Italian Campaign
Timeline
A brief outline of the key events of the Italian Campaign, particularly focusing
on the involvement of New Zealand. Adapted from the Second
World War timeline.
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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