Closing the Ring (20 page)

8
The Battle of Salerno
A Homeward Voyage

Anglo-American Descent upon Salerno___Stubborn German Resistance___Taranto Seized___We Embark on the “Renown”___Alexander on the Spot___Contacts with Stalin and Eisenhower___Progress of the Battle___Alexander’s Reports___The Victory Gained___Mary and the Wave___Naples Taken___My Telegram to Eisenhower of September
15___
Interchanges with the Commanders___A Pause to Consolidate.

O
N THE NIGHT OF
S
EPTEMBER
8, Alexander sent me his “Zip” message. As the Allied armada approached the Salerno beaches that evening, they heard the announcement from the British broadcast of the Italian surrender. To men keyed up for battle the news came as a shock, which for the moment relaxed the tension and had an unfortunate psychological effect. Many thought that on the morrow their task would be a walkover. Officers at once strove to correct any such impression, pointing out that whatever the Italians might do there would certainly be strong resistance from German forces. There was a sense of anticlimax. Nevertheless, as Admiral Cunningham remarked, to have withheld the existence of the Armistice would have been a breach of faith with the Italian people.

Covered by a strong British fleet the assault convoys entered the Gulf of Salerno with only minor air attack. The enemy was aware of their approach, but he could not tell, until the last moment, where the blow would fall.

The landing of the Fifth Army, commanded by General Clark, began before dawn. The assault was delivered by the VIth United States Corps, and the British Xth Corps, with British Commandos and United States Rangers on the northern flank. The convoys had been sighted at sea, and General Eisenhower’s broadcast of the previous evening caused the German troops in the neighbourhood to act immediately. Disarming the Italians, they took over the whole defence themselves, and made good use of the advantage which modern weapons give to the defence in the early stages of a landing. Our men were met by well-aimed fire as they waded ashore, and they suffered heavily. It was difficult to provide proper air-cover for them, as many of our fighters were operating at extreme range from Sicily, but these were reinforced by carrier-borne aircraft.

Once across the beaches, the VIth United States Corps made
good progress, and by the night of the 11th had advanced as much as ten miles, with their right flank bent back to the sea. The British corps met stiffer opposition. They succeeded in taking Salerno and Battipaglia. The Montecorvino airfield also fell into our hands, but, as it remained under enemy fire, it could not provide the sorely needed refuelling ground for our fighters. The Germans reacted very quickly. Their troops opposing the Eighth Army, which was toiling its way up the toe of Italy, were brought at all speed to the new battle. From the north came the greater part of three divisions, from the east a regiment of parachutists.
¹
Our own reinforcement was much slower, as shipping, especially small craft, was scarce. The German Air Force, though weakened by their losses in Sicily, made an intense effort, and their new radio-controlled and glider bombs caused losses to our shipping. All the resources of the Allied Air were turned on to hamper the approach of enemy reinforcements and blast their concentrations. Warships steamed into Salerno Bay to give the support of their heaviest guns. The Eighth Army was spurred on by Montgomery to gain contact with the hard-pressed Fifth. All this helped, and in the opinion of a highly placed German officer the eclipse of the Luftwaffe and the lack of any defence against naval bombardment were decisive.

*  *  * *  *

While the Salerno battle was raging, a remarkable stroke was made upon Taranto, for which not only Alexander, but Admiral Cunningham, on whom fell the brunt of execution, deserve the highest credit for well-run risks. This first-class port was capable of serving a whole army. The Italian surrender which now broke upon us seemed to Alexander to justify daring. There were no transport aircraft to lift the British 1st Airborne Division, nor any ordinary shipping to carry it by sea. Six thousand of these picked men were embarked on British warships, and on September 9, the day of the landing on Salerno beaches, the Royal Navy steamed boldly
into Taranto Harbour and deposited the troops ashore, unopposed. One of our cruisers, which struck a mine and sank, was our only naval loss.
²

*  *  * *  *

It had been planned that I and those of our party who had not already flown to England should go home by sea, and the
Renown
awaited us at Halifax. I broke the train journey to say good-bye to President Roosevelt, and was thus with him at Hyde Park when the Battle of Salerno began. I resumed my train journey on the night of the 12th, to reach Halifax on the morning of the 14th. The various reports which reached me on the journey, as well as the newspapers, made me deeply anxious. Evidently a most critical and protracted struggle was in progress. My concern was all the greater because I had always strongly pressed for this seaborne landing, and felt a special responsibility for its success. Surprise, violence, and speed are the essence of all amphibious landings. After the first twenty-four hours the advantage of sea-power in striking where you will may well have vanished. Where there were ten men there are soon ten thousand. My mind travelled back over the years. I thought of General Stopford waiting nearly three days on the beach at Suvla Bay in 1915 while Mustafa Kemal marched two Turkish divisions from the lines at Bulair to the hitherto undefended battlefield. I had had a more recent experience when General Auchinleck had remained at his Headquarters in Cairo surveying orthodoxly from the summit and centre the wide and varied sphere of his command, while the battle, on which everything turned, was being decided against him in the Desert. I had the greatest confidence in Alexander, but all the same I passed a painful day while our train rumbled forward through the pleasant lands of Nova Scotia. At length I wrote out the following message for Alexander, feeling sure he would not resent it. It was not sent till after I had sailed.

Prime Minister to General Alexander

14 Sept. 43

I hope you are watching above all the battle of “Avalanche,” which dominates everything. None of the commanders engaged has fought a large-scale battle before. The Battle of Suvla Bay was lost because Ian Hamilton was advised by his C.G.S. to remain at a remote central point where he would know everything. Had he been on the spot he could have saved the show. At this distance and with time-lags I cannot pretend to judge, but I feel it my duty to set before you this experience of mine from the past.

2.
Nothing
should be denied which will nourish the decisive battle for Naples.

3. Ask for anything you want, and I will make allocation of necessary supplies with highest priority irrespective of every other consideration.

  His answer was prompt and comforting.

General Alexander (Salerno) to Prime Minister (at sea)

15 Sept. 43

I feel sure you will be glad to know that I have already anticipated your wise advice and am now here with the Fifth Army. Many thanks for your offer of help. Everything possible is being done to make “Avalanche” a success. Its fate will be decided in the next few days.

  I was also relieved to learn that Admiral Cunningham had not hesitated to hazard his battleships close inshore in support of the Army. On the 14th, he sent up the
Warspite
and
Valiant
, which had just arrived at Malta conducting to surrender the main body of the Italian Fleet. Next day they were in action, and their accurate air-directed bombardment with heavy guns impressed both friend and foe and greatly contributed to the defeat of the enemy. Unhappily, on the afternoon of the 16th the
Warspite
was disabled by a new type of glider bomb, about which we had heard something, and were to learn more.

Prime Minister (at sea) to Admiral Cunningham (Algiers)

15 Sept. 43

I am very glad you have put in the
Warspite
and
Valiant
, as importance of battle fully justifies exceptional action.

Please give them my best wishes.

The following also came in:

Premier Stalin to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and to Prime Minister Churchill

14 Sept. 43

I have received your message of September 10. I congratulate you with new successes, and especially with the landing at Naples. There is no doubt that the successful landing at Naples and break between Italy and Germany will deal one more blow upon Hitlerite Germany and will considerably facilitate the actions of the Soviet armies at the Soviet-German front. For the time being the offensive of the Soviet troops is successfully developing. I think that we shall be in a position to achieve more successes within the next two-three weeks. It is possible that we shall have recaptured Novorossisk within the next few days.

*  *  * *  *

It was a relief to board the
Renown.
The splendid ship lay alongside the quay. Admiral Pound was already on board, having come through direct from Washington. He bore himself as erect as ever, and no one looking at him would have dreamed that he was stricken. I invited him to join us at my table on the homeward voyage, but he said he would prefer to take his meals in his cabin with his Staff officer. Within half an hour we sailed, and for the next six days we zigzagged our way across the ocean.

*  *  * *  *

All the time the battle at Salerno went on. The telegrams flowed in. Alexander was kind enough to keep me fully informed, and his vivid messages can be read in their relation to the whole event.

General Alexander to Prime Minister (at sea)

16 Sept. 43

I have just returned from an extensive tour of the Fifth Army front. I saw both corps commanders, all division commanders, and several front-line brigades. Although I am not entirely happy about the situation, I am happier than I was twenty-four hours ago, for the following reasons:

The Germans have not put in a serious attack since night of 13th. This has given us time to improve our position somewhat, rest for very exhausted troops, and get some reinforcements of men and material in. Eighth Army are also drawing nearer. I have also been able to cheer them up and issue certain directions, of which the following are most important. Hold what we have gained; at all cost consolidating key positions by digging, wiring, and mining. Reorganise scattered and mixed units and formations. Form local reserves and as strong a mobile reserve as possible. Inform troops of rapid approach of Eighth Army and flow of reinforcements now arriving day and night. Present weakness is [due to] following. Germans have been able to concentrate strong forces quicker than we have been able to build up sufficient forces to hold what had been gained in first rush. Germans hold most of the dominating features and overlook us onto the beach. Our troops are tired. There is very little depth anywhere; we have temporarily lost the initiative. Last night our Air dropped a parachute battalion behind enemy lines in Avellino area. Air flew in 1600 men of the 82d Division last night. I have arranged with the Navy to bring 1500 British infantry reinforcements from Philippeville in cruisers; these should be here in under forty-eight hours. I have speeded up arrival of 3d United States Division, which will start landing on 18th.

First elements of 7th Armoured Division arrive tonight, but will take few days to disembark and concentrate. One infantry brigade also arrives tonight. We have just completed three landing-strips, and Spitfires are now operating from Salerno and neighbourhood.

The whole of the air forces are concentrated on this battle area. We shall regain the initiative and start to gain key points as soon as we are strong enough to do so. God’s blessing on our enterprise and a little luck will ensure success to our arms.

Prime Minister (at sea) to General Alexander

16 Sept. 43

My feeling about “Avalanche” is expressed in Foch’s maxim,
Gramponnez partout.
The Navy are quite right to throw their heavy ships in, for this is a battle of far-reaching significance. My feeling is you are going to win.

Prime Minister to General Alexander

17 Sept. 43

I am very glad to feel you have taken a personal grip of “Avalanche”
position. I had, as you know, been worried about rate of “Avalanche” build-up. It is great news that Montgomery expects to bring Eighth Army into action on 17th.

2. It is right to use the battleships in the inshore squadron in view of favourable naval balances.

3. Every good wish. Please continue to keep me informed. I am in mid-ocean, but can receive fully at all hours.

  For three critical days the issue hung in the balance. Battipaglia was lost, but the 56th Division, though weakened by heavy losses, succeeded in stopping a further drive thence to the sea. On the front of the VIth United States Corps the enemy, taking advantage of the thinly held gap between that corps and the British, turned in from the north, crossed the river Sele, and threatened to reach the landing-beaches behind the Americans. They were stopped only just in time by the defence of the American batteries. The Allied line was held by the narrowest of margins. The 45th United States Division, which had been held in reserve on board their ships, was now in full action on the VIth Corps front. Reinforcements were beginning to arrive. Our 7th Armoured Division and the 82d United States Airborne Division came in by sea and air. After six days of bitter fighting, in which we suffered moments of grave hazard, the Germans failed to throw us back into the sea. On the 15th, Kesselring realised he could not succeed. Pivoting his right on the high ground above Salerno, he began to swing his whole line back. On the 18th, the Fifth and Eighth Armies joined hands. We had won.