Battle of Collecchio

Battle of Collecchio
Part of the Spring 1945 offensive in Italy during World War II

German Colonel Kleiber in preliminary discussions with Brazilian Major Franco Ferreira, in Fornovo di Taro, about the surrender of the German 148. Infanterie-Division (plus remnants of the 90. Grenadier-Division), ending the Battle of Collecchio, in 29 April 1945.
Date26–29 April 1945
(3 days)
Location
Collecchio and Fornovo di Taro, Italian Social Republic
44°44′59″N 10°12′56″E / 44.749659°N 10.215569°E / 44.749659; 10.215569
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Units involved
Nazi Germany 148th Infantry Division
Nazi Germany 90th Panzergrenadier Division
29th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Italian) (Division was disbanded during battle)
Italian Social Republic 1st Bersaglieri Division
Italian Social Republic 4th Alpini Division		 Vargas Era 1st Infantry Division
Vargas Era 1st Connection and Observation Squadron
United States 751st Tank Battalion
United States 894th Tank Battalion
One Partisan company
Casualties and losses
500 German dead and wounded
14,779 soldiers surrendered (Germans and Italians)		 Vargas Era 45 dead and wounded
Unknown
United States Unknown
Battle of Collecchio is located in Italy
Battle of Collecchio
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Location of Fornovo di Taro in Italy's Po Valley

The Battle of Collecchio-Fornovo (26–29 April 1945) was a battle of the Second World War between the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (Força Expedicionária Brasileira – FEB), along with Italian partisans and units from the American 1st Armored and 92nd Infantry Divisions, against the Wehrmacht's 148th Infantry Division, 90th Panzergrenadier Divisions and the fascist National Republican Army's 1st Bersaglieri "Italia" and the 4th Alpini "Monte Rosa" Divisions.[1][2] The battle was fought around the town of Fornovo di Taro, about 8 miles (13 km) to the southwest of Parma, Italy. The Allies defeated the Axis forces, which were attempting to break through to the north.[3][4]

On 28 April, the Brazilian 6th RCT followed up with an attack on Fornovo, with German General Otto Fretter-Pico surrendering the 148th Division, with almost 15,000 German and Fascist Italian troops at the morning of 29 April.[3]

  1. ^ Donato 1996, p. 256 & 291.
  2. ^ Chase 1995, p. 90.
  3. ^ a b Donato 1996, p. Ibidem.
  4. ^ Bohmler 1964, Chapter IX (final).