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anemone
DONCASTER S. YORKS, UK
Posts: 7558
 | | Breaching the Gothic Line--Sept. 1944 | | Posted on: 7/21/2018 5:04:24 AM | Canadian troops had already taken Tomba di Pesaro and driven a wedge between the 26th Panzer and 1st Parachute Divisions. The following day, the Eighth Army had penetrated 10 miles and compromised the Gothic Line defenses along the Adriatic. It appeared as if the months of work the German laborers had invested might derive no tangible benefit whatsoever. The stunning advance of the Eighth Army had netted 4,000 prisoners, and General Traugott Herr, commanding LXXVI Panzer Corps, established a patchwork defensive line along the Coriano Ridge.
The British 46th Division and the 1st Canadian Corps tried for more than three days to take the ridge, but the veteran German defenders held firm. During the week of September 3, torrential rain fell, stalling the Eighth Army effort. Beyond the Coriano Ridge lay the key positions of San Fortunato and the town of Rimini. With Rimini in their hands, the British hoped to exploit the Romagna Plain, believed to be good tank country with firm ground.
The deteriorating weather, however, proved to be a major adversary and sapped momentum from the drive. More than 8,000 casualties had been sustained, and the Gothic Line was behind them, but the troops of the Eighth Army were exhausted and facing fresh German reinforcement
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Regards
Jim
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Pro Patria Saepe Pro Rege Semper
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| Michigan Dave
Muskegon, Michigan, MI, USA
Posts: 4607
| | Re: Breaching the Gothic Line--Sept. 1944 | | Posted on: 7/21/2018 9:42:08 AM | Hi Jim,
Breaching the Gothic Line was costly for the Allies, the Article you posted noted that the Polish II Corps was involved.
It's of note that being after surprised by German Attacks at the beginning of the war so many Poles fought the German's later!?
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Very admirable of the Poles!
MD
BTW; good topic,
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"The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
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| anemone
DONCASTER S. YORKS, UK
Posts: 7558
| | Re: Breaching the Gothic Line--Sept. 1944 | | Posted on: 7/22/2018 4:17:34 AM | On 29 August, Major-General Bert Hoffmeister, the 5th Canadian Armoured Division’s commander, crawled onto a hillcrest overlooking the Foglia River. Instead of seeing fortifications swarming with Germans, the strong points appeared unoccupied. Hoffmeister realized the Germans had not yet reorganized from their fighting withdrawal of the past few days. Worn out divisions were being replaced by fresh ones and those were only just beginning to arrive.
Racing to Burns, Hoffmeister proposed that the Canadians “gatecrash” the Gothic Line with an immediate infantry attack to punch a hole in the Line through which tanks could be fed. Once the tanks were past the Panzerturms and other guns, the Line would have to be abandoned all the way from the sea to the Apennines. Burns agreed.
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Regards
Jim
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Pro Patria Saepe Pro Rege Semper
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| anemone
DONCASTER S. YORKS, UK
Posts: 7558
| | Re: Breaching the Gothic Line--Sept. 1944 | | Posted on: 7/22/2018 4:17:37 AM | On 29 August, Major-General Bert Hoffmeister, the 5th Canadian Armoured Division’s commander, crawled onto a hillcrest overlooking the Foglia River. Instead of seeing fortifications swarming with Germans, the strong points appeared unoccupied. Hoffmeister realized the Germans had not yet reorganized from their fighting withdrawal of the past few days. Worn out divisions were being replaced by fresh ones and those were only just beginning to arrive.
Racing to Burns, Hoffmeister proposed that the Canadians “gatecrash” the Gothic Line with an immediate infantry attack to punch a hole in the Line through which tanks could be fed. Once the tanks were past the Panzerturms and other guns, the Line would have to be abandoned all the way from the sea to the Apennines. Burns agreed.
[Read More]
Regards
Jim
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Pro Patria Saepe Pro Rege Semper
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| George
Centre Hastings, ON, Canada
Posts: 8658
| | Re: Breaching the Gothic Line--Sept. 1944 | | Posted on: 7/22/2018 8:30:50 AM | Hello Jim,
The breach of the Gothic Line took place in two main areas I believe. One was on the Adriatic coast where British 8th Army with their Commonwealth and foreign contingents like the Greeks forced their way through in bloody combat, trying to get to Rimini and the plains.
Weather eventually stopped the advance but I do wonder whether lack of reinforcements also played a role in the decision to stop.
The Canadian Corps did play a prominent role here. San Fortunato and Coriano Ridge were battles that cost the Canadians a lot of men.
So too was a battle like Gemmano a tough go for the Brits.
But we must not forget the attacks on the central front where American and British troops were forced to attack through the passes of the Apennine mountains.
The Germans could defend these passes well and the struggle for US and British troops was difficult.
Gemmano. (Cassino of the Adriatic)
Central front, Il Giogo pass
Futa Pass. Picture doesn't do it justice but I believe this was the better defended option facing US troops leading to the decision to attack at Il Giogo.
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| Michigan Dave
Muskegon, Michigan, MI, USA
Posts: 4607
| | Re: Breaching the Gothic Line--Sept. 1944 | | Posted on: 7/22/2018 8:40:33 AM | Hi George,
With the Canadians playing a notable role in this operation. I was hoping you would reply!? Regardless, a very formidable defensive line set up by the Germans, & tough to attack!? Nice pics. Tanks played a roll in the final out-come!?
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Cheers,
MD
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"The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
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| anemone
DONCASTER S. YORKS, UK
Posts: 7558
| | Re: Breaching the Gothic Line--Sept. 1944 | | Posted on: 7/22/2018 9:29:52 AM | Hi George--this battle i in my opinion more attritional than Monte Casino
The stunning advance of the Eighth Army had netted 4,000 prisoners, and General Traugott Herr, commanding LXXVI Panzer Corps, established a patchwork defensive line along the Coriano Ridge.
The British 46th Division and the 1st Canadian Corps tried for more than three days to take the ridge, but the veteran German defenders held firm. During the week of September 3, torrential rain fell, stalling the Eighth Army effort.
Beyond the Coriano Ridge lay the key positions of San Fortunato and the town of Rimini. With Rimini in their hands, the British hoped to exploit the Romagna Plain, believed to be good tank country with firm ground.
The deteriorating weather, however, proved to be a major adversary and sapped momentum from the drive. More than 8,000 casualties had been sustained, and the Gothic Line was behind them, but the troops of the Eighth Army were exhausted and facing fresh German reinforcements when most rifle companies of the Infantry Btns had been reduced from 4 to 3 and no reinforcements coming in.
Regards
Jim
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Pro Patria Saepe Pro Rege Semper
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