World War II Blogs

May 22, 2024

May 22, 1944 — Finally! Breaking out of Anzio

“We who are living know the success of the Division, and our own very existence is due mainly to those who unselfishly gave their lives in […]
May 21, 2024

May 21, 1944 — The horrific number of casualties on Anzio

Both VI Corps and the enemy suffered heavy losses in combat casualties during the four months between the Allied landing at Anzio on 22 January and […]
May 20, 2024

May 20, 1944 — The first warning order to move up and out from Anzio

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 […]
May 19, 2024

May 19, 1944 — D-Day for the Anzio breakout set

On May 19, 1944, General Truscott of VI Corps ordered concentrations for the attack, with D-day set for the 21st. [1]
May 18, 2024

May 18, 1944 — On Anzio the front-line men realize a vast operation is coming

In late May, the front-line men realize that a vast operation is beginning. Night after night practically every cannon on the beachhead blasts the enemy positions. […]
May 17, 2024

May 17, 1944 — On Anzio Phil received his first promotion to 1st Lieutenant

Starting May 17, the 30th Infantry Regiment had several award ceremonies in the Pine Grove Corps Reserve Area. At the age of nineteen, Phil was promoted […]
May 16, 2024

May 16, 1944 — The horrific casualty statistics from Anzio

Both VI Corps and the enemy suffered heavy losses in combat casualties during the four months between the Allied landing at Anzio on 22 January and […]
May 11, 2024

May 11, 1944 — Every man on Anzio could feel that they were the next to breakout

On the night of 11-12 May, the U.S. Fifth Army launched its spring offensive against the Gustav Line in the south so as to breakout and […]
May 10, 2024

May 10, 1944 — Continued preparation for a giant all-out attack to smash out of Anzio

For the 30th, the first three weeks of May were devoted to preparation for a giant all-out attack to smash out of the beachhead and carry […]
May 9, 2024

May 9, 1944 — Phil writes his mom from Anzio about his first possible promotion

Phil wrote his mom from Anzio about his first possible promotion. Was he counting his chickens before they hatched?
May 8, 2024

May 8, 1944 — Phil and his men don’t know it but the war in Europe will end one year from today

History.com notes, “On May 8, 1945, Great Britain, the United States and other Allied countries celebrate Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). Cities in the U.S., […]
May 4, 2024

May 4, 1944 — Many men wrote their final letters home from Anzio

Everyone was now preparing for our big offensive. We studied area maps and worked tactics in the sand box and discussed how we were going to […]