Battle of Rapido River

Battle of Rapido River
Part of the Winter Line and the battle for Rome,
Italian Campaign of World War II

American soldiers bring back wounded during the attempt to cross the Gari River near Cassino, Italy, January 1944
Date20–22 January 1944
Location
Gari River, Italy
41°26′41″N 13°49′57″E / 41.44472°N 13.83250°E / 41.44472; 13.83250
Result German victory
Belligerents
United States United States Nazi Germany Germany
Commanders and leaders
United States Mark Clark
United States Geoffrey Keyes
United States Fred Walker
Nazi Germany Heinrich von Vietinghoff
Nazi Germany Frido von Senger und Etterlin
Strength
United States 36th Infantry Division Nazi Germany 15th Panzergrenadier Division
Casualties and losses
155 killed
1,052 wounded
921 captured or missing[1]
64 killed
179 wounded[2]

The Battle of Rapido River was fought from 20 to 22 January 1944 during one of the Allies' many attempts to breach the Winter Line during the Italian Campaign of World War II. Despite its name, the battle occurred on the Gari River.[3]

Units of the US 36th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Fred Walker crossed the Gari River in boats and seized the west bank of the river. However, the Americans were cut off from reinforcements and subjected to heavy fire and counterattacks from elements of the German 15th Panzergrenadier Division. The 36th Infantry Division suffered very high losses, and after two days of fighting, the survivors retreated across the river.

  1. ^ U.S. House, Committee on Military Affairs (1946). The Rapido River Crossing. U.S. Govt. print. off.
  2. ^ Schultz, Duane (2012). "Rage Over the Rapido". History Net.
  3. ^ 1944: la battaglia di S.Angelo in Theodice e la confusione tra i fiumi Rapido e Gari Archived 17 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine, 1944: the Battle of St. Angelo in Theodice and the Confusion between Rapido and the Gari Rivers.