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Goodbye U.S.A.

September 21, 1943:  According to his "Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Marv departed for "service outside continental U.S." on Tuesday, September 21, 1943. 

 

Note: Although I do not have specific documentation, it's likely that Marv went from Camp Shenango, a military personnel replacement depot and where he was last stationed, to one of the embarkation camps under the command of the New York Port of Embarkation (Brooklyn, New York), such as Camp Shanks (Orangetown, New York).  Embarkation camps were staging areas established to house and prepare troops for a period of usually a week, but sometimes up to two weeks, before embarking for overseas.  

 

My educated guess is that Marv went from Camp Shenango to Camp Shanks because Camp Shanks--which was under the command of the New York Port of Embarkation, the main operating port of embarkation on the Atlantic--was one of the largest embarkation camp used during World War II.  Also, the following two items give further credence to my guess.  First is an online letter from a soldier who was stationed at Camp Shanango (like Marv) and wrote home stating, "If I go to Europe I get 12 hours in New York before going to the P.O.E.!"   Second is an online story about another soldier who was stationed at Camp Shenango (like Marv) and was sent directly to "Camp Shanks, located outside New York City near Orangeburg and the Port of Embarkation."

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Furthermore, if Marv was stationed at either of the two largest embarkation camps under the  New York Embarkation Command (Camp Shanks and Camp Kilmer), it's likely Marv one of the troops that was moved by rail to Jersey City (New Jersey) to board a ferryboat for the embarkation piers to transfer to troop transports.  

  • Perhaps Marv boarded a troop transport ship at North River, Manhattan, the principal troop embarkation with seven piers to which troops were brought by ferry connecting rail terminals serving embarkation camps.  NF

Above: Portion of New York Port of Embarkation, heavily populated with famed World War II Victory ships and Liberty ships, 1943.

Click on the following title to view a short, black and white video clip of the New York Port of Embarkation:  

Overview of the New York Port of Embarkation

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The New York Port of Embarkation (NYPOE) was an Army command responsible for the movement of troops and supplies from the U.S. to overseas commands.  It was a region-wide operation covering more than a dozen facilities that moved 3.2 million troops and 37 milllion tons of military supplies to fronts across the globe.  

  • The Brooklyn Army Terminal  was the headquarters and nerve center for th NYPOE.  Arguably the most famous soldier to deploy from Brooklyn Army Terminal was Elvis Presley. 

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Embarkation camps were staging areas established to house and prepare troops for a period of usually a week, but sometimes up to two weeks, before embarkation overseas.  At NYPOE, in 1944 the average time in camp ranged from 7.1 to 11.7 days.  

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There were four major U.S. Army embarkation camps that were part of the installations of the NYPOE:

  1. Camp Shanks in Orangeburg, New York, was dubbed "Last Stop USA," with a troop capacity of over 34,600. Troops moved by rail for the short train ride to Jersey City, New Jersey, or marched the four miles to Piermont Pier, to board a ferry for the embarkation piers to transfer to the troop transports.  The camp was one of the largest U.S. Army staging areas and embarkation points in the U.S. during World War II, processing 1.3 millions service personnel enroute to Europe.   

  2. Camp Kilmer in Stelton, New Jersey, with a troop capacity of over 37,500. Troops  were usually moved by rail to Jersey City, New Jersey, to board ferry boats for the embarkation piers and to transfer to the troop transports. Eventually, it became the largest processing center for troops heading overseas and returning from World War II, processing over 2.5 million soldiers.

  3. Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York, which had a troop capacity of 5,700 and was used as a staging area for NYPOE as needed. 

  4. Fort Slocum in New Rochell, New York, served as Transportation Corps officer training center and was a staging for NYPOE as needed.

 

At the NYPOE embarkation camps, troops sent personnel effects home and received medical injections and the supplies needed before loading onto transport ships for travel to the European Theater of Operations.  ​

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In 1939 when war was declared in Europe, NYPOE was the only formally operating port of embarkation on the Atlantic.  During the period between that event and entry of the U. S. into the war, two sub-ports were established under NYPOE: 

  • Charleston Port of Embarkation, which was established to relieve pressure on NYPOE with initial responsibility largely centered on the West Indies and Caribbean.

    • Note: When Marv returned from overseas, he disembarked at the Charleston Port of Embarkation.  NF

  • New Orleans Port of Embarkation, which was established as a sub-port to support the Panama Canal Department but later became involved in support of Caribbean, South Atlantic, and Pacific commands as the New Orleans Port of Embarkation.  

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Background

Mediterranean Theater of Operations

 

The Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army (MTOUSA), originally called the North African Theater of Operations (NATOUSA), was the American term for the theater of operations covering North Africa and Italy during World War II.

 

American operations in the theater began with the Allied Expeditionary Force, which landed on the beaches of northwest Africa on November 8, 1942, in Operation Torch. They ended in the Italian Alps some 31 months later with the German surrender in May 1945.

  • Note: According to Marv's "Enlisted Record and Report of Separation," he was in the "European African Middle Eastern Theater" as he received a citation ribbon for this.  NF

 

Italian Campaign

(July 10, 1943 - May 1, 1945

 

The Italian Campaign (July 10, 1943 - May 1, 1945) was a series of Allied beach landings and land battles from Sicily and southern Italy up the Italian mainland toward Nazi Germany.

 

The Allied advance through Italy produced some of the most bitter, costly fighting of the war, much of it in treacherous mountain terrain.  

 

Listed below are the Continental Italy operations.

  • Naples-Foggia Campaign (Sept 9, 1943 – Jan 21, 1944)

    • Note: According to Marv's "Enlisted Record and Report of Separation," he was in the "Naples-Foggia" Campaign. NF

  • Battle of Anzio (Jan. 22 - May 24, 1944)

  • Rome-Arno River Campaign (Jan. 22, 1944 – Sept. 9, 1944)

  • North Apennines (Sept. 10, 1944 - April 4, 1945)

  • Po Valley Campaign (April 5, 1945 – May 8, 1945)​

Naples-Foggia Campaign

(Sept 9, 1943 - Jan 21, 1944)

 

After completing the invasion of the Italian island of Sicily in July 1943 in Operation Husky and capture of Sicily by mid-August 1943, the next Allied objective was the invasion of the Italian mainland, only 2 1/2 miles from Sicily across the Straits of Messina. 

 

The Naples-Foggia Campaign was the first operation of the invasion of Continental Italy.  The main invasion force landed around Salarno on September 9 on the western coast in Operation Avalanche, while two supporting operations took place in Calabria, which is located in the “toe” of Italy (Operation Baytown) and Taranto, which is located in the “heel” of Italy (Operation Slapstick).  See map on right.

  • Note: Marv did not arrive overseas until after Operation Avalanche.  NF

Above: Mainland Italy Campaign

Above: Mainland Italy Invasion

Organization of the Fifth Army at Salerno (Sept. 9 - Oct 6, 1943)

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The Fifth Army at Salerno was comprised of British and American Troops, including the British X Corps, the U.S. VI Corps, and the U.S. 82nd Airborn Division.

  • The U.S. VI Corps consisted of four divisions: 3rd Division, 34th Division, 36th Division, and 45th Division.

  • Note: Marv was assigned to the 34th Division (he was not part of the initial invasion as he did not arrive overseas until September 28, 1943.  NF

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The main invasion force landed on the western coast around SALERNO on September 9, 1943, during Operation Avalanche, while two supporting operations took place in CALABRIA, which is located in the “toe” of Italy (Operation Baytown), and TARANTO, which is located in the “heel” of Italy (Operation Slapstick).

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At SALERNO only three divisions of the Fifth Army -- two British and one American (36th Division) -- made up the initial assault force, with the British landing north of the SELE RIVER near MONTECORVINO and the Americans to the south of the river at PAESTUM.

  • The remaining American troops were held in Army reserve and entered SALERNO Sept. 21-25, 1943.  

  • The American invasion and follow-up troops departed from ORAN (Algeria), which was the U.S. staging, training, and rehearsal area for the invasion.

 

The 34th Division at SALERNO was comprised three Infantry Regiments: 133rd Infantry, 135th Infantry, and 168th Infantry.  

  • ​A small component of the 34th Division (51st Field Artillery Battalion of the 135th Division) went in on D-day, September 9th at SALERNO.  

  • As part of the follow-up troops, the majority of 34th Division troops went in on September 21st, dropping anchor in the GULF OF SALERNO northeast of PAESTUM.

  • Note: Based on troop movements and date of Marv's injury, it's likely he was assigned to the 34th Division's 135th Infantry Regiment, as a support signal troop.  NF

Above: Marv was assigned to the Fifth Army, U.S. VI Corps, 34th Division, 135th Infantry.

Above: Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark, Maj. Gen. Ernest J. Dawley, Maj. Gen. John P. Lucas, Maj. Gen. Charles W. Ryder, Pvt. Domenic M. Corgiat

Salerno, Operation Avalanche, Sept 9, 1943

 

  • Note: Although Marv was not a part of Operation Avalanche, these photos are included because of the historical significance of the invasion and to give an idea of what conditions were like shortly before Marv arrrived overseas.

  • Note: Click on photo for larger version and caption..

Hello Italy

 

September 28, 1943:  According to his Honorable Discharge, Marv departed for the "European Theater of Operations" on September 21 and arrived on September 28, 1943.  Based on Marv's shoulder insignia and where he was stationed in the U.S., he was assigned as a replacement troop to the 34th Division ("Red Bull Division").  And based on the date of Marv's injury (Dec. 8,1943) and dates of the 34th Division's movements and APO addresses, Marv was assigned to the Division's 135th Infantry Regiment. 

 

It's likely that Marv first disembarked at ORAN, ALGERIA (North Africa) because U.S. troops involved in the invasion of mainland Italy and its follow-up departed from ORAN, where they underwent training and rehearsals for the invasion at Salerno, code named Operation Avalanche, (Sept. 9, 1943). Additional evidence that Marv first landed overseas in Oran comes from the account of another soldier whose experience was similar to Marv's, in that that soldier's unit traveled to Italy around the same time as did Marv, traveling first by ship from the New York Port of Embarkation to Oran, next traveling by truck from Oran to Tunisia, and finally traveling by ship from Tunisa to a port in Naples  (2 days and 1 night).  (See previous page, Similar Stories).

 

Perhaps Marv's experience was similar to another soldier's account of his trip from the New York Port of Embarkation to Italy,  That soldier and his battalion departed the U.S. on Aug. 21, 1943, traveling by ship to  Oran (Algeria), arriving on Sept. 2.  The men occupied their time by playing cards, shooting dice, and sleeping, and received two meals per day.  After arriving in Oran, the unit traveled to a staging area.  "The land was barren and rocky and drinking water was scarce."  On Sept. 23, heavy rains necessitated that the battalion move to a different area, where they received some equipment and all of their vehicles.  From Oct. 10 - Nov. 9, the convoy embarked upon a 935 mile journey to Tunisia.  During their time in North Africa, the men had limited supplies; the soldier describe it as a "jungle".  During a chance meeting with the Red Cross, which had some stale donuts and hot coffee, the Red Cross asked a fee of 25¢ for each soldier to partake.  Having no cash with them, the men had to do without.  From Tunisa, the unit traveled by ship to a port in Naples. Most of the troops left Tunisia on Nov. 17 and arrived in Naples on Nov. 17.

  • Note: Marv arrived overseas on Sept. 28, 1943.  If his unit took the same amount of time as did the soldier's unit described above,  Marv would have arrived in Italy around Dec 7, only one day before he was wounded. This seems highly unlikely because he would have had to travel inland to meet up with his Division, and because the account that I read was for an entire Field Artillery Battalion.  Perhaps Marv went directly from Oran to the port of Italy or a port in the Gulf of Salerno, bypassing all that travel to Tunisia.  NF

 

Below is a list of the approximate route of the 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, from the time they landed in the Gulf of Salerno to Mount Pantano, where Marv was likely injured.  It's difficult to know when Marv landed in Italy,  But based on my research and the length of time it took for another unit's travels from the U.S. to mainland Italy via North Africa, Marv may not have arrived in Italy until the end of November.  

  • GULF OF SALURNO (northeast of Paestrum, Sept 21)

    • Click here to read an account of the 135th Infantry Regiment's landing at the Gulf of Salerno.

  • MONTEMARANO

  • MONTEFUSCO (Oct 1, bivouaced)

  • BENEVENTO (Oct 3)

  • MONTESARCHIO (Oct 7, no fighting with the enemy)

  • SQUILLE area (1st crossing of Volturno River, Oct 12-13)

  • ALVIGNANO area (2nd crossing of Volturno River, Oct 18)

  • ALIFE (Oct 20)

  • AILANO (Oct 25)

  • SANTA MARIA OLIVETO area (Nov 5)

  • PANTANO area (Dec 4)

  • MOUNT PANANO (Injured Dec 8)

Above: WW Transport, Oran (Algeria) and Approximate Route of the 34th Division through Dec. 8, 1943.

Note: Click on photo for larger version and caption,

Marv's March Up The Boot of Italy

Naples-Foggia Campaign

 

Based on Marv's assignment to the 34th Infantry Division and his assignment to its 135th Infantry Regiment, he would have been part of the following 34th Division troops movements during the Naples-Foggia Campaign. The maps and descriptions were extracted from multiple military records.

  • Note: The following is not intended to be a complete description of the Naples-Foggia Campaign; instead, the focus is on movements and battles that involved Marv's assigned unit--34th Division, 135th Infantry--while he was overseas.  NF

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September 28 & 30, 1943:  Contacting the enemy at the Calore River, on September 28, 1943, the 34th Division drove north to take BENEVENTO.

  • Note: Because Marv did not arrive overseas until September 28, 1943, he had not yet joined up with the 34th Division.  Perhaps Marv met up with the 34th Division on its way to Benevito, which is 47 miles inland from SALERNO, or when the 34th Division assembled in MONTESARCHIO after the 34th Division's 133rd Infantry captured BENEVENTO October 3.  (The 34th Division's other two infantries -- 135th and 168th Infantry -- did not engage in battle at BENEVIENTO, they were held in reserve.)  Or, perhaps Marv joined up with the 34th Division during its first crossing of the Volturno River, the night of October 12/13, 1943.  NF 

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October 2-3, 1943: The task of capturing BENEVENTO and securing Fifth Army's right flank was shared by the 34th Division (132rd, 135th, and 168th Regimental Combat Teams) and the 45th Division (157th, 179th, and 180th Regimental Combat Teams). On October 2, General Lucas ordered the 34th Division to capture the city.  Early the next morning the 133rd Infantry, after completing a difficult night march through a drizzling rain, entered the city and established a bridgehead across the river. That same day the 34th Division was placed in corps reserve and the task of expanding the bridgehead passed to the 45th Division. 

 

After the 133d Infantry had taken BENEVENTO on October 3, the 34th Division had been ordered to assemble in the vicinity of MONTESARCHIO, eighteen miles to the east of CASERTA.  (See Map 4.)  Although the march to this new area involved no fighting with the enemy, combating the weather and the rough mountain roads was a battle in itself. Beginning with a terrific thunderstorm, which struck the area on the evening of September 28, rain followed day after day. The curse of rain and mud dogged the footsteps of the troops all the way to the Volturno. When VI Corps ordered for the relief of the 30th Infantry reached General Ryder, the 34th Division was still in the process of assembling its troops around MONTESARCHIO.

Above: Fifth Army Advance the the Volturno River, October 2-9, 1943

Above: A Bridge near MONTESARCHIO was wrecked by the withdrawing enemy.  

Note: Marv likely was in this area.  

 

Demolitions reduced the stonework to rubble; the rails remained hanging in mid-air. Orders to the Goering Engineers were comprehensive, “Destroy: bridges, stations, water, gas and electricity works, factories, mills. Mine: roads, houses, and entrances to villages.”

Above: MONTESARCHIO, on Highway 7, has a narrow plain intensely cultivated. The trees support vines above the stubble of a grain field in this view near a 34th Division bivouac. MOUNT TABURNO, with olive trees terraced on its lower slopes, rises in the background.

Note: It's likely that Marv was in this area.  NF

October 8, 1943:  The task of relieving the 30th Infantry, which was in the valley east of CASERT, was assigned by General Ryder to the 135th Infantry. All the difficulties of rain, mud, and poor roads, which slowed the work of drawing the 30th Infantry out of line delayed the advance of the 135th Infantry. For the 34th Division to launch an effective attack across the river, more time was needed than original plans allowed. Since X Corps also required further time to get set, General Clark postponed the crossing to the night of October 12/13. This shift gave the 34th Division an additional three days in which to complete the assembling of troops, reconnoiter the river line, and work out the details of its plan of attack.”

 

October 10, 1943: By October 10, the 34th Division had completed the relief of all 3rd Division troops in its sector of the front and was working out the details of its plan of attack.  (See Map 5.)  Ahead of the division lay a jumbled mass of low hills resembling a clenched fist thrust out toward the high mountains to the southeast. At the foot of this hill mass the Volturno River flows in an irregular half circle like a moat protecting a medieval fortress. With the 34th Division troops in the valley and the enemy holding the hills behind the river, all the advantages of observation lay with the enemy. He would have to be driven back from the forward line of hills before it would be possible to put in bridges or even to make use of the roads leading to the bridge sites.

Above: Postions of the 34th Division before its first crossing of the VOLTURNO RIVER.

 

The VOLTURNO RIVER is a twisty river, so much so that the 34th Division had to cross it three times.  Each crossing of the river was further up the boot.

  • The lower right box is a symbol for the 34th Division, which completed relief of the 3rd Division (lower middle) in the valley east of Caserta.

  • Note: By now, perhaps Marv had met up with the 34th Division, as he has been oveseas since Septembee 28, 1943.  NF

Above: British troops advancing through the mud in the VOLTURNO RIVER area gives and idea of what the conditions were like where Marv was positioned.  

October 13-14, 1943, First Volturno River Crossing, 3rth Division: The first crossing of the VOLTURNO RIVER by the 34th Division began on the night of Oct 12-13 in the area of SQUILLE.

 

Before dawn on the morning of October 13, 1943, the American and British assault troops of the Fifth Army waded the rain-swollen Volturno River in the face of withering fire from German riflemen and machine gunners dug in along the northern bank. Water-soaked and chilled to the bone, our troops fought their way through enemy machine-gun pits and fox holes to establish a firm bridgehead. This crossing of the Volturno opened the second phase of the Allied campaign in Italy. Five weeks earlier the Fifth Army had landed on the hostile beaches of the Gulf of Salerno. Now it was attacking a well-defended river line.

 

Below is an excerpt from "WW2 History of the '34th Red Bull' Infantry Division" describing the 34th Division's first crossing over the VOLTURNO RIVER.

 

The Volturno River formed the first large obstacle which the Germans had decided to defend since the breakout from the beachhead. In the 34th Division sector, which was nearly 15 kilometers wide, the stream was swift and in some places deep enough to cover a man's head, with steep banks overgrown with shrubbery.

 

Patrols of a few men crossed the stream repeatedly to feel out the German positions; careful study was made of aerial photographs, and intelligence officers, by noting the direction of German tracer fire, were able to draw a quite complete and accurate picture of the German fire plan. While this was going on supplies of bridging equipment, artillery ammunition, and fuel were brought up in convoy after convoy. Surprise, if it could be achieved, would be decisive. Therefore all traffic near the river had to be squeezed into the hours of darkness, and so large were the movements that only superb traffic control prevented jams that might well have given away our whole plan.   By 12 October 12, like a tightly coiled spring, the Division was ready to snap into action.

 

As a result of the careful preparations the crossing was made rapidly and achieved great surprise. Preceded by an accurate artillery preparation the initial objective consisting of the high ground on the northern bank was reached, and the work of getting across supporting heavy weapons and supplies began.  The Germans used their artillery and mortars vigorously to try to prevent Division engineers from constructing the bridges and ferries necessary to support the combat troops. Yet, in spite of intense shelling which repeatedly punctured the inflated rubber pontoons, a treadway bridge was in operation on the day following the initial crossing. The infantry had advanced and had captured, in the face of heavy machine-gun fire, the series of hills less than 2000 yards north of the stream, and as soon as the supply line across the river was in service the advance began resolutely to take the town of Caiazzo, thus cutting the lateral highway which the Germans had been using to bring reserves to the threatened sector. Pushing rapidly north, across country in which there were very few and difficult roads, where cover was hard to obtain, and in the face of very strong opposition from infantry and armor, Divisioin troops reached ALVIGNANO, eight miles north of the VOLTLURNO RIVER, by October 17 

 

Below is an excerpt from “Regimental History of the 135th Infantry” describing the 135th Infantry Regiment's first crossing over the VOLTURNO RIVER.

 

"The attack jumped off at 0200A night of 12-13 and at 1250A “E” Company 'E' Company had effected its crossing and started prisoners back.  By 0600A 'B' Company had reached it first phase line across the river.  The balance of the 2nd Battalion crossed the river and after neutralizing enemy positions that had been by-passed north of SQUILLE, the Battalion was reorganized and prepared to go forward to the 2nd objective.   The Regimental Forward Command Group crossed the river and set up northeast of SQUILLE at 0345A on 14 October.  That morning at 0400A the 1st Battalion took their objective, Hill 283. Elemental of the 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion moved 4 guns to the top of the hill, wand with selected hull-down positions, they could fire over the hill.  There were several threatened counter-attacks on the positions of the assault battalions, but none of serious proportions developed."​

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Above: FIRST CROSSING OF THE VOLTURNO RIVER by the 34th Division.

The two boxes on the right show (south of F. Calore and north of Dugent) the positions of 135th Infantry troops, each box probably represents a battalion (an infantry is usually comprised of three battalions).  

  • Note: Had Marv met up with the 34th Division by this time, he was likely in one of the two 135th Infantry locations.

Above: American assault troops  crossing the VOLTURNO RIVER, October 1943.

The specific Division, exact location of the crossing are unknown.

Above: Gunners pick up shells in a flooded 5.5-inch gun position on the Volturno front, October 1943.

Above: An Otter light reconnaissance car crossing a Bailey bridge over the VOLTURNO RIVER at GRAZZANISE, October 14 or 15, 1943.

  • Note: Grazzanise, Italy, is 23 miles west of where Marv's 34th Division crossed the Volturno River October 13-14 (first crossing).  NF

  • This photo is likely of British Corps X troops because by October 17, after enemy attacks had forced them back west of the Triflisco Gap, they "were able to move tanks of the 7 Armoured Division across the river at Grazzanise."

Above: The Combat Engineer in the Italian Campaign, Naples to Cassino 5:25

A short, black and white, narrated video of British and U.S. soldiers advancing and constructing a bridge over the Volturno River during the first crossing. 

Above: Soldiers Cross Volturno River 0:33

A short, black and white, narrated video clip of American tanks rolling across a pontoon bridge on the VOLTURNO RIVER and the nearby muddy terrain.  Dated October 1, 1943.

October 14, 1943: On October 14th, the 34th Division was across the VOLTURNO RIVER (first crossing was on the night of Oct 12-13) but not yet ready to move. In its sector the engineers, hampered by observed artillery fire, had been unable to construct either of the bridges which had been planned for the division's supply. Water, rations, and ammunition had to be brought across the river by hand or in assault boats and then transported by carrying parties over six miles of rugged terrain. Nevertheless, preparations were made to carry out the new orders.

 

The 34th was to move up the VOLTURNO RIVER VALLEY beyond ALVIGNANO and then cross to the 45th Division sector on the east side of the river, where the enemy had already been pushed from the heights dominating the VOLTURNO-CALORY VALLEY as far north as FAICCHIO. (See Map 17.)

Above: A wounded German prisoner awaits medical treatment along the bank of the VOLTURNO RIVER on October 17, 1943.

October 15-19, 1943:  After the 34th Division completed its first crossing of the VOLTURNO RIVER on October 14th, the Division advanced northwest for to get in position for its second crossing of the VOLTURNO RIVER.  (See Map 20).

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  • After crossing Highway 87, the 135th captured the village of RUVIANO (Oct 15), then it continued in a northwest direction and captured HILL 220 (Oct 17) and HILL 204 (Oct 18).

  • After crossing Highway 87 between the towns of RUVIANO and CAIAZZO, the 133rd Infantry continued in a northwest directions, to the left of the 135th Infantry toward the town of ALVIGNANO, which it captured.

  • After crossing Highway 87, near the town of CAIAZZON, the 168th Infantry continued in a northwest direction to the town of DRAGONI, which it captured.

 

Below is an excerpt from Salerno to Cassino, by Martin Blumenson, Center of Military History, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C., 1993, p 211.

"The 135th Infantry had captured the village of Ruviano on the morning of 15 October, but in the rolling grainfields, vineyards, and olive groves immediately beyond the regiment met still resistance that slowed progress.  Trying to get his troops moving, General Ryder on the morning of 16 October instructed the 168th Infantry on the left to attack along the road from Caiazzo to Alvignano, a village about halfway between the Volturno River and Dragoni.  He hoped thus to loosen the resistance beyond Ruviano.  The 168th Infantry also struck firm opposition; it took a day of hard fighting ro move about two iles to Alvignano."  

Above: The immediate task of the 34th Division after it crossed the VOLTURNO RIVER  for the first time and after it took CAIAZZO was to drive the enemy up the VOLTURNO RIVER VALLEY beyond DRAGONI.

  • The 135th Infantry of the 34th Division is below RUVIANO (see Map 20, bottom right).

    • After  crossing the river for the first time, the 135th Infantry (Marv's assigned unit) did not go all the way to Alvignano.  Instead, it advanced in a northwest direction from the town of RUVIANO and captured HILL 220 (Oct 17) and HILL 204 (Oct 17) east of Alvignano.  Then the 135th crossed the river for the second time.

  • The 133rd Infantry of the 34th Divsion is near ALVIGNANO (see Map 20, center).

    • After  crossing the river first time, the 133rd Infantry advanced in a northwest direction and helped captured the town of AVIGNANO (Oct 17). Then the 133rd crossed the river for the second time.

  • The 168th Infantry of the 34th Division is above CAIAZZO (See Map 20, bottom middle).

    • After  crossing the river for the first time, the 168th Infantry advanced in a northwest direction and helped captured the town of DRAGONI (Oct 19).  Then the 168th crossed the river for the second time.

October 18-20, 1943, Second Volturno River Crossing:  The second crossing of the VOLTURNO RIVER by the 34th Division began on the night of Oct 18/19 when leading elements of Company I, 135th Infantry, began their crossing of the river at 2:30 a.m. October 19 near the ALVIGNANO bridge.  They met no opposition as they slipped down the low banks and waded through the icy water to the plain on the other side. The remainder of the 3d Battalion crossed after daylight and took up positions on the road to ALIFE.  The 135th completed its crossing at 1:55 a.m. on morning of October 20.  As soon as the 135th Infantry was across the river, it advanced toward the town of ALIFE.  (See Map 21)

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During the day of October 19th,  patrols went into the old walled town and found it full of mines and booby traps. The bridge across the swift mountain stream was demolished. The streets were filled with rubble, for the town had been hit with good results by B-25’s of the Tactical Bomber Force on the night of 12/13 October. The 3d Battalion, 133d Infantry, and the 100th Battalion forded the river after dark and closed in on the flats south of ALIFE, with the enemy in the olive groves on the high ground overlooking them. The 135th Infantry completed its second crossing of the VOLTURNO RIVER on the foggy morning of October 20.  (See Map 21)

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Each of each of the 34th Division's three Infantry Regiments crossed the VOLTURNO RIVER at different locations.  (See Map 21).

  • The 135th Infantry crossed the river to the right of the 133rd. 

  • The 133rd Infantry crossed the river between the 135th and 168th.

  • The 168th Infantry cross the river to the left of the 133rd. 

Above: SECOND CROSSING OF THE VOLTURNO RIVER by the 34th Division.

Map Symbols: The letter or number to the left of the symbol (box) indicates the unit designation (e.g, a company's letter, a battalion's number.  The number to the right of the box indicates the designation of the parent unit (e.g.,  division's number or an infantry's number).  Vertical lines above box indicates if the unit is a company (|), battalion (II) or infantry regiment (III).  For example, the lowest box = 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment; the upper right box = 135th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion.

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Each of the 34th Division's Infantry Regiments (133rd, 135th, 168th) crossed the VOLTURNO RIVER at different locations.

  • After HILL 220 was captured (Oct 17) and HILL 204 (Oct 18) was captured, the 135th Infantry crossed the river on the right. 

    • ​On the morning of October 19th, the 3rd Battalion of the 135th Infantry crossed the river carrying their wire with them, and secured a bridgehead.  The 1st Battalion crossed and went into position on the left of the road running to ALIFE, with the 3rd Battalion on the right followed by the 2nd Battalion.  The 135th completed its crossing at 1:55 a.m. on morning of October 20.  As soon as the 135th Infantry was across the river, it advanced town ALIFE.  (see Map 21)

    • Note: Does "carrying their wire with them" mean the linemen went at that time? (Marv was an Infantry Lineman).   NF

  • After the town of ALVIGNONO was captured (Oct 17), the 133rd Infantry crossed the river in the middle (right of 168th and left of 145th)

  • After the town of DRAGONI was captured (Oct 19), the 168th Infantry crossed the river to the left of the 133rd Infantry.

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Below is an excerpt from Salerno to Cassino, by Martin Blumenson, Center of Military History, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C., 1993, p 212.

"That night [Oct 19] the 135th Infantry forded the Volturno near the Alvignano bridge, moving during the hours of darkness to avoid enemy artillery fire.  Hampered by swampy ground, sporadic German artillery fire, and occasional mine fields, the regiment moved north for four miles along the Alvignano-Alife road during the dark and foggy morming of 20 October.  That afternoon troops entered teh hold walled village of Alife.  Bombed by B-25's a week earlier, Alife was a mass of rubble, its bridge destroyed, its ruins full of mines and booby traps left by the Germans."

Above: North of CAIAZZO the road from Highway 87 to DRAGONI, route of the 34th's advance, runs through this valley.  A German prisoner of war reported that on October 11th the men of his company were told they would move to CAIAZZO if the Americans should cross the VOLTURNO RIVER.  AT CAIAZZO they would try to make a stand and, if necessary, fight their way back along this highway to the rear, even if the unit were encircled.​

Above: Infantrymen march through DRAGONI. Early on October 19 a message came from a 3d Division observation post, "Heavy fog along west side of river.... Can't see Dragoni but heard bells ringing." At almost the same time elements of the 168th Infantry reported that they had entered the town without opposition.

Note: The 135th Infantry (Marv's assigned unit) did not enter DRAGONI.  NF

Above: The Highway bridge across the VOLTURNO RIVER on the road from DRAGONI To ALIFE  was blown by the Germans just before the 34th Division reached it. By 21 October trucks were crossing over the ponton bridge, seen in the center

  • Note: This is where the 168th Infantry crossed the river; the 135th Infantry (Marv's assigned unit) crossed the river about a half mile to the right.  NF

 

Below is an excerpt from "WW2 History of the '34th Red Bull' Infantry Division" describing the 34th Division's second crossing over the VOLTURNO RIVER.

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"By this time, our troops were again on the Volturno River, for the stream here was flowing almost at right angles to the direction it had at the point where our first crossing was made. At the hamlet of Marguerita, northeast of Dragoni, the river was spanned by a bridge which the Germans had not yet blown. A spirited effort by the 133rd Infantry, which had relieved the 168th Infantry, to capture this bridge intact had almost succeeded, but in spite of this failure our advance continued without pause, capturing the crossroads of Alife. Here the Division was ordered to turn northwest and advance along the ridges north of the river valley to Capriati." 

Above: SELF-PROPELLED 105-MM HOWITZER crossing the VOLTURNO RIVER on a pontoon treadway bridge. A pontoon bridge uses floats or shallow-draft to support a continuous deck for pedestrian and vehicle travel.

Above: The U.S. 5th Army "Manhattan Bridge", named for the bridge over the East River in New York, over the VOLTURNO RIVER in Italy. Pontoon bridge was erected east of DRAGONI to replace stone bridge demolished by retreating Germans.

Above: The VOLTURNO RIVER VALLEY and the hills beyond were to be the scenes of the second phase of the invasion of Italy.  In the background, artillery fire against German defenses prepares the way for the next attack.

Above: The VOLTURNO VALLEY stretches out below the forward slopes of MOUNT TIFATA. In the foreground Highway 87 runs parallel to the river as far as TRIFLISCO GAP, then doubles back along the north bank. In the central background is the MOUNT CARUSO hill mass.

October 20, 1943:  As soon as the 135th Infantry completed its crossing of the VOLTURNO RIVER at 1:55 a.m. on the foggy morning of October 20, it advanced northwest up the VOLTURNO RIVER VALLEY toward the town of ALIFE.  The infantry was delayed during the morning as it crossed the valley, which is cut by deep and swift canals. Demolition of bridges slowed the progress of the 776th Tank Destroyer Battalion, which moved along the poplar-lined road to support the attack. The 3d Battalion, hampered only by sporadic artillery fire and occasional minefields, entered bomb-blasted ALIFE before daylight on the 20th.

 

 When the fog lifted unexpectedly during the middle of the morning, the 1st Battalion was caught in the open flats southwest of the town. The enemy, in the hills above, immediately poured rifle and machinegun fire on the men and kept them pinned down. Until dark the battalion received considerable artillery fire and also encountered for the first time the German rocket gun, the Nebelwerfer. Meanwhile, the 45th Division occupied PIEDIMONTE D'ALIFE to the northeast and on October 20 was placed in corps reserve. The right flank was secure, and the 34th Division was ready to take the place of the 45th and begin its drive up the valley toward CAPRIATI A VOLTURNO.​

Above: The 133rd Infantry of the 34th Division advanced to the town of  SANT'ANGELO D'ALIFE October 20-24.  On the afternoon of October 20, the 133rd Infantry was ordered to to advance against Sant' Angelo d'Alife at 4:00 p.m. town was captured on October 23.

 

Below is an excerpt from Salerno to Cassino by Martin Blumenson, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D.C., 1993, p 213.

Placing his 135th Infantry in division reserv at Atlife, General Ryder extend the control of his 168th Infantry over DRAGoni to free the 3d Division for an advance to the northwest, and ssent the 133d Infantry into the narrowing  Volturno Valley toward Sant'Angelo d'Alife, five miles away.  

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On the afternoon of October 20, the 133rd Infantry was ordered to to advance against Sant' Angelo d'Alife at 4:00 p.m.  The 135th Infantry was placed in division reserve at ALIFE.  General Ryder extedn the control of his 168th Infantry ove Dragoni to fee the 3rd Divsion for an adnace ot the norhtwest 

  • The 34th Division captured S. ANGELO D'ALIFE on October 23.  

  • Note: I was not able to find activity of the 34th Division's 135th and 168th Infantry Regiments during this time.  Perhaps they were still in ALIFE.  NF

 

In early December 1943, after the 34th Divison was relieved on Mount Pantaneo, the Divison withdrew for rest, training, and replacements to the area of SANT'ANGELO D'ALIFE.

Above: American medic James L. Parks of the 34th Division, 133rd Infantry,  carrying a wounded German through the streets of in SANT'ANLGELO D'ALIFE on October 23, 1943.

October 25-28, 1943:  The immediate task was to clear the upper VOLTURNO VALLEY.   The next objective of the 34th Division was the high ground around AILANO and MOUNT CAVUTO.   This involved a series of attacks from multiple military forces, including the 34th Division.  After the enemy retreated from HILL 235 during the night of October 27/28, the 34th Division advanced north beyond the junction of the LETE and VOLTURNO RIVERS. (see Map 23)

Above: The next objective of the 34th Division was the high ground around AILANO and MOUNT CAVUTO.

  • 135th Infantry, 345th Division Movements:

    • ​The 3rd Battalion, 135th Infantry, was to climb the steep slopes of the hills, flank AILANO to the north, and cut the road from AILANO to VALLE AGRICOLA.

    • The 2d Battalion, 135th Infantry, was to drive up the valley over more broken terrain and flank AILANO to the south.

    • The 3rd Battalion, 135th Infantry, moved up during the night of  October 25/26 and advanced before dawn over the hills above RAVISCANINA.  At 5:30 a.m. divisional artillery began firing successive concentrations that progressed at the rate of one hundred yards every six minutes.

    • The 3d Battalion, 135th Infantry climbed slowly over the wooded mountainsides above RAVISCANINA and AILANO.  Enemy opposition was slight, and the battalion crossed the road between AILANO and VALLE AGRICOLA during the afternoon and occupied HILL 559.

  • 168th Infantry, 34th Division Movements:

    • By nightfall on October 27,  elements of the 8th Panzer Grenadier Regiment on HILL 235 had shown the strength and stubbornness of their resistance. General Ryder ordered the 168th Infantry, which was in reserve, to pass through the 135th Infantry and renew the attack next morning.

    • A heavy artillery concentration started at 9:30 a.m.; at the same time twenty-four A-36's bombed PRATELLA and the bridge to the south over the LETE RIVER.

    • The 2d Battalion, 168th Infantry, assaulted HILL 235 at 10:00 a.m. The Germans had withdrawn during the night. From this small hill in the center of a valley twelve hundred yards wide, flanked by the mountain and the river, the enemy had for two days successfully held up the advance of the 34th Division. Another typical enemy delaying action was over, and our troops plunged on west to the LETE RIVER.

  • After the enemy retreated from HILL 235, the 34th Division advanced north beyond the junction of the LETE and VOLTURNO RIVERS. 

Above: HILL 235, two knobs joined by a shallow saddle, provided the Germans with defilade for tanks and concealment for infantrymen. The larger of the two knobs is shown. The ALIFE-PRATELLA highway is about one thousand yards to the left (west); a narrow ravine some twelve feet deep runs across the base of the hill to the right. Shell fragments from American artillery literally cover the ground.

October 29-November 3, 1943: On October 29, the 135th Infantry drove up the road and occupied PRATELLA (west of AILANO) and PRATA (north of AILANO) long the  LETE RIVER, finding that Hill 325 in the narrow valley by PRATELLA was fortunately not held by enemy rearguard troops. On October 31, the 133d and 168th Infantry continued up the LETE VALLEY and then into the SAVA RIVER VALLEY. To protect the division left flank, the 133d Infantry climbed over the steep, brush-covered mountains on the left and occupied CIORLANO, a village clinging to the terraced slopes of La Croce Hill. The 168th Infantry took FONTEGRECA and, on November 1, drove on to CAPRIATI A VOLTURNO.  During the next two days the 34th Division drove the remaining enemy forces northwest toward Highway 85. To continue the pursuit the division would have to make a third crossing of the VOLTURNO RIVER.  (See Map 24)

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Above: On October 29, the 135th Infantry drove up the road and occupied PRATELLA and PRATA along the LETE RIVER

Above: The town of PRATELLA, with HILL 325 on the right, is typical of many small hill towns near the head of the VOLTURNO RIVER. On October 30, the enemy harassed the 34th Division from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., concentrating his fire on the road running through PRATELLA, whcih is along the LETE RIVER. Reports indicated that at least twenty-five pieces were firing from seven different locations in this area.

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Above: "Autumn in Italy is by far the wettest season of the year.  October and November rainfall in the country through which the VI Corps was fighting will usually exceed four inches in each month.  The picture above shows wire being laid through the rain-flooded country in the vicinity of PIETRAVARIAN." 

  • Note: As a Field Lineman, Marv did such work.  He never spoke about fastening wire to poles, stakes, or trees, but he did say that he rolled a wire wheel.   NF

September 17, 1943 - October 31, 1943, 135th Infantry, Actions and Losses:  Below is a summary of 135th Infantry, 34th Division, actions and losses in action clipped from Regimental History for Period 15 May 1943 to 31 October 1943, pages 31-32.

Scrapbook Items: The following items were pasted in the scapbook kept by Marv's mother.

Above: The caption was torn off; however, part of the caption states this was in Italy.  

Above: Unknown Location.

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Right: Marv's Army enlisted rank insignia: Corporal.  Since he was a private overseas, he must have been promoted after he returned, perhaps when he became an Arts and Crafts Instructor at Camp Atterbury, Alabama.

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The poem is by American poet Berton Braley  (1882-1966).  In trying to find out more about him, I came across the Berton Braley Cyber Museum.  The website lists poems by Braley but not this one, so I e-mailed a copy of the poem to website's webmaster on 6/23/2016.  (His reply is posted below.) 

 

According to the Berton Brayley Cyber Museum website, after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Braley went to Washington, D. C. as a writer of the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs.

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June 29, 2016

 

Dear Nancy Ford,

 

Thank you very much for sharing this Braley poem with me.

 

I had not seen it before. Most likely it is from his WWI period in Europe when he joined the US troops there. Braley used to publish a weekly poem in the NYT.

 

Of course I will gladly add it to the website, when I perform maintenance on it again and I can even credit you for the find if you choose to.

 

Cordially,

Peter Leeflang

Berton Braley Cyber Museum

www.bertonbraley.com

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