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    Anzio (Operation Shingle): An Operational Perspective
    Anzio (Operation Shingle): An Operational Perspective
    Anzio (Operation Shingle): An Operational Perspective
    Ebook61 pages1 hour

    Anzio (Operation Shingle): An Operational Perspective

    By Captain Stephen P. Gray

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    This case study analyzes the role of operational art in Allied operations at Anzio, Italy and the battle for Rome (January 22-June 4, 1944). As part of the Allied Campaign in Italy, the amphibious assault on Anzio-code-named Operation Shingle, and the subsequent drive to Rome remains one of the most controversial military operations in history. Although the Allies eventually captured Rome from the Germans, the failure to use 'operational thinking' led to a poorly planned and executed operation.
    Most historical accounts blame the failures at Anzio on the lack of aggressiveness by the Operation Shingle commander Major General John P. Lucas. However, when viewed in the larger context of the strategy to defeat Germany and the Allied Campaign in Italy, Operation Shingle is a showcase of failure at the operational level of war. Political rather than military considerations drove Shingle-dooming the operation from the start.
    Anzio demonstrates the importance of linking tactical actions to operational and strategic objectives. At the strategic level of war, the Allies had a sound strategy to defeat Germany. However, at the operational level of war, the decision to launch Shingle did not adequately assess risk. In operational design, commanders failed to define an objective, lacked sufficient mass, and did not include alternative plans based on potential enemy actions. During planning and preparation, the Allies misjudged the enemy's center of gravity and failed to exploit valuable intelligence. During execution, operational leadership lacked initiative. Finally, the complexity and tensions created by the combined operation made unity of effort difficult. These lessons should benefit future operations.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLucknow Books
    Release dateAug 15, 2014
    ISBN9781782897262
    Anzio (Operation Shingle): An Operational Perspective

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      Book preview

      Anzio (Operation Shingle) - Captain Stephen P. Gray

      This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING—www.picklepartnerspublishing.com

      To join our mailing list for new titles or for issues with our books – picklepublishing@gmail.com

      Or on Facebook

      Text originally published in 1994 under the same title.

      © Pickle Partners Publishing 2014, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

      Publisher’s Note

      Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

      We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

      ANZIO (OPERATION SHINGLE): AN OPERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

      By

      Stephen P. Gray Captain, United States Air Force

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Contents

      TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

      ABSTRACT 5

      PREFACE 6

      CHAPTER I — INTRODUCTION 7

      Strategic Framework 7

      CHAPTER II — DECISION 13

      CHAPTER III — PLANNING AND PREPARATION 15

      Command Relationships 15

      Concept of Operations 16

      Planning 18

      Preparation 19

      CHAPTER IV — OPERATIONS AT ANZIO 22

      Battle Ashore 23

      German Counterattack 26

      Breakout from Anzio 27

      Advance to Rome 28

      CHAPTER V — OPERATIONAL LESSONS LEARNED 30

      APPENDIX I — ALLIED ORDER OF BATTLE 31

      APPENDIX II — GERMAN ORDER OF BATTLE 33

      REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 35

      BIBLIOGRAPHY 36

      ABSTRACT

      This case study analyzes the role of operational art in Allied operations at Anzio, Italy and the battle for Rome (January 22-June 4, 1944). As part of the Allied Campaign in Italy, the amphibious assault on Anzio—code-named Operation Shingle, and the subsequent drive to Rome remains one of the most controversial military operations in history. Although the Allies eventually captured Rome from the Germans, the failure to use 'operational thinking' led to a poorly planned and executed operation.

      Most historical accounts blame the failures at Anzio on the lack of aggressiveness by the Operation Shingle commander Major General John P. Lucas. However, when viewed in the larger context of the strategy to defeat Germany and the Allied Campaign in Italy, Operation Shingle is a showcase of failure at the operational level of war. Political rather than military considerations drove Shingle—dooming the operation from the start.

      Anzio demonstrates the importance of linking tactical actions to operational and strategic objectives. At the strategic level of war, the Allies had a sound strategy to defeat Germany. However, at the operational level of war, the decision to launch Shingle did not

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