA River and advanced up ridge on MOTTA from northeast. The attack
against heavy automatic weapons fire reached positions short of crest of ridge at. dark. 179TH INFANTRY 1st battalion moved into S. MAURO. remained in CASTELBUONO. CASTEL di LUCIO. ISOTH INFANTRY No change. 2nd battalion
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1943
Map No 21
157TH INFANTRY. 1st and 3rd battalions mopped up ridge occupied night 29-30. At 0620, 1st battalion moved south aloQng
ridge to coordinate move on MOTTA with 3rd battalion. 1st battalion received no enemy fire during the morning. 3rd battalion reported some snipers. Patrol entered 2nd battalion
One platoon
2nd battalion was in REITANO at 2000 found town unoccupied,. 179TH INFANTRY Co K passed through MISTRETTA at 1705, position north of town. oMSTRETTA area at 2000. took up
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JULY 31,
1943
Map No 22
157TH INPANTRY 2nd battalion 1000 yards south S.'STEPHANO at 0800, in the town at 1425. south S. STEPT-TANO at 1425, 3rd battalion 4 miles Many anti-personnel mines -Reginlent was relieved
3rd battalion north and 2nd battalion south of MISTRETTA. 1st battalion in S. MAURO. Ordered to
move to bivouac in area west of CEFALU beginning morning August 1st, 180TH INFANTRY Moved by truck to bivouac in vicinity CAMPOFELICE, completed movement at approximately 2000.
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AUGUST T1 Ma No 2
1993 3
157TH INFANTRY In beaches, bivouac west of TERMINI IMERESE patrolling guarding comrrunications in zone TI.RMTITY
zone CAMPFELICE -
C EFALU.
180TH INFANTRY. In bivouac vicinity CAMPOFELICE. Responsibility
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and was responsible for the security of communicaCorps rear within the zone shown on the
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AUGUST 6,
1943
area vioinity Of cAEOA and assumed security responsibility of: zone S S EANO--CARONA, both exclusive. The 179th zone of -re-
include S STEFANO.
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AUGUST 7,
1943 1920
:Batata li on 179thInfantry
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No change.
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i80th Infantry moved to bivouac east of S AGATA9, et.dCtA zone of responsibility to approximately 65th grid, moved to C06Q6443 east of S AGATA. Divtsion OP
AUGUST
5, 1923
157th Combat Team reinforced passed to control of Commanding General, Seventh Army, on embarkation at TER&MINI IMERSSE for
an amphibious operation to cut Coastal Road east of CAPE ORIANDO.
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AUGUBT 20 AD 2, 143
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