Ref.: DRAG-6741
Italian Paratroopers Anzio 1944
Operation Shingle was the Allied amphibious landing near Anzio on the Italian coast on January 22 1944. Its purpose was to bypass the heavily defended Winter Line and enable an attack on Rome. The landings came as a complete surprise to German forces but the Allied commander failed to capitalize, and thus the landing force was essentially besieged in its beachhead surrounded by hills until May. A little-known fact is that Paracadutisti (Italian paratroops) fought there alongside German forces. These troops were from the 184th Airborne Division “Nembo”. This division had been formed in December 1942, and many members continued to fight alongside Germany even after the Italian surrender. A battalion fought alongside the German 4th Fallschirmjager Division at Anzio. The defenders did well, causing 43,000 casualties among the attacking Allies.