Tactical Realism by the 82nd Airborne Division

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Posted by GreenMtnBoy on Friday, October 10 @ 02:50:28 CDT

"DEVILS IN BAGGY PANTS"
SEPT. 13, 1943: Parachutes blossomed over the Salerno beachhead. They belonged to the 504th RCT which was answering Gen. Mark Clark's urgent request for reinforcements.

No sooner did the first troopers land than Col. Tucker was asking VI Corps, "What next?" The colonel's only question to the outlined plan was, "When do we start?"

After training nearly a month, the 82nd had been ready to push off once before. The division had its sights set on dropping near Rome and seizing the Eternal City. But with troopers ready to board planes and others at sea, headed for the Tiber River area, the lines buzzed: "Hold everything!" Germans had taken over the landing area. The operation was postponed.

Now came the McCoy. The 504th set out by foot that night -- set out toward the rugged hills of Altavilla and Albanella to the battle destined to whip back the German counter-attack and secure the beachhead toe-hold. The 505th RCT dropped the following night, joined in the Altavilla battle and protected Fifth Armys right flank.

Ability of Swiss-born Pfc Peter R. Schneider, New York City, 504th, to speak German paid dividends at Altavilla. Spotting an enemy machine gun squad and an infantry platoon, Schneider crawled to meet them, shouting, "Move that machine gun to the right!" They did and were wiped out. When the German commander came up to see what had happened, Schneider dropped him too.

The 509th Parachute Inf. Bn., attached to the 82nd, landed the same night as the 505th, far back of enemy lines at Avellino to harass communication lines. The seaborne 325th Glider Inf. came up to reinforce the 504th and 505th, dropping off one company to grab the island of Ischia in Naples Bay. The regiment then moved up to the Maiori-Chiunzi Pass area, joining the Rangers and the 319th Glider FA.

Typical heroism was exhibited by Capt. Robert L. Dickerson, Henderson, Ky., Co. E, 315th Glider Inf., when be "successfully defended a salient 800 yards into enemy lines against a bold and aggressive foe through eight hours of continuous attack. Although... deprived of artillery support, Capt. Dickerson remained in his CP, in a position declared untenable by the troops he relieved."

Division Headquarters and Special Troops moved to the beachhead by plane and boat. With the 504th and 505th they arrived at the Maiori-Chiunzi Pass area by truck and LCI.

Germans withdrew the same night as British X Corps, including the 82nd and Rangers, attacked over Sorrento Ridge. The Allies plunged ahead, pouring onto the Naples plain in late September.

To be Continued...

All information "All American" is a small booklet covering the history of the 82nd Airborne Division. This booklet is one of the series of G.I. Stories published by the Stars & Stripes in Paris in 1944-1945.

as found on www.lonesentry.com