Phil and his remaining men joined what was left of Companies A, G, and L in three additional attacks on new objectives throughout the afternoon. [1]

Stubborn enemy defenders resisted those attacks in Ponte Rotto, a stronghold about a mile and a half from the village of Cisterna.

By day’s end, beneath sputtering rain, the men continued to advance, feeling like they were literally inching their way to Rome.

During the painfully slow advance, the 30th Infantry Regiment took the brunt in casualties, which numbered 432, or almost half of the losses suffered that day by the entire 3rd Infantry Division.

The regiment lost five company commanders among the twenty-one officers and scores of non-commissioned officers who could not be easily or quickly replaced.

As the first twenty-four hours’ fighting drew to a close, the shape of victory was beginning to appear.

The German’s iron ring around the Anzio Beachhead had finally been breached, and the enemy had suffered staggering losses of men, equipment, and prestige after four months of defensive build-up.

In the hard-hitting attack, the 30th Infantry had driven almost two miles, far outdistancing its sister regiments.

By the afternoon of May 24, the resistance continued to crumble.

Cisterna was surrounded, and news reports teletyped around the world were declaring, along with the divisional historian, “The steady marching men of the 3rd Infantry Division fought one of the bloodiest single encounters fought by any division in one day in World War II and what might well be classed as the greatest victory of its total combat career.”

One newsman wrote, “The Germans are receiving one of the greatest thrashings in their history.”

Late that afternoon, the Anzio breakout was considered complete. Or, as one of Phil’s men said, “The bitch is dead!”

After 125 grueling days, Anzio’s isolation was over. The beachhead had dissolved and become the left flank of the main fighting front.

Now Phil and his men could set their sights on the Eternal City.[1]

[1] Larimore, At First Light, 110.

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