Post by bthodgson on Oct 15, 2010 14:23:10 GMT -5
34th Infantry Division, 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate)
**Please Note that this is not meant to be an official history, but instead a general one**
**Please Note that this is not meant to be an official history, but instead a general one**
By April of 1944, the 34th Infantry Division and the 100th Infantry Battalion had already been through the hellish meat grinder of Monte Cassino. Both units had taken very heavy losses in its battles to wrest the Cassino and its Abbey from the hands of the Germans. They were some of the first units to attack this area. Their initial efforts met with bitter resistance, but they none the less made substantial progress. In the end, however, their losses were simply too great and were pulled off the line. It would eventually take 5 Divisions to conquer the Abbey while it almost fell to the units of the 34th Infantry Division and 100th Battalion.
On March 25th, the 34th Infantry Division was landed on the stalemated beaches of Anzio. The Allies were in a deadlock with the Germans making no significant advances – a scene reminiscent of World War One’s “No Man’s Land.” One day later, the 100th Battalion also landed and took defensive positions. Throughout the month of April and most of May the 34th and 100th maintained their defensive positions in preperation for the upcoming planned breakout from the Anzio Beachhead – codenamed Operation Diadem.
Part of Operation Diadem called for the US VI Corps to break out of the stalemated Anzio beachhead and cut off Highway 6 thereby preventing the German 10th Army from escaping their positions in the Gothic line and redeploying somewhere else. It was in this operation that the 34th Infantry Division with the 100th Battalion attached would take part. Later, on June 11th, the 442nd RCT less its first battalion would join the 34th and begin its baptism of fire. (The 100th Battalion became the 442d’s first battalion but was allowed to keep its distinct title because of their distinction in battle)
This is our battleground. A little piece of hell carved out just for us. Our units are battle-tested and battle hardened. In the upcoming assault, we will be charging into the fray once again. If we can break the German lines – and we can – then the stalemated beaches of Anzio will be free and we can start the drive to Rome!!
