by Pier Paolo Battistelli.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 96 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: The Allied Advance In Central Italy
The drive northward past Rome saw some hard fighting at times, but the German fighting withdrawal to a series of defensive lines was more pursuit than slugfest. An abundance of place names marked the advance and the maps help give a sense of the territory gained.
On the western side of France, D-Day was in full swing. That drew off German troops. In addition, the Allies withdrew roughly half the troops for the invasion of Southern France. Bridge demolitions slowed the Allied advance. Florence, by the way, was declared an open city and only bridges and their approaches were damaged.
In the analysis, the Allies come in for criticism for switching the line of attack and advance, ostensibly missing an opportunity to blow through the German line at Valmontone and potentially pocketing a German corp. In addition, three mountain-trained Indian divisions were not used, even though mountain warfare raged in the central spine of Italy. Finally, an amphibious invasion of Elbe Island might have been better used as a tactical leap behind a German flank.
The booklet contains 78 black and white photos, eight color photos, six color maps, three color two-page action illustrations, and three color 3D maps. The booklet also contains good OOBs for May, June, and July down to the regiment level.
Using the Elbe operation as a tactical outflanking attack has a nice what-if flavor to go along with fighting withdrawal scenarios. It’s a nice read on the continued Allied advance up the peninsula.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
