The Moro River Campaign

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Moro River Campaign
Part of Italian Campaign (World War II)
Date December 1943 Location Moro River, Eastern Italy Result Allied Victory
Belligerents
Canada	Nazi Germany
Commanders
Chris Vokes
Strength
1 Infantry Division 1 Armoured Brigade	1 Parachute Division 1 Panzergrenadier Division
Casualties and losses
2,339 killed, wounded, & captured[1]

v • d • e The Winter Line and the battle for Rome Bernhardt Line – Monte la Difensa – San Pietro – Moro – Ortona – Monte Cassino – Anzio – Cisterna

The Moro River Campaign was a campaign fought by the First Canadian Infantry Division along the Moro River in eastern Italy in December 1943. The Campaign was part of the British Eighth Army's drive to reach and breach the eastern part of the German Winter Line defensive system, a series of prepared defensive lines where the Germans skilfully employed the Italian terrain which naturally favoured defense. The campaign lasted throughout December, 1943, and was characterized by nearly-continual combat operations by both sides, attempting to keep one another pinned down. The offensive culminated in the intense fighting of the Battle of Ortona, dubbed "Little Stalingrad" by both sides.

Contents 1 Background 2 Crossing the Moro 2.1 Villa Rogatti 2.2 San Leonardo 2.3 San Donato 2.4 Taking the Moro 3 The Gully 3.1 Initial Attacks 3.2 Casa Berardi 3.3 Taking The Gully 4 Ortona 5 See also 6 References 7 Notes

[edit] Background

In late 1943 Allied armies were fighting their way northward in Italy against determined opposition from German forces which had prepared a succession of defensive lines. East of the Apennine Mountain spine was the British Eighth Army under General Bernard Montgomery. Delayed by bad weather, he had launched in late November an attack against the the defensive positions on the high ground north of the Sangro River. The main attack had been carried out by V Corps, comprising 78th Infantry Division and Indian 8th Infantry Division with supporting and diversionary attacks further inland by 2nd New Zealand Division and XIII Corps. After several days of hard fighting the Germans withdrew to the defenses they had prepared on the high ground to the north of the Moro river.^[2]

The Moro River runs from the central mountain spine of Italy hitting the Adriatic coast south of Ortona. The defenses on the Moro were a centerpiece of the Winter Line, which to the east of the Apennines guarded the way to Pescara from where Route 5 traversed the country to Rome on the west coast. Montgomery hoped to punch through the Winter Line, capture Ortona and Pescara and advance to Rome. 78th Division, which had been spearheading V Corps since the Volturno Line actions and had sustained over 7,000 casualties in less than six months,^[3] was relieved by the fresh 1st Canadian Infantry Division ready to renew the offensive on 5 December 1943.^[4]

Montgomery's plan was for the Canadian Division to attack across the Moro to take first Ortona and then Pescara. Inland, in the jagged hills above the headwaters of the Moro, the relatively fresh 2nd New Zealand Division would attack towards Orsogna while between these two 8th Indian Infantry Division would hold the center of the front in a relatively static role.^[3]

[edit] Crossing the Moro

Beginning on December 6, 1943, Canadian forces began a series of large-scale assaults on major crossing-points along the Moro River, with the objective of securing a large bridgehead along the defensive line.^[5] Three primary points of attack were chosen: Villa Rogatti, along the western edge of the Canadian sector;^[5] San Leonardo, 5km south of Ortona; & San Donato, a small town near the Italian coast. Five primary infantry battalions were selected to assault these positions, with the hope of crossing the Moro River. The offensives were scheduled to start on the morning of December 6.

[edit] Villa Rogatti

The task of taking Villa Rogatti, the westernmost crossing point, was given to the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Having conducted significant reconnaissance on their objective during the night of December 5, 1943,^[6] As a result, a thorough attack plan had been devised by the battalion's commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron Bethel Ware, detailing the objectives of all four rifle-companies.^[6] Once the objectives had been secured by the early morning of December 6, Anglo-Canadian reinforcements were to be moved into Villa Rogatti, with the intention of repulsing potentially strong German counterattacks.^[7]

At midnight on the night of December 5 — 6, two companies of the PPCLI crossed the Moro River, moving towards Villa Rogatti.^[8] Within an hour, vicious fighting had erupted throughout Villa Rogatti, as the two companies of Canadian infantry struggled to break the German defensive lines.^[9] As B-Company broke through the German defenses, A-Company moved through the northeastern areas of the town, continuing to eliminate German resistance.^[9]

Although two Infantry Companies had occupied Villa Rogatti, German Panzergrenadier forces still had substantial defenses outside of the town. However, C-Company continued to steadily advance along the eastern side of the town, encountering significant German resistance throughout.^[10]. After approximately an hour of fighting by C-Company & D-Company, Villa Rogatti had been occupied by Canadian forces shortly before dawn.^[11]

By mid-morning, German counterattacks on PPCLI positions in the town had begun, involving tanks, field guns, & substantial infantry forces.^[11] Throughout the afternoon, two infantry companies of the PPCLI fought off several attacks by German forces, eventually managing to push them back to the vineyards on the northern edge of the town.^[12] Shortly after, Panzergrenadier forces retreated from the town entirely, while the PPCLI had taken 68 casualties, while German casualties were estimated at 120.^[13] However, German forces now surrounded their positions at Villa Rogatti, rendering further exploitation of the bridgehead difficult. Colonel Ware was advised to be ready to withdraw across the Moro River, should German forces counterattack.^[13] In order to allow the Canadian Division a greater concentration of force, on the night of December 7/8, Indian 21st Infantry Brigade from Indian 8th Infantry Division took over the left hand end of the Canadian front^[14] in Villa Rogatti.^[15] It was not intended for the Indian Brigade to enter the battle but to demonstrate and employ deception to draw reserves from the Canadian and New Zealand fronts.^[3] As a result of the withdrawal, Canadian efforts would focus on achieving a bridgehead at San Leonardo.

[edit] San Leonardo

The Canadian attack on San Leonardo, primarily initiated by the Seaforth Highlanders, had begun late on December 5, 1943, with 'A' Company establishing a small bridgehead across the Moro, despite taking heavy casualties. In the early morning of December 6, 'A' Company was withdrawn, & two additional Seaforth Companies resumed the offensive. As the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry secured & held their bridgehead over the Moro River, the Seaforth Highlanders were struggling to enter San Leonardo throughout the morning.^[16] By 0715, B Company had achieved its objective on the left flank of the town, but were taking significant German machine-gun fire. At the same time, small arms fire prevented C Company from moving up the road from the Moro to San Leonardo, while 'D' Company remained on the southern banks of the Moro throughout the early-morning.^[16] Had a significant crossing point been available, British & Canadian tank forces could have quickly reinforced the Seaforth Highlanders' positions in San Leonardo. However, no such crossing point was located.^[17] By noon, however, Colonel Doug Forin had devised an attack plan for taking the remainder of San Leonardo. B Company would move southeast, diverting pressure from C Company. Simultaneously, A Company & D Company would cross the Moro, linking up with C Company, at which point a solid drive for San Leonardo would be initiated.^[18]

By 1340hrs, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade had initiated an artillery barrage against German positions near San Leonardo, while the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment sent two companies to the aid of the Seaforth Highlanders, while Seaforth B Company hit multiple German positions west of San Leonardo, inflicting 129 casualties on German forces in the area.^[18] However, the attack on San Leonardo by three Seaforth Companies stalled rapidly, as German tanks moved into the area.^[19] As a result, Forin was ordered to prepare for a withdrawal from the San Leonardo Bridgehead.

[edit] San Donato

As attempts were made to cross the Moro at San Leonardo & Villa Rogatti, the The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment attacked the Moro River defenses at the small coastal hamlet of San Donato, with the attack beginning at 1340 on December 6.^[20][21] Initially, a single rifle company was thrown against German defenses on the Moro River, yet made little territorial gain. Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy ordered a withdrawal by both companies at 1540.^[20] Attempts to exploit the position throughout the day, including assaults by tanks & artillery, failed to take San Donato. By nightfall, two companies had a tenuous hold on the northern bank of the Moro River.^[20]

[edit] Taking the Moro

On December 8, 1943, Major General Vokes devised a new plan for taking the Moro River. While the 48th Highlanders of Canada & the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry resumed the assault on San Leonardo from the southwest side of the town, the Royal Canadian Regiment would break out of the bridgehead created by the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, then move southwest towards San Leonardo, linking up with the 48th & PPCLI to take the Moro River.^[22] The operation was schedules to start on the afternoon of December 8.

The attack on the Moro River began with a massive artillery barrage, which pounded German positions continuously for two hours.^[23] At 1600, the Saskatoon Light Infantry support battalion joined in, hitting German positions with severe bursts of machine gun fire.^[23] The moment the heavy bombardment lifted, the 48th Highlanders & the RCR both initiated their attacks on the Moro River. D Company of the 48th Highlanders was able to quickly cross the Moro, taking minimal casualties. However, B Company was subjected to heavy fire from German Mortar & 88mm field gun positions.^[24] Eventually, however, both companies managed to establish strong positions on the western ridge overlooking San Leonardo.^[24] During the night of December 8/9, units of the Royal Canadian Engineers constructed a bridge for use in crossing the Moro, to allow armour & equipment to move into San Leonardo the following day.^[22]

With both the Canadian and New Zealand Divisions finding progress difficult, it was decided to bring Indian 21st Infantry Brigade into the attack with orders to seize Caldari. With no river crossing available, the Indian engineers rushed to build a bridge which was completed on 9 December and allowed infantry and supporting armour to cross to expand the bridgehead on the far bank. The bridge was named the "Impossible Bridge" because the local geography required for it to be built backwards from the enemy bank of the river.^[14]

As the 48th Highlanders secured their positions west of San Leonardo, the Royal Canadian Regiment was involved in vicious fighting southwest of San Donato. Two companies had advanced against strong & well prepared German defenses of the 200th Panzergrenadier Regiment.^[25] A Company was quickly tied down by German mortar fire, while B Company flanked German positions to the north of San Donato. By nightfall, all four companies held tenuous positions in the thick of German defenses. Throughout the night of December 8/9, the RCR was subjected to vicious counterattacks by the 200th Panzergrenadier Regiment, while Canadian Artillery continuously shelled German positions around the RCR.^[22]

By morning of 9 December, the RCE had managed to construct a bridge across the Moro River, enabling the Calgary Tanks to transport two companies of Seaforth Highlanders across the river & into San Leonardo.^[26] By mid morning, San Leonardo had been cleared of German defenders, although strong positions still existed outside of the town. Within an hour, the Royal Canadian Regiment had broken through German positions near Sterlen Castle, & two companies had linked up with the 48th Highlanders & Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry within San Leonardo, finally establishing firm Canadian positions across the Moro River.^[22] Near the end of December 9, 1943, German forces of the 90th Panzergrenadier Division fell back to their second defensive line; a formidable obstacle known as "The Gully".^[27]

[edit] The Gully

[edit] Initial Attacks

Following the loss of San Leonardo & the Moro River, the 90th Panzergrenadier Division retreated to a primary defensive line 8km north of San Leonardo. The line centred around a natural ravine known as "The Gully", with an average depth of 200 feet.^[28] General Vokes' initial plan to take the position (as well as achieve a foothold on the roads towards Ortona) consisted of a frontal assault by the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, which would seize Vino Ridge, capture The Gully, & gain positions on th Ortona–Orsogna highway.^[29] However, German defenses were adequately prepared, including gun–pits, bunkers, shelters, & a significant number of German troops.^[29]

On December 10, 1943, three Canadian regiments made their first attempt to cross The Gully. Although they succeeded in capturing Vino Ridge, directly south of The Gully, attempts to neutralize German positions in The Gully were unsuccessful.^[30][22] On December 11, the three battalions made another attempt, with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment suffering heavy casualties in their attempts to take German positions in The Gully.^[31] Although a badly–mauled A Company was able to gain a foothold on the reverse slope of The Gully, forming German counterattack units forced the company's remaining 45 men to withdraw.^[32]

On December 12, 1943, General Vokes sent the three battalions of the Third Canadian Infantry Brigade against The Gully's defenses.^[33] The assault started poorly, when Canadian Artillery plans were captured by soldiers of the 90th Panzergrenadier Division.^[34] When The West Nova Scotia Regiment attacked The Gully, they were subject to vicious Panzergrenadier counterattacks at approximately 1030. By 1400, the regiment had called off their attacks on The Gully — primarily as a result of the chaos caused by the German counterattack — and had taken heavy casualties. To the west, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry fared little better, with C Company taking heavy casualties in their assault on The Gully.^[33]

[edit] Casa Berardi

[edit] Taking The Gully

[edit] Ortona

[edit] See also

• Bernhardt Line
• Battle of Ortona

[edit] References

• Anon (1946). The Tiger Triumphs: The Story of Three Great Divisions in Italy. HMSO. 
• Bercuson, David [1996] (2004). Maple leaf Against the Axis. Red Deer Press. ISBN 0-88995-305-8. 
• Berton, Pierre (2001). Marching As to War. Anchor Canada. ISBN 0-385-25819-4
• Hoyt, Edwin P. [2002] (2007). Backwater War: The Allied Campaign in Italy, 1943-45. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978 0 8117 9982 3. 
• Zuehlke, Mark (2001). The Canadian Military Atlas. Stoddart. ISBN 0-77373-289-6. 
• Zuehlke, Mark (1999). Ortona Canada's Epic WWII Battle. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre. ISBN 1-55054-557-4. 

[edit] Notes