Ortona in WW2 History | World War II Database

10 Dec 1943

Photo(s) dated 10 Dec 1943

Lieutenant I. Macdonald (with binoculars) of 48th Highlanders of Canada regiment at San Leonardo di Ortona, Italy, 10 Dec 1943; the soldiers were, left to right, Sergeant J. T. Cooney, Private A. R. Downie, Private O. E. Bernier, Private G. R. Young, Corporal T. Fereday, and Private S. L. Hart

20 Dec 1943

Italy

Canadian troops assaulted "The Gully" in Italy, only to find that the German troops had already fallen back to Ortona. The Canadians attempted to advance to Ortona, but was driven back by heavy machine gun fire. ww2dbase [Advance to the Gustav Line | Ortona, Abruzzo | CPC]

21 Dec 1943

Italy

Canadian 1st Division attacked Ortona, Italy, beginning a period of tough street fighting in the town. ww2dbase [Advance to the Gustav Line | Ortona, Abruzzo | TH, CPC]

Photo(s) dated 21 Dec 1943

Private Jack Bailey of Canadian Perth Regiment sniping at Germans, Ortona, Italy, 29 January 1944; note Enfield Pattern 1914 rifle with Warner & Swasey Telescopic Sight Model 1913 and Bren light machine gun

24 Dec 1943

Italy

New Zealand 5th Infantry Brigade engaged in combat along the Gustav Line in Italy. In Ortona, Italy, German troops counterattacked against Canadian positions and caused heavy casualties. ww2dbase [Advance to the Gustav Line | Ortona, Abruzzo | CPC]

28 Dec 1943

Italy

Canadian 1st Division succeeded in taking Ortona, Italy after a heavy battle with German airborne troops; the Germans fell back across the Moro River. ww2dbase [Advance to the Gustav Line | Ortona, Abruzzo | TH, CPC]

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
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