Existing comment:
The Campaign Over Anzio:
Probably no other action has come to characterize the Second World War on the Italian mainland more than the battle for Anzio. Anzio was another costly offensive action by Allied forces over difficult terrain against a skilled defender that yielded ground very grudgingly. The action which began on 22 January 1944 was a move by the Allies to land a force by sea on the west coast of the Italian mainland to cut off Axis forces operating further south along the main defensive line. As in the action at Salerno, the Axis (principally German forces) were able to react quickly to the Allied threat and take advantage of an overly cautious Allied commander to contain the Allied beachheads. The battle for Anzio settled into a stalemate which lasted until 23 May at which time the Allied offensive against the Axis main line of defense caused a general retreat toward Rome and allowing a breakout from the beachhead. Many historians believe that the Anzio campaign achieved few if any of its objectives. The one positive thing that may have resulted from the action was that a considerable size Axis force was tied down containing the beachhead.
During the Anzio action, the 99FS had completed its move to the Italian mainland. Under this new and enlightened leadership, the 99th FS would clearly demonstrate their proficiency and aggressiveness in aerial combat and begin to quiet its detractors. In action over Anzio on 27 and 28 January 1944, 32 Axis aircrafts [sic] were shot down by Allied fighters, 13 of that number were credited to the pilots of the 99th FS. During this period, the 99th FS downed more enemy aircrafts [sic] than any other Allied fighter squadron participating in the action. For this action, the 99th FS would receive its first Distinguished Unit Citation. In the coming months, the men of the 99th FS participated in the defense of the Anzio beachhead and ground attack missions in support of Allied forces in the MTO. By the time of the breakout from the beachhead, the 99th FS will have added 4 more aerial victories to its tally. |