ITALY
COREGLIA ANTELMINELLI in the mountains west of the Serchio River. This region was being held by an American Negro infantry division. On the morning of 26 December 1944 a mixed enemy force of Germans and Italians started an attack in this vicinity and pushed the division back several miles. An Indian brigade was rushed up to halt the advance of the enemy. Since it was feared that the enemy might break through and threaten the Allied supply base at Leghorn, reinforcements were rushed to the area to protect the vital base. On the night of the 27th the Indians made contact with the enemy who started to retreat. By 31 December almost all the lost territory had been regained and the line was again stabilized.
ITALY
A SOUTH AFRICAN ARMORED UNIT in the Reno River valley firing at German positions across the river, November 1944. Combat action in the Fifth Army sector during November and the first half of December was largely confined to patrol activities and artillery duels. The South African armored division had been transferred from the Eighth Army to the Fifth Army in late August 1944.
ITALY
TANK MAINTENANCE POST in abandoned Italian farmhouse. During the long winter stalemate time was utilized to make major repairs on armored vehicles. Minor repairs, such as thrown tracks, were made at forward maintenance posts such as the above which was located only about 400 yards behind the front lines. (1, medium tank M4A1; 2 and 3, 76-mm. gun motor carriage M18; 4, medium tank M4A1; 5, medium tank M4, with 76-mm. gun (note different gun mount); 6, tank recovery vehicle M31.)
ITALY