Battle of Gemmano facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Gemmano
Part of the Italian Campaign of World War II
Platoon commanders of 7th Ox and Bucks Regiment plan the attack on the village of Gemmano, 6 September 1944.
Date 4-15 September 1944 Location Gemmano, Italy Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Nazi Germany	Great Britain  British India
Commanders and leaders
Lt-Gen Traugott Herr	Lt-Gen Charles Keightley
Strength
German LXXVI Panzer Corps	British V Corps
Casualties and losses
1000+	at least 500

The Battle of Gemmano was an important fight during World War II. It took place in Italy in September 1944. This battle was part of a bigger plan by the Allies (countries fighting against Germany). This plan was called Operation Olive.

Operation Olive aimed to break through the German Gothic Line. This was a strong line of defenses built by Germany across the Apennine Mountains in northern Italy. The Battle of Gemmano was a series of attacks by British forces to capture the village of Gemmano and the areas around it.

What Was the Battle of Gemmano?

The Battle of Gemmano involved a series of four main attacks. These attacks were carried out by British soldiers. They fought against German forces defending the village. The fighting lasted from September 4 to September 15, 1944.

Capturing Gemmano Village

The British launched their first attack on September 4. The German soldiers fought very hard to defend their positions. The British kept pushing forward.

On September 9, during the second attack, the British finally captured the village of Gemmano. This was a big step, but the battle was not over.

Securing the Area

Even after taking the village, the fighting continued. Two more attacks were needed to secure the surrounding hills and areas. The German forces were well-dug in. They made it very difficult for the British to advance.

The fighting was extremely tough and intense. Because of how fierce the battle was, some historians have called it the "Cassino of the Adriatic." This comparison shows that it was as difficult and costly as the famous Battle of Monte Cassino.

Why Was Gemmano Important?

The Battle of Gemmano was part of the Allies' plan to push the German army out of Italy. Capturing Gemmano helped the Allies move forward along the Gothic Line. This victory, though hard-won, was important for the overall Italian Campaign. It showed the bravery and determination of the soldiers on both sides.