Thank you! My wife and I just returned from a trip to Italy (Aug-Sept 2023). We visited the il Giogo Pass, and walked the same rebuilt German bunkers where you filmed. My Dad was a decorated US Army Lieutenant in 85th Division, 337th Regiment, Company F. He arrived in Italy at Salerno in March 1944, and fought all the way through Italy. So he was at the attack on the Gothic Line near the Giogo Pass. He was wounded near there on Sept 27, 1944, and recovered and served in Italy through the end of the war. He always wanted to return to Italy, but it never happened. It's been a bucket list item for me to visit, and I'm glad I did. Your video filled in many aspects of the fighting, and perspective as a critical part of WWII. We visited the Gottica Toscana Museum - highly recommended! Rich
Oh wow, I’m so glad you were able to make the trip! It’s a stunning area isn’t it but I still can’t picture how soldiers were able to fight through such terrain. I’m sorry your Father wasn’t able to return to his former battlefield. The museum is a wonderful place isn’t it and the people who run it really care about the story of what took place in that area which I found really nice.
My uncle was at Monte Cassino, fighting with 4th Fallschirmjäger Division, 10th Regt., 1st Batt., 1st Ko, he was captured on 3rd October at Monte Venere, 123 miles N.W of Monte Cassino, after many weeks of E&E through the Appennines. He was finally taken prisoner by 2nd Battalion, 133rd Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. He had survived Crete, Leningrad with FJR2 before being reformed with FJD4
@@WW2Wayfinder Me too. Have masses of respect for ALL those U.S Troops too, pushing UP those slopes with Fallschirmjager opposing them. My uncle had been in Russia and spoke to me of the booby traps (Baum Krepierer ?) they were highly skilled in making and placing. So ALL possible approaches up the hill would have been rigged and U.S troops would have likely encountered those too ? My Uncle was my favourite relative, as he always had time for us kids, was always laughing, and showed us many of the training exercises he had done. The favourite was falling forward with hands by our sides and only putting them out to stop the fall at the last moment. He could STILL do one handed press ups right into his 50s. A really short man, 5' 2" yet wiry and SO fit. dropping on Crete, he had been one of only two survivors from his section, most getting killed retrieving weapons from the Canisters out in the open. He got busted to the ranks a couple of times in Russia, for pinching fuel for a motorbike, and another time for distilling hooch from Antifreeze from smashed vehicles, to "stay warm in the snow. One of the punishments he told me of having received for this, was to be sent up in a Ju87 (Stuka) and the pilot would do dive after dive until the miscreant passenger threw up. Back on the ground, he then had to clean the cockpit out with his StFw screaming at him to get it cleaner ! He also took part in a couple of VERY low level "behind the lines" drops from a stripped out Ju-88 at Leningrad with FJR2. He was always laughing telling us these tales, but in my teens when I asked about his friends, his smiles disappeared. He loved Italy and went back a couple of times post war. But he stayed in England until he died, as he had married my Aunt. LOVELY man. AM still full of respect for him
Wow thank you so much for sharing those stories! They’d definitely be worth documenting if you have time in a book or similar. Greg Way has written an excellent book about the Fallschirmjäger and if you’re able to get hold of him he’d love to hear those stories. He’s ex Royal Navy but spent years meeting and interviewing former German Paratroopers.
@@WW2Wayfinder Thanks so much for giving me his name.I assume best way to contact him would be through his publisher ? I have been trying to find a way og getting my Uncle's full service records or Dienstbuch, as there was LOADS that I never thought to ask him. I do have photos of Red Cross Capture Records with where he was captured and what camps he was sent to including Camp Forrest, TN in USA, but as he ended the war as an Obergefreiter, and I know he had been "busted" a few times, I would love to find out where he did his initial training, as I believe Stendal closed in 1940. Thanks for your video, and showing just how steep those mountains were, I can so see why my uncle was as fit as he was. ps pre war he had been a bricklayer, and in 1961 he and my Dad built our Family home that I grew up in. Many thanks
My grandfather was a First Lieutenant of a Heavy Weapons Platoon in Company D of the 363rd Infantry, 91st Division. Montecilli ridge 5 day battle. They fought with machine guns, mortars, rifles, grenades, etc. and were trained specifically for front line battle in the mountains. He was awarded Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals for being wounded and for heroic achievement during this battle and was fortunate to have survived.
Jenna wow thank you for sharing that! Incredible to think of what your grandfather and his buddies must have gone through fighting in Italy given how tough the terrain and enemy were.
Thanks mate. It’s an amazing place. If 4th Fjr had been reinforced properly I think they could have held up the Americans for weeks if not longer. They’d have succumbed to artillery in the end but the infantry wouldn’t have been able to take the position on their own! Casino is on the list for next year!
Thank you! The fighting in Italy was utterly brutal and sadly never gets the coverage it deserves. I plan to do more in the future but I hope this is a small tribute to the men who fought in some very tough places!
It's a tragedy that the victors get to write the history people then forget the internal fortitude and high moral fiber of these brave men.....MAD RESPECT
Thank you! Was so interesting and researching the battle and nice to cover a time/area of the war that gets scant attention in the main stream media. What the soldiers achieved here is phenomenal and needs to be shared! Thanks again for watching 😃
@@WW2Wayfinder. My Dad was in the 214 FA RAMC 56 Black Cats Division. After Anzio they went back to Egypt to rebuild, and then returned into the 8th Army and the Gothic line. He was always reading books ….to find out where he’d been !! I often wondered if he had deserted because he didn’t give much detail of the Gothic line other than how grim it was. Before going into action at Lake Comaccio , he asked for leave …on the grounds he felt he done more than his bit beginning at Arras and then to Dunkirk. Request denied !! I believe the German defences were outflanked by the use of amphibious vehicles , leading to their surrender. His Sergeant friend put him and several others up for promotion before they were demobbed. Request denied , the grounds being too good as privates !! I was actually shown this letter by one of the others years after he passed away. He threw his medals away after the war.
My uncle Gerald Blair. Fought in the 363rd infantry Regiment. Company E. One of the 91st Division. Rome Arno, North Appennines, and the PO Valley. I know he was one of 3 from his company to make it home. Was wounded in September 1944. Wonded again in May of 1945. It's been hard getting any details. I found a book on the 91st division in Italy. But nothing personalized. Jug never would talk about it. Tossed his medals over the hill. But I appreciate your work.
Have you tried the archives? There's a limited search online but I know there are people that for a small fee will search for records in the archives themselves which may be worth a try? The link to the online archives is: www.archives.gov/research/military/ww2
Outstanding commentary! The main reason the Italian campaign is not more publicized in the U.S. is because Mark Clark was one of the most despised Generals of American history. He was censured by the Texas legislature for his mishandling of the Texas national guard, had to appear before a Congressional hearing after the war, mishandled Anzio, several river crossings, and was described by his peers as arrogant, aloof, politically naive, possessing all of the abrasiveness of MacArthur, but none of his charms. Thus, Both Bradley and Ridgeway was promoted, Clark retired, and taught at the Citadel. Eisenhower allowed him to work some as an advisor to the CIA, perhaps to boost his pension, but never allowed him near West Point or the War College. Had George Patton been given the Italian campaign, what began at Anzio would have liberated France, not stalemated.
Thanks for watching and I wasn’t aware of just how unpopular Clark was! I knew he wasn’t seen in a great light by his peers but that’s an eye opener! Thank you for that!
Yes and don’t forget the person who idea this was also planned Gallipoli, no trained military officer would look at this terrain and call it a soft underbelly
@@WW2Wayfinder About being ignored : At the Italian campaign fought 70k Free French forces, of which 60% consisted of Moroccan Tirrailleurs, Goumiers, Spahis and other North Africans, Africans and Levantines.. At Monte Cassino Moroccans units were key in the break through. bypassing along an untraversable flank. But no mention of that. Also a Moroccan infantry division was the first to enter Paris, but was held back because White French had to liberate Paris. After the war they were completely neglected (no war pensions, unlike other French ). Until the movie 'Indigénes' was made .
@@allws9683 Thank you for highlighting the contributions and sacrifices of these French colonial troops. We should never forget that the mountains were just as high and the rain and mud were just as cold for these young men who were a long way from their homes and loved ones.
When the allies Chief of Staff ask General Alexander why was taking so long and taking so many casualties to take that small town and its Monestery, General Alexander said " Simple, because we are facing the best Soldiers in the world". He was mentioned the Fallschirmjager,the German Paratroopers.
No doubt about it. The Fallschirmjäger were highly skilled fighters! Combined with the terrain it’s easy to see why they held the allies up for so long
Historical brilliance of the highest class ❤ well done lad you made this short documentary epic! Music with clips very captivating thank you for keeping History Alive!!❤❤❤
Love your channel. Objective and so detailed. Compared to other channels you're going the extra mile on content! Thought I knew about all there is to know but i'm learning about new facts from your channel all the time. You deserve more likes! Thank you.
Thank you! Really nice to hear that and glad you’re enjoying the content! Got plenty more planned for Normandy next month and other cool stuff lined up for later this year!
Another great story told! I really appreciate learning history that is not really talked about. Thank you for your videos and I look forward to your other work.
Thank you! I think it’s so important to keep these stories alive alongside those that are so well known from that era as it was all part of the same effort ultimately. And Italy was such a tough campaign for the men who fought there. Thank you for watching!
Great video, For ten years I have a house on the Gothic line it as been a hobby of mine, i have found , lots of bunkers tunnels lots and lots, Its sometimes real hard going but worth it to see the History. i have even met a real GI who was here in 1945. Some bunkers are to hard to reach for me.
Fantastic! A beautiful part of the world and yes the terrain is exceptionally hard to get around! No idea how either side managed it! Amazing that you’re able to walk that battle field and have had the chance to really explore it!
My Granfather was in the 85th 1944-45 339th infantry regiment, I company. In county July 1944. Really enjoyed seeing the terrain where he and the 338 fought. Plan on taking a trip to Italy. I agree that this was the forgotten front.
Hope it gave you an idea of how tough it was there. Those men did not have it at all easy fighting in Italy and they have my total respect for it! I hope you’re able to get over there and see it first hand as it’s beautiful but it also makes you think about what they had to endure!
Was in Normandy, Bastogne, and eagles nest last October. Italy is next. The cool thing was I took my Grandfather’s canteen cup which he inscribed all the places he went and have a cup of coffee at Utah beach.
Thank you! Italy was great to visit. And amazing how as a battlefield it’s still largely untouched in some places as I found some shell fragments littering the ground!
Thank you! It’s an incredible part of Italy and even more amazing to think that was one tiny part of the Gothic Line! I have no idea how either side managed to fight there! The terrain is utterly brutal!
My Grandfather with the 88th blue devils were crossing a bridge there when they were attacked by Nazis. He drug 3 injured friends to a barn somewhere in the forest and his for 3 days until they were rescued by fellow Americans. He met my Nonna in the PO Valley after the war, married her in Italy then came back to PA to raise a family and here I am so many years later. Heroes. His family even got a letter he was presumed KIA.
Agreed the campaign in Italy doesn’t get enough recognition. If it wasn’t for To Hell and Back and Miracle at St Anna most Americans wouldn’t know hardly anything about the war in Italy.
It’s sad that it’s overlooked as it was brutal due to the terrain and the weather, far more so than the ETO for the most part. It’s definitely a part of the war I want to spend more time documenting if I can to bring the awareness of it to more people.
Thank you! Italy was fun. And it really brought it home to me walking those hills just how tough both sides had it against the terrain let alone having to fight each other!
Hi. I litterally live there, in Scarperia, 10 minutes from the Giogo Pass. I know a lot of local stories about what happened here 80 years ago and my wife's grandmother ( 94 years old ) still tell me a new ones. Me and my reenactment group ( FUBAR Living History Group ) take part every year at the "Un Tuffo nella Storia", a 2 days event which includes visits to the installations of the battlefields, reconstruction events of the firefights that actually take place here on September 1944. I heard stories and met the families from who actually was here and fought 80 years ago. Still we remember who gaves his life on these mountains, no matter the side.
@WW2wayfinder Just what you're describing & showing in your presentation here shows just how much The Men in The Italian Campaign had to struggle to take these Mountains . "Tough Old Gut" for Sure. I remember my Grandfather saying when they took Monte La Difensa They lost a lot of Men when they did it. Great presentation. Keep up The Great work
Did you visit the museum just down the road ? On that hill where you are is a rather nice cafe/bar, where you can sit out and admire the view. When I cycled up there years ago, there were loads of Ducati motorcycles parked up.
I did visit the museum, the team in there were super friendly and the cafe at the top of the road provided a much needed ice cream after treking through the hills that morning! The views into the valley beyond were stunning! Fair play to you for cycling up there! That's some serious dedication!
It’s really close! I drove past it on the way there and did stop briefly to check it out from the road side as I knew the name but had no idea just how close it was!
Oh wow! I hope it gave you a reasonable idea of the terrain there. I was amazed at how tough both sides would of had it trying to move around those hills and mountains!
@WW2wayfinder It's Coincidental I got the Notification about your Notification about The Fallschrimjager in Italy. Just today I was watching a documentary about The Battle for Monte Cassino. They were talking to a British Veteran & he said The Fallschrimjager (German Paratroopers) put up a stubborn defense of The Abbey.
the Canadian Army played a crucial role in these battles and were poised to enter Rome,when Gen Mark Clark infamously told them he would fire on them to prevent them from being the ones to liberate the city,a vain narcissistic man with visions of glory
Mark Clark as you say was terribly vain and an average general. Because of that I chuckle when he wanted his big parade through Rome and the Allies upstaged him and landed in Normandy.
They didn’t mess around! The field hospital there looked impressive too. I know it’s been restored by the local museum but it’s done faithfully and from the outside looked pretty big!
Been doing a deep dive on my great uncle Oscar Reid.. was wounded by shrapnel on September 14Th ‘44. And died September 17th ‘44 in Italy. I wonder if this is where he was wounded. He’s buried at gradara cemetery. Irish Canadian Regiment!
Hi Dan, thanks for sharing your great uncles story! If I can help with any research drop me an email (it’s in my bio) as I’d be happy to help if I can! Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed it.
The only reason Italy was ever considered to be the soft underbelly and a shortcut into the heart of Europe was because the Allies didn't expect dispirited Italy to fight after its losses in Russia, North Africa and Sicily. They were right, but they didn't count the Germans filling the vaccuum with large numbers of effective and determined troops. I don't buy the theories which claim that Patton would quickly and magically have carved a way through entrenched German defenders in that terrain with the technology of the 1940s. And even when the allies reached the Po Valley, how far is that from central Germany?
Agreed! No amount of Patton’s bluster would have got his men through that terrain, especially against the German army who by that’s stage knew how to conduct fighting withdrawals from well defended lines. It did draw a lot of German divisions away from the West/East fronts but ultimately was too costly for the Allies given the harsh terrain they faced.
I touched on this Before. Churchill called it "The Soft Underbelly" The Men Fighting called it "The Tough Old Gut" It Bothers me How The Italian Campaign get's overlooked. It was Crass, Disrespectful & Insulting to Label The Veterans of The Italian Campaign with The disparaging name "The D-day Dodgers" From Monte Cassino ,Anzio , Ortona & The Apennine Mountains up the Boot These Men Payed the price in Blood for their costly Victories. Both Comments you Gentlemen have made are a Testament to that
@@palmergriffiths1952 Thank you for taking the time to post this comment. The Italian theater was a very hard-fought campaign which was sustained under appalling conditions from the landings at Salerno and Anzio right up to the final collapse of German resistance at the Po in 1945. No one should ever downplay the sacrifices or the courage which was routinely displayed by the common soldiers of the Allied forces.
Christ whatcing this if the war continued to the where my father was born in north east Italy near vittorio veneto the mountains and terrain I’ve walked would of been a night mear tight steep and twisting roads..the partisan fought them and the Germans could not dislodge them.for years lots of memorials to the local partisans shot in retaliation by ss my mums village in abruzzi was inialate by ss because of partisans holding the ss back great history program 🎉🎉
Clark was one of the worst generals employed by the United States. He was a venal, petty soldier and the wrong man to be leading such an important front. He was constantly complaining and was not a good leader or even a basically good human being. He was not a monster but he had all of the tyrannical pomposity without the victories
@randallheather3077 and the British and the Polish and the Indians and a host of others but not here where I filmed this. Here it was the Germans and the Americans.
