Combat· World War II
Operation SHINGLE (Anzio Landings)
Operation SHINGLE was the Allied landing at Anzio, behind the German lines in Italy, meant to break a stalled front and open the road to Rome.
The plan was bold but the beachhead became a long and costly struggle, as German forces ringed the landing zone and held the Allies in place for months before the breakout finally came. Marines were present in their usual European role rather than as a fighting unit. Ship's detachments served aboard the warships that carried and supported the landing force and provided gunfire against German positions. Marine officers also contributed to the naval planning and staff work behind the operation. As at the other Italian landings, the Marine part was small and tied to the Navy's ships and headquarters, not to a Marine ground formation.
Podcast episodes on World War II
Record no. 591