Near the end of May, the 30th Infantry was ready. The command team studied every detail of the terrain, noting where the enemy strongpoints were. The minefields were mapped out, and gun positions were plotted. When Phil saw the plans, he realized that they had the enemy completely cased, almost down to each machine gun nest and fire pit. This information came from long and careful interrogation of prisoners, detailed study of air photos, and constant patrol activity.[1]

This would be the final attack from Anzio Beachhead, and military planners made every effort to ensure its success because enemy opposition was expected to be severe. To that end, over 10,000 soldiers had secretly arrived by sea over the previous four days. Not since Sicily had the men been better prepared physically, or better conditioned mentally, to enter brutal action.

As the commanders at the beachhead were making their final preparations, they were determined to inculcate an offensive spirit in soldiers who had long been on the defensive. This may have been their easiest job, as the men were more than ready. They had been cooped up for so long that they felt like coiled rattlesnakes waiting to strike a venomous, fatal blow. When released, they would immediately attack.

As for Phil and his men, they were ready and poised to kill a lot of Germans and escape the “bitchhead.” Now was the time to put their extensive training and experience to work—to practice their ruthless and merciless art and take a big step toward winning the war.

As Phil wrote to his father:

I’d fight with these men anytime and anywhere, but I wouldn’t fight against them on any day. Pity the SOBs who have to.

The first warning order to move up came during the day of May 20, but by evening it had proved to be a false alarm. The day of attack, however, was imminent. At night it was now possible to see gun flashes from the southern front in the clear Italian skies. The push north from Cassino started May 12, and was destined for clear-cut success from the beginning. Sure enough, the next day the order came out “The regiment will move up tonight.”

The coincidence of dates was unintended. It was now May 21. On January 22 units of the 3d Infantry Division had first touched ground below Nettuno. It was the eve of the first landings which touched off the ill-starred campaign.[1]

~~~~~

On 20 May, therefore, General Clark directed II Corps to continue its attack toward Terracina, situated at the southern end of the coastal plain that extended northwestward to the Anzio beachhead.

Terracina fell on the night of 23-24 May.

American troops then raced northward over the flat land of the Pontine Marshes to meet the 1st Battalion, 36th Combat Engineers (Task Force Brett), which had advanced south from the beachhead.

The junction was effected at 0731 on 25 May, and General Clark (who had moved to Anzio to direct the offensive) personally greeted his men from the south at 1020.

Anzio was a beachhead no longer; it was now the left flank of the main fighting front.

During the first eleven days of the spring offensive, the character of the Anzio front remained unchanged; but behind the forward lines, the forces of VI Corps were busily preparing for their part in the big Allied drive.

To strengthen the beachhead forces, early in May, Combat Command B had joined the 1st Armored Division, which was now at full strength.[2]

[1] Larimore. At First Light, page 104.

[1] American Forces in Action. Anzio Beachhead (22 January-25 May 1944). The Breakthrough. http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-A-Anzio/USA-A-Anzio-6.html

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