Campaign 155: Anzio 1944, The beleaguered beachhead

by Steven J Zaloga, illustrated by Peter Dennis

Published by Osprey Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84176-913-4, 96 pages.

This is a very detailed account of the fighting at Anzio, including Naval matters such as the German use of guided weapons that forced the bombardment ships to move away at night. The landing itself was effectively unopposed, but, due to its small scale and the clashes of personalities involved that led to unclear instructions, the troops did not move inland to cut off the German forces at Cassino. Here we read the full story, with ever-stronger German counter-attacks and Allied reinforcements producing high casualties on both sides.

After reading this unbiased account I am left with the impression that if the original beachhead had been extended to cut off Cassino the result would have been disaster – but read it yourself and decide if you think the risk would have succeeded. A good selection of photographs are supplemented by birds’-eye-views, maps and plates to complete your understanding of the campaign.

Highly recommended.

John Prigent

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