Rome, Ville Ouverte? MTO (id:#61846)

(Vae Victis # 103 ID: VV 77)   [next]   [previous]

Centocelle, Italy 1944-06-04 (1 other)

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Overview:

"Rome, Open City?" -- On 2nd June 1944, the Caesar Line finally acceded to the onslaught of the GI’s who were opening the way to Rome. While the Germans began a difficult retreat from a more mobile and powerful opponent, a race began between the US units over which would be first to enter the Eternal City. Rome had seemed on the verge of becoming a battleground, but for several months the Germans had been reluctant to follow such a strategy. On the 3rd, Kesselring received permission to contact the Allies through the Vatican to declare Rome an open city. Given the late nature of these overtures, with their advance elements approaching the gates of the city, the Americans chose to ignore the German undertakings. Consequently, the Germans decided to offer a token resistance by their rear-guards to slow down the Americans in front of the city, as the remainder of their troops moved into positions north of the city. On Route 6, the advance of the II Corps was led by the US 1st Armored Division and the First Special Service Force, an American/Canadian commando group.

Defender: German (II/Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 11, Sturmpanzer-Abteilung. 216)  

Errata (source)