Anzio 1944: The beleaguered beachhead

Osprey Campaign #155

by Steven J. Zaloga, Peter Dennis (Illustrator)

In January 1944, the Allies decided to land at Anzio in order to overcome the stalemate at Cassino.This amphibious landing has become one of the most controversial campaigns of World War II (1939-1945). Questionable decisions by the Allied leadership led to three months of World War I-style trench warfare, and the entire beachhead suffered from continuous German observation and bombardment.  Vividly describing each thrust and counter-thrust, this book takes us through the agonizing struggle as each side sought to retain or regain mastery.  It shows how Anzio proved to be a stepping stone not only to Rome but also to the liberation of Italy.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Military History, Italy, Germany, American

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2005

About the author

Steven Zaloga is an author and defense analyst known worldwide for his articles and publications on military technology.  He has written over a hundred books on military technology and military history, including “Armored Thunderbolt: The US Army Sherman in World War II”, one of the most highly regarded histories of the Sherman Tank.  His books have been translated into Japanese, German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Russian. He was a special correspondent for Jane’s Intelligence Review and is on the executive board of the Journal of Slavic Military Studies and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. From 1987 through 1992, he was the writer/producer for Video Ordnance Inc., preparing their TV series Firepower.  He holds a BA in history from Union College and an MA in history from Columbia University.

Mr. Zaloga is also a noted scale armor modeler and is a host/moderator of the World War II Allied Discussion group at Missing-Lynx.com, a modelling website. He is a frequent contributor to the UK-based modeling magazine Military Modelling. He is a member of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society.

Reviews

[Sarah Sundin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, detailed coverage. Sadly, several maps had crucial details hidden in the fold of the book.

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anzio was representative of the entire Italian campaign. Neither side was satisfied with the results, the Allies generally failing to win a great victory and yet still keeping needed pressure on the German army in the lead up to the summer 1944 offensives. This account is fair and readable, and shows that Lucas, however failed as a commander, was really a scapegoat for graver failures committed by Clark and Churchill. Anzio was an ill conceived operation that lacked the numbers needed to be decisive. It did aid in gradually grinding up German forces, making it something of a Pyrrhic victory, but nothing more can be claimed.