Anzio - 7 February 1944

From the After Action Report of the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division.

Seventy years ago today, 7 February 1944::

“A few minutes after midnight of Feb 6-7, 1944, Lt Patterson reported that one platoon of Co F was
captured. 2nd Bn S-2 verified the breakthrough. (at 799310) At 0045, the regimental commander
ordered the 2nd Bn to counterattack and restore the position. By 0100 hours, the 2nd Bn reported that
Co F’s CO believed his platoon was still intact and that he was restoring the position. The 2nd Bn CO
reported that the enemy had made a diversionary attack on the left platoon of Co F and when
the support was sent forward, the enemy withdrew. One PW was captured by Co F.


“Enemy artillery was falling heavily along the entire regimental front by 0210. By 0305 hours, an
estimated 700 rounds had fallen in this sector with the major portion of the barrage on the left flank.


“A large amount of small arms fire was being directed on first Bn at 0350 and Co ‘I’s right flank received
artillery air bursts at 0420 hours in the vicinity of 900388 and 8933. Enemy troops (at 781318) were fired
on at 0420 hours. A contact patrol from Co G was sent out at 0445 hours by 2nd Bn to the unit on their
left. The 45th Rcn troops re-established communications at 0510 and reported they had also received
artillery fire from 0200 and 0300. Our regiment at 0600 reported to Division G-3 that the sector had
quieted down. We were warned that the Radar had picked up a concentration of enemy vehicles in the
Cisterna-Littoria area. 2nd Bn reported five casualties at 0605 hours as the result of an artillery barrage
during the night.

“The daylight hours were quiet. All units were warned not to fire at a C-47 passing over at 1000 hours.
Regiment was notified of the movement of Co A, 645th Tank Destroyers after dark to support unit on our
right.

“Working parties from the 6th Armored Inf, preparing positions in our area, were withdrawn at 1757
because of a change in plans. At 1815 hours the regiment was notified that Co A, 645th TD’s would not
be released.

“The North Staffordshire regiment on our right reported that through a PW it had learned that there was
enemy armor at 880355 and also that a paratroop drop might be expected.

“By 2040 hours, enemy shelling was general throughout the regimental sector. Third Bn at 2103 reported
a heavy enemy attack between Co L and the 2nd North Staffs. was developing. The troops were receiving
heavy artillery and small arms fire. (839330) Co E also received small arms fire.

“The British reported armor moving at (865350). The 3rd Bn sector still was under control at 2115 but the troops were receiving concentrated machine gun fire. At 2154, 3rd Bn received heavy firing believed to come from tanks in the vicinity of the main road in front of the British.

“The German attack continued to develop and at 2158 hours, 3rd Bn called for all the artillery fire that
could be mustered. One Platoon of Co K, in Bn reserve, moved over to Co L's right flank at 2219 hours
in the vicinity of 8437. The enemy push developed between Co L and the British North Staffs and the
British reported that more than 50 enemy had infiltrated through the lines and could not be located. The
North Staffs reported sending troops down the draw to regain their original position. Part of one platoon
of Co K moved over as further reinforcement for the right flank troops of Co L.

“Three green Very Pistol flares, followed immediately by two more, went up in front of Co I at 2235. All
fire except that from a few machine guns, had virtually ceased. Co I was alerted for a possible attack.

“By 2251 hours, the front had quieted. The unit of Co K which had moved to Co L’s right flank was
ordered back into Bn reserve. 3rd Bn still maintaining its original position, was reorganized for a possible
attack. Co L, which was in close contact with the enemy in the fire fight, called for litter bearers at 2310.

“Artillery fire, probably from tanks, began falling in Co K's area at 2317 hours. Major John G. Boyd,
Battalion Commander was killed almost instantly by an enemy shell. His orderly was seriously wounded.
Captain Merle M. Mitchell assumed command of the Battalion.

“2nd Bn reported a frontal attack starting on Co F at 2340 in the same place as the night of Feb 6. The
enemy continued to press but the situation remained well in hand. Co I reported two men missing in
action and one heavy machine gun lost. Co L reported a section of HMG's knocked out and six casualties. At midnight the situation of both forward Bns was serious, but not critical.

“KIA - 1; WIA -15; MIA -1; PW - 2."


Dave

 

Dave,

Thanks for this.

Grim, it certainly was - I guess the 157th were to the left of Buonriposo Ridge.where 2 North Staffs and 5 Grenadiers were positioned.

I'm meeting up next week with a chap who was at Aprilia on 7th Feb 1944 - he was wounded twice in the arm on leg on that day.

best

 

You are very welcome.

The Factory and Carroceto, 7-8 February.



http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/anziobeach/map11.jpg


By the way, I hope you can record your conversation with this vet.


Dave

 

Dave,

Excellent..and thanks for the map.

This is the citation for the Military Cross that was awarded to the gentlemen in question, Lieutenant Richard Haigh.

The London Irish Rifles shall be returning to Anzio (with pipers) in May..

best

 

This is fascinating, thanks to all. Great to learn more about this part of the campaign. As I understand it, 2nd Bn North Staffs were hit very badly on 7/8th November, with only about 70 survivors left who, low on ammunition, attached themselves to L Coy of 3rd 157th on their left but became separated with many subsequently being made PoW (I'm taking this from Whitlock's 2009 book on the US 45th Inf. Division). I would welcome any pointers to accessible sources for the battalion's Anzio campaign, and this night action in especially.

My particular interest is in 5053528 Pte Frederick Neville Smith, Carrier Platoon, 2/North Staffs, as I'd like to flesh out details of his war service for his daughter and his grand-daughter (my other half) if I can.

Neville Smith was reported missing after the fighting of the 7/8th and he remained so for months until a fellow carrier driver returned to the UK and visited his wife. He told her that Neville had driven his carrier to a farmhouse where it was attacked with grenades, and he was killed; his pal said his own vehicle had failed to start, sparing him a similar fate no doubt. Neville's wife died a few years ago but I knew her well and she was deeply affected by the uncertainty over his fate, and what to tell their two little daughters. I believe that when his death was confirmed she was genuinely, if bitterly sadly, relieved to know.

Neville came from Sutton-on-Trent and was a motor mechanic; he was 28 when he died. He is commemorated at Cassino. RIP.

Cheers, Pat

 

This line interests me. Does anyone here know what the radar being referred to was? I had no idea they were used for anything other than aircraft/naval purposes at this stage.

 

Remembering the valour of so many at Anzio 75 years ago ..

In the early morning of 7th February 1944, the 1st Bn London Irish Rifles and the other battalions positioned near Aprilia faced the onslaught:

"...Shortly after two o’clock on the morning of 7th February, a message was received from Brigade stating that the Germans were reliably expected to make a major effort at 0400 hours. The London Irish stood by with fixed bayonets but, apart from attempted infiltration by strong German patrols between the company positions and the 10th Royal Berkshires on the right flank, nothing serious developed. These movements by the enemy were dealt with without much difficulty. Then shelling increased and enemy aircraft made several strafing raids on the 'Factory” area. Reports continued to come in of increasing concentrations of infantry and tanks in areas off the main road two, or three miles to the north. It indicated that perhaps the Germans intended to stage a “break-through” along the road leading south to the sea. In their path were the London Irish positions at Aprilia.

Soon after 0500 hours, under cover of smoke and heavy artillery fire, the Germans attacked."

Anzio (February 1944) – London Irish Rifles Association

 

The night of 7-8 Feb 44 was when, 75 years ago, Maj Bill Sidney won his VC at Anzio.

Frank