Italian campaign and battle of Ortona Flashcards
date
July 10th, 1943- may 8th 1945
causes
Italian campaign was neat to take the pressure of the soviets on the eastern front,
was important to keep the axis forces occupied on multiple fronts,
if allies took control of Italy, allied troops could advance on Germany from the south,
(western=France, eastern=USSR,
southern=Italy…….
events
Canadians encountered tough, highly-skilled German soldiers when they attacked Ortona
at the same time, a northernly attack to the west of the town was attempted to cut off ortolans communications; this was slow to occur because of the rough terrain and the highly skilled germans,
Canadians were forced into certain areas and literally trapped,
small, yet extremely fire, battles fought between German and Canadians forces,
8 days of intense, vicious close-quarters combat,
the depleted German troops lacked reinforcements and finally withdrew from the town,
German troops-booby trapped.
results
allies won Sicily, southern Italy, Ortona
estimated 60,000 allied and, 50,000 German soldiers died in Italy from September 1943- April 1954,
no campaign in Western Europe cost lives, money,
30,000 Canadians were wounded,
successful in capturing land and troops,
pulled german troops away from western,eastern fronts.
long term results………………………….
Canadians won Ortona,
city Ortona was left in shambles,
major victory in a successful push towards Rome,
1,375, Canadians died, this was 1/4 of all Canadians,
killed during the entire Italian campaign.
