Allied invasion of Italy order of battle facts for kids

The Allied invasion of Italy was a big military operation during World War II. It happened in southern Italy in September 1943. Allied naval forces brought American and Commonwealth soldiers to the beaches. They faced strong resistance from German forces. The invasion started on September 3rd at Reggio di Calabria. More landings followed on September 9th at Taranto and Salerno. These operations were known as Operation Baytown, Operation Slapstick, and Operation Avalanche.

The Allied Invasion of Italy

The invasion of Italy was a key part of the war in the Mediterranean. The Allies wanted to knock Italy out of the war. They also hoped to tie up German forces. This would make it easier for the Allies to fight on other fronts.

Who Were the Allies?

The Allied forces were a team of countries fighting against the Axis powers. For the invasion of Italy, the main Allied leaders were General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Harold Alexander. They led a huge number of soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Sir Harold Alexander

Allied Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) was the main command center. It was led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

• Admiral Andrew Cunningham led the Allied Naval Forces.
• Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder was in charge of the Allied Air Command.

The Allied 15th Army Group was the main ground force. It was led by General Harold Alexander.

Operation Baytown: Landing in Calabria

This was the first part of the invasion. It happened on September 3rd, 1943. British soldiers crossed the Strait of Messina from Sicily to Reggio di Calabria.

Allied Commanders and Main Units

The main force for Operation Baytown was the British Eighth Army. It was commanded by General Bernard Law Montgomery.

Bernard Montgomery

Sir Miles Dempsey

The British Eighth Army included:

• British XIII Corps led by Lieutenant-General Sir Miles Dempsey.
  • The British 5th Infantry Division was a key part of this force.
  • The Canadian 1st Infantry Division also played a big role.
  • The British 231st Infantry Brigade Group was also involved.

Operation Slapstick: Landing at Taranto

This landing took place on September 9th, 1943. British paratroopers landed by sea at Taranto. This was a major port city in southern Italy. The goal was to capture the port quickly.

Allied Commanders and Main Units

The British Eighth Army was again involved. General Sir Bernard Law Montgomery was still in command.

The main unit for Operation Slapstick was the British 1st Airborne Division.

• This division was led by Major-General George F. Hopkinson. He was sadly killed during the operation.
• Major-General Ernest Down then took over command.
• This division included several parachute brigades. These were soldiers trained to jump from planes.

Operation Avalanche: Landing at Salerno

This was the largest and most important landing. It also happened on September 9th, 1943. American and British forces landed at Salerno, south of Naples. They faced very strong German resistance here.

Allied Commanders and Main Units

The main force for Operation Avalanche was the U.S. Fifth Army. It was commanded by Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark.

Mark W. Clark

Richard L. McCreery

Ernest J. Dawley

The U.S. Fifth Army was made up of two main parts:

• British X Corps landed on the northern beaches. It was led by Lieutenant-General Richard L. McCreery.
  • Key units included the British 46th Infantry Division.
  • The 56th (London) Infantry Division also fought bravely.
  • The famous British 7th Armoured Division (the "Desert Rats") was also part of this force.
  • British Special Service Brigade commandos also took part.
  • U.S. Ranger battalions, led by Lieutenant Colonel William O. Darby, were also crucial.

• U.S. VI Corps landed on the southern beaches. It was led by Major General Ernest J. Dawley.
  • Important American units included the U.S. 3rd Infantry "Rock of the Marne" Division.
  • The U.S. 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division was also present.
  • The U.S. 36th Infantry "Arrowhead" Division played a role.
  • The U.S. 45th Infantry "Thunderbird" Division was also involved.

The Army Group Reserve had more units ready to help. These included the U.S. 82nd Airborne "All-American" Division and the U.S. 1st Armored "Old Ironsides" Division.

Who Were the German Forces?

The German forces in Italy were ready to defend the country. They were very skilled and put up a strong fight. Their main goal was to slow down the Allied advance as much as possible.

Albert Kesselring

Heinrich von Vietinghoff

Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring was the overall German commander in the south. His main ground force was the Armeeoberkommando (AOK) 10. This army was led by Generaloberst Heinrich von Vietinghoff.

The German 10th Army had two main corps:

• XIV Panzer Corps was led by General der Panzertruppen Hermann Balck.
  • This corps had strong armored units. These included the 15th Panzergrenadier Division.
  • The Panzer Division Hermann Göring was also part of this corps.
  • The 16th Panzer Division was another powerful unit.

• LXXVI Panzer Corps was led by General der Panzertruppen Traugott Herr.
  • This corps was deployed in other areas of southern Italy.
  • It included the 26th Panzer Division.
  • The 3rd Panzergrenadier Division was also present.
  • The 29th Panzergrenadier Division also fought under this command.

See Also

• Italian campaign (World War II)
• World War II

Images for kids

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  Dwight D. Eisenhower

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  Sir Harold Alexander

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  Bernard Montgomery

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  Sir Miles Dempsey

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  Mark W. Clark

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  Richard L. McCreery

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  Ernest J. Dawley

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  Albert Kesselring

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  Heinrich von Vietinghoff