Battle of Rimini (1944) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Rimini
Part of Italian Campaign (World War II)
German trucks driving through muddy, flooded and unpaved roads near Rimini; typical terrain encountered during the offensive.
Date 13–21 September 1944 Location Rimini, Italy Result Allied victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom Canada  Kingdom of Greece  New Zealand	Germany
Commanders and leaders
E. L. M. Burns Thrasyvoulos Tsakalotos	Traugott Herr
Strength
3,377

The Battle of Rimini was an important battle during World War II. It took place from September 13 to September 21, 1944, in the city of Rimini in Italy.

This battle was part of a bigger plan called Operation Olive. This was a major attack by the Allies (countries fighting against Germany) on a strong German defensive line called the Gothic Line. The Gothic Line was a series of forts and trenches built by the Germans to stop the Allies from moving further into Italy. The Battle of Rimini was a key part of the Italian Campaign during the Second World War.

The area around Rimini was heavily defended by the Germans. Allied forces fired over 1.4 million artillery shells at the German positions in Rimini. This shows how tough the fighting was.

Background to the Battle

Allied Attack on the Gothic Line

On August 23, 1944, the British Eighth Army started Operation Olive. This attack focused on the eastern side of Italy. By the first week of September, the Allies had managed to break through some parts of the Gothic Line defenses.

The goal was to push the German forces back and continue the Allied advance through Italy. The city of Rimini was a major obstacle because it was a strong point in the German defenses.

The Battle for Rimini

Greek Brigade's Role

The 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade played a very important role in the battle. They faced two strong German attacks on September 8 and September 10. The Greek soldiers successfully stopped both attacks.

On September 13, the Greek brigade tried to capture Rimini. However, the German soldiers were ready for them and fought back hard. The Greeks could not take the city that day.

Pushing Towards the Airfield

The next day, September 14, more Allied forces joined the attack. Two troops from the 20th Armoured Regiment helped the Greeks. With this extra help, the German defenders had to pull back.

On September 15, the Greek soldiers attacked the Rimini airfield. Allied bombers first attacked the western part of the airfield. After the bombing, the Greek soldiers moved in. The Germans fought back fiercely with infantry, anti-tank rockets called Panzerschrecks, self-propelled guns, and strong Panther tank turrets that were dug into the ground.

Taking the City

The fighting continued on September 17. The three Greek battalions kept moving forward. Once the airfield was finally captured, the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade turned their attention towards Rimini itself.

On September 18, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Greek brigade moved closer to the city. They fought their way through the remaining German defenses.

Finally, on the morning of September 21, the 2nd Greek Battalion reached the city center. They proudly raised the Greek flag on the main municipal building. At 7:45 AM on September 21, the mayor of Rimini officially surrendered the city to the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade. This marked an important victory for the Allies.

Images for kids

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  Lecythus containing ground from the Greek military cemetery in Rimini