Fifth Army lands at Salerno - Sept 10, 1943

[Walt's Daughter]

To commemorate a great D-Day - Fifth Army lands at Salerno - Sept 10, 1943

 

On 3 September the British Eighth Army crossed the Strait in pursuit and drove up the Calabrian Peninsula. Coordinated with the Eighth Army's attack, Allied landings at Salerno by the United States Fifth Army and at Taranto by the British 1 Airborne Division were made on 9 September. In the Salerno landings, strong American forces were fighting on the continent of Europe for the first time since 1918.

[roque_riojas]

To commemorate a great D-Day - Fifth Army lands at Salerno - Sept 10, 1943

 

On 3 September the British Eighth Army crossed the Strait in pursuit and drove up the Calabrian Peninsula. Coordinated with the Eighth Army's attack, Allied landings at Salerno by the United States Fifth Army and at Taranto by the British 1 Airborne Division were made on 9 September. In the Salerno landings, strong American forces were fighting on the continent of Europe for the first time since 1918.

 

I wuz there and I'm still here, thank you LORD

[206thmpco]

We thank God that you are still here too Rocky!

 

I always think of my Dad on this day too.

 

450 ships and 125,000 allied troops took part in "Operation Avalanche".

(My Dad sailed from the port of Oran)

"US rangers hit the beach 20 minutes in advance of the main assault force at 0310. British 10Corps landed under heavy naval bombardment.

The untested men of the 36th infantry division came ashore at 0330 WITHOUT supporting fire...All 6 waves of the 36th Division assault element were ashore by 0610....US Artillery and armor units were delayed coming ashore and disorganized when they arrived. Amid the confusion, many leading assault elements found themselves facing enemy tanks without adequate antiarmor weapons, and only through determination and individual heroism were some American forces able to move inland."

 

"...German counterattacks continued throughout the day, but were repulsed as Fifth Army strengthened it's lodgment. Reinforcements, support troops (my Dad with 206th MP Co landed at 0830), and supplies poured ashore.

By nightfall, British 10 Corps was 3 miles inland... US VI Corps was 5 miles inland...Elements of the U.S. 45th Division were also sent ashore during the night of Sept 9th to reinforce the 36th Division".

 

here's a photo of USS Philadelphia laying a smoke screen to obscure the view of the enemy & provide cover against air attacks before the landing armada gets close to shore on 9/9/43.

 

 

photo of USS Savannah hit by German radio controlled Fritz X bomb. The bomb hit a gun turret and penetrated deep into her hull before exploding 9/11/43

 

 

Remembering all the brave men who were there 66 years ago today.

[roque_riojas]

The 151st Field Artillery of the 34th divn. Backed up the

36th after they landed, The Germans counterattacked but

the 151st went into action. PAGE 316, "D.W.S.T.T.''. They

even fired point blank at the German tanks. It was a

combined assault by the 36th,45th, divns. and the

34th helped.----