The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 72, July 1968 - April, 1969 Page: 43
498 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Notes and Documents
incorporated into their defenses in such a manner that the fire from
weapons of all types could be brought down on any troops attempting
to cross at any point along the banks. All likely approaches to the river
were mined. The meager crossing equipment available was improvised
and unsuitable. The Division did not have one single advantage in
its favor. Everything favored the Germans. I pointed out the difficulties
and tried to have the order changed so the crossing could be made
farther north. My superiors were adamant. There was not sufficient
time for a thorough discussion with them of the many difficulties in-
volved and why these could not be overcome. After I received the
order, further discussion was pointless. I had to obey the order I had
received. My conscience nagged me because I felt that I was a party to
an undertaking that would lead to unnecessary losses of many fine men
to no purpose. Nevertheless, the gallant men of the Division made
every possible effort to succeed. Their failure to cross the Rapido and
seize the German positions was not their fault. They had been given
an impossible job. No other division could have done any better.
Of all the operations of the Division in Italy, the one that I consider
to be superior and most brilliant was the breakthrough at Velletri.
On one of my visits to the front lines, I learned that part of the ter-
rain in front of the Division was occupied only by German patrols.
It occurred to me that a gap existed there where the Division might
be able to break through the German lines. When it began to look
like the 36th might have to take over and relieve a division which
had been stopped and badly battered by the Germans farther to the
south, I made a thorough reconnaissance of the gap by ground, by
air, and by study of photo maps. I concluded that here was an oppor-
tunity not to be missed. I prepared a plan to exploit the gap in front
of us and obtained permission from General Lucian K. Truscott, Jr.,
to execute it. Again, exactly according to plan, the whole Division
moved into and through the gap, climbed over Mt. Artemisio, com-
pletely surprised the German command, broke the defenses of Rome,
pursued the retreating Germans through Rome and for some 200 miles
beyond. The maneuver and pursuit were carried out with skill and
speed and demonstrated the outstanding fighting ability of the 36th
Division. The higher commanders were pleased and all smiles. I, too,
as well as everyone in the Division, was delighted and proud of its
outstanding success.
Soon after this successful maneuver, I received order to leave the
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 72, July 1968 - April, 1969, periodical, 1969; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117146/m1/59/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.