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Combat Narratives

Below are selected infantry narratives written to document lessons learned during the Italian Campaign. They provide insight into combat operations and a glimpse into the chaos of battle. Where possible, maps referenced in a document's text were added. Not all maps are included as they have not yet been located. For a complete list of narratives, visit the Donovan Research Library.

Operations of 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry in Clearing a Regimental Supply Route to Roccasecca

Jones, Erwin B.

May 21, 1944

Battalion S-3

Experience of:

Infantry Clearing a Supply Route in Mountainous Terrain

Operation:

Operations of Company A, 350th Infantry at Monterumici, Northwest of Anconella

Swett, Daniel H.

April 17, 1945

Platoon Leader

Experience of:

Infantry Company Attacking Village in Mountainous Terrain

Operation:

Operations of Company H, 350th Infantry at Monterumici South of Bologna

Danley, Earl E.

April 15, 1945

Company Commander

Experience of:

Heavy Weapons Company Attacking a Mountain Objective

Operation:

Operations of the 2nd Battalion, 338th Infantry in Taking Mt. Della Formiche

Bloch, Orville E.

October 10, 1944

Platoon Leader

Experience of:

Battalion in the Attack

Operation:

Operations of Company A, 349th Infantry at the Town of Belvedere

Barker, John P.

September 30, 1944

Platoon Leader

Experience of:

Infantry Company Attacking a Small Town in Mountainous Terrain

Operation:

Operations of Company A, 86th Mountain Regiment in Attack on Mancinello-Campiano Ridge

Neidner, William S.

February 16, 1945

Company Commander

Experience of:

Infantry Company in the Assault of a Mountainous Ridge Under Cover of Darkness

Operation:

Operations of the 1st Battalion, 85th Mountain Infantry North of Bagni Di Lucca

Simpson, Edward H.

January 20, 1945

Battalion S-3

Experience of:

Combat Patrols

Operation:

Operations of the 2nd Battalion, 349th Infantry in the Breakthrough and Pursuit to the Po River

Behnke, Paul R.

April 15, 1945

Company Commander

Experience of:

Battalion in the Attack

Operation:

Operations of Company A, 350th Infantry at Furcoli, Northwest of Loiano

Stroup, Ray B.

February 1, 1945

Company Commander

Experience of:

Rifle Company in a Night Combat Patrol to Capture Prisoners

Operation:

Operations of Company E, 442nd Infantry Regiment at San Terazzo

Akins, Thomas W.

April 20, 1945

Company Commander

Experience of:

Company in the Attack

Operation:

Operations of the 1st Battalion, 86th Mountain Regiment on Riva Ridge

Nilsson, Erwin G.

February 17, 1945

Heavy Weapons Company Commander

Experience of:

Battalion in a Night Attack

Operation:

Operations of the 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry at Mount Battaglia

Scherer, Bernard J.

September 27, 1944

Experience of:

Infantry Battalion Capturing and Defending a Key Terrain Feature in Mountainous Country

Operation:

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