Rome-Arno Campaign

January 22 1944 - September 9 1944

Main goal: Allies try to liberate Rome which was under German control

There were 3 major defense lines:

- The Barbara Line

-The Bernhard/Reinhard Line

-The Gustav Line

Gustav Line was the most heavily guarded. Allied forces decided to attack this line and named the attack Operation Diadem. It was an unsuccessful attempt to break the Gustav Line on January 22nd. The Allies tried to attack German forces again in March at Monte Cassino, but they were still unsuccessful. The Allied Air Force stopped all goods from reaching the German forces in Italy. They were able to take Rome on June 4, 1944. The attack on this line was in a bigger plan to get as many German troops to Italy so the Allies could get to the English Channel, which would be later be known as D-Day. The 36th division made a gap in the line which allowed the other units to force the Germans to retreat to the north.

The allied forces pushed the Germans all the way up north to the Arno River by June 21st. The allies then called a halt to prepare for the final battles of war. By September 9th, the Rome-Arno campaign was over.