The Mediterranean and Middle East: Victory in the Mediterranean Vol.6 Part One (History of the Second World War: United Kingdom Military): Victory in the Mediterranean v. VI

The Mediterranean and Middle East: pt. 1. Victory in the Mediterranean 1st April to 4th June 1944 This volume is the sixth in the eight-volume series describing the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern theatres in World War II. It tells the story of the campaign in Italy from March to June 1944, a period marked by significant Allied successes. After becoming bogged down at Anzio and Monte Cassino, General Alexander launched a spring offensive, known as Operation Diadem, which aimed to take Monte Cassino, break the German defences of the Gustav Line, and capture Rome. The operation was successful, with the British Eighth and US Fifth Armies breaching the Gustav Line within days of its opening. The subsidiary Hitler Line was also broken, and American, Canadian, and French forces eventually broke out of the Anzio bridgehead. The Allies then occupied Rome on 4th June, after heavy fighting. The campaign also saw British special forces missions supporting Marshal Tito's partisans in attacking German occupying forces in Yugoslavia. In addition to the main campaign, the book includes chapters on Allied strategic disagreements, the war at sea, and the Allied administration of Italy. It features two appendices and 20 maps and diagrams, providing a detailed and comprehensive account of this significant period in World War II history.