Reader Joe Amos wrote to us telling us that today (Saturday January 22) marks the 78th anniversary of the Battle Of Anzio in the Second World War. His letter follows
THIS battle in 1944 resonates with the city of Worcester and indeed the county as the proud men from the 67th Royal Artillery Regiment (later to become 214 Battery), played a crucial role during this campaign.
Led by General Mark Clark, the battle-hardened British 1st Armoured Division was integrated into the US 5th Army.
Toughened by their victories over Rommel’s Afrika Korps in North Africa, the 67th, with their experience and knowledge of battle, would play an integral role with the American forces at Anzio.
The plan, like so many plans before, was intended to shorten the war by avoiding the heavily fortified Gustav line, cutting off the axis forces and liberating the Eternal City, Rome.
Or so was the plan.
A Second World War period 25-pounder gun on display at the Worcester - Army Reserve Unit, 214 (Worcestershire) Battery Royal Artillery Parade and Artillery Day in August 2014
The landings were a success taking the German and Italian forces completely off-guard, however the advantage was soon lost due to poor leadership and mismanagement (something that resonates to this day).
Much of the blame has been pointed towards General Lucas. His poor leadership and indecision to advance off the beaches are said to have contributed to the failure of seizing areas of strategic importance.
A furious Winston Churchill said at the time: “I had hoped we were hurling a wildcat onto the shore, but all we got was a beached whale.”
Members of the 214 (Worcestershire Battery) Royal Artillery taking part in the service during the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag above the Guildhall, High Street, Worcester in 2018
The Germans launched successful counter-attacks which confined the allies to the beachheads of Anzio-Nettuno.
The beaches were aptly renamed deaths-head by German propagandists as over 7,000 Allied soldiers died during this campaign and over 30,000 more wounded.
The former would include Eric Waters, who would never know his son, Roger or his success with the future rock band Pink Floyd.
HUNDREDS of people turned out to watch and applaud as city soldiers celebrated their right to march through Worcester in September 2005 – their first Freedom parade for 14 years. Pictured are members of the 214 (Worcestershire) Battery Royal
The bravery and fortitude of those soldiers, particularly the 67th Regiment, that served in this campaign should never be forgotten.
214 (Worcestershire) Battery, whose HQ is in Pheasant Street, is a part of 104th Regiment Royal Artillery
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