Military Model Scene

Title: Assault on the Gothic Line 1944
Author: Pier Paolo Battistelli
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5014-0

The Allied Attempted Breakthrough into Northern Italy, number 387 in the Campaign series from Osprey. A 96-page soft-cover book, with artwork by Ramiro Bujeiro.
This follows the common format for these Campaign series books, with some opening background to set the scene, along with a chronology of key events from 4 August 1944 through to the end of the offensives on 19 February 1945. Then we get to summaries of the key commanders on both Allied and Axis sides of the story. Some of them are well known names, and others less so. There were successes and failures among those on both sides. The opposing forces are set out, and includes 2 versions of their Orders of Battle, for both August and November of 1944. These are followed by the operational plans of both sides. The largest part of the book is given over to the campaign itself, and a chronological sequence of events with the British 8th Army assaults along the East coast route in northern Italy, as well as the US 5th Army taking the more inland route, aiming towards Bologna. The overall story is quite complex, as there were a large number of units involved on both sides, and in particular a fascinating mix of nationalities involved on the Allied side. As well as US and British divisions, there were Indian, Canadian, New Zealand, Gurkha, South African, Polish and even Brazilian forces all engaged in the fighting. That is not all though, as the geography of the region played a significant part, as east-west running rivers offered helpful defence lines while the very wet and later wintery weather all played their parts. Allied and Axis forces both suffered from a lack of reinforcements, leading to the break up and reorganisation of some major units. Both sides had a tough fight, with success and failure for both sides at different times. A final Aftermath chapter considers how the campaign turned out, when the offensive was finally halted in February 1945, as winter set in.
I found this an interesting part of the Italian campaign to read about. With so much going on at the time on the Eastern Front, as well as in NW Europe, the idea of an assault over the Alps and into southern Germany and Austria was overshadowed by the events elsewhere. The degree of determination, and successes in fighting a delaying retreat as German forces withdrew back to their planned final defence lines are interesting. German forces continued to fight well even in these circumstance, when with the pressures Germany was facing elsewhere, you might have expected them to have lost heart by this stage in the war. But couple their skilful resistance with the terrain and weather, along with some problems also facing the Allied commands, it was possibly a more spirited campaign. Supported by numerous archive photos and some fine artwork throughout the book, I am sure readers will find this one a handy reference.
Thanks to Osprey for our review copy.

Robin