Battle of Cisterna facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Cisterna
Part of Operation Shingle
Date 30 January-2 February 1944 Location Anzio beachhead, Italy Result German victory
Belligerents
United States	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Mark W. Clark John P. Lucas	Eberhard von Mackensen
Units involved
U.S. 3rd Infantry Division 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment 6615th Ranger Force	Herman Göring Panzer Division 15th Panzergrenadier Division (elements) 1st Parachute Division (elements) Reinforcements: 71st Infantry Division 26th Panzer Division

The Battle of Cisterna was an important fight during World War II. It took place in Italy, near a town called Cisterna, from January 30 to February 2, 1944. This battle was part of a bigger military action called Operation Shingle, which aimed to push Allied forces off the Anzio beaches.

The battle ended with a clear victory for the German forces. It was especially tough for the American Ranger units involved. These Ranger groups were told to help the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division attack Cisterna. The 3rd Division had already tried to capture the town a few days earlier.

The attack on Cisterna was part of a larger plan by the U.S. VI Corps. They wanted to move away from the Anzio beaches quickly. This was important before more German troops could arrive and launch a strong counter-attack.

Why the Battle Happened

On January 22, 1944, the Allies started Operation Shingle. This was a sea landing of U.S. and British soldiers. They landed near Anzio and Nettuno in Italy. Their goal was to attack the German Gustav Line defenses. These defenses were about 60 miles (97 km) to the southeast.

The Allies had been fighting from the south since January 16. This was during the first Battle of Monte Cassino. After landing, the Allies built up their forces on the beach. This also gave the Germans time to strengthen their defenses. By January 29, the Allies had 69,000 soldiers on the beach. The Germans had 71,500 troops ready to stop them.

On January 30, the Allies attacked. They moved northeast toward Campoleone and the Alban Hills. A special group of Rangers tried to sneak into Cisterna. The Rangers thought they would meet only a few German soldiers. But they were actually moving towards a very large enemy force. Many Rangers had been hurt or killed in earlier fights. The new soldiers sent to replace them were not as experienced or well-trained.

The Battle of Cisterna

Many Ranger troops and the 3rd Battalion of the 15th Infantry tried to sneak behind German lines. Their mission was to get into Cisterna. They planned to attack and hold the town until the main Allied attack arrived.

Allied plan of attack and forces at Cisterna on January 30, 1944

As these two groups tried to move into German territory, strong German forces attacked them. These forces included the 715th Motorized Infantry Division. They also had the Herman Göring Panzer Division. This German force included seventeen Panzer IV tanks.

One Ranger commander, Major Dobson, bravely attacked a tank. He shot the tank commander with his pistol. Then he dropped a white phosphorus grenade into the tank. Other Rangers managed to capture two more tanks.

In the end, the Germans won the battle. About 803 Allied soldiers did not return from the fight. Around 400 Rangers became prisoners of war. The Germans also had many losses during the battle.

After the Battle

The main Allied attack tried to rescue the trapped Ranger groups. The Allies did capture some land. However, they could not get past the strong German defenses. They failed to capture Cisterna. The Germans held onto Cisterna until May 1944.

German attacks on February 1 and 2 did not win back any land from the Allies. The Germans suffered heavy losses in these attacks.

Using lightly armed Rangers to lead such a big attack was later criticized. Because of their heavy losses, the Ranger forces in Italy stopped operating. However, Ranger units continued to fight in other places. They played important roles in northern Europe, like during D-Day, and in the Pacific War.