bigpigeon.us webpage WW II - Germany  > MTO > Italy > Rome To Florence, updated by RAC 7 Oct 2020.

This webpage covers the third part of the US Army's Rome - Arno Campaign, from early June 1944 to 9 September 1944. For earlier parts, from January to early June of 1944, see my At the Gustav Line and Cassino to Rome webpages.

After the collapse of German defenses in In late May 1944, the advanced northward, passing through Rome and liberating much of central Italy. The advance slowed once the Allies reached the Gothic Line, which crossed Italy across the northern Apennine Mountains.
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​Timeline May - August 1944:
  • May 1944 - Allies break out of Gustav Line and Anzio Beachhead and advance northward.
  • 4 June 1944 - Germans abandon Rome.
  • 19 July 1944 - Allies capture the port city of Leghorn (pronunced as Ligorno).
  • 4 Aug 1944 - Germans abandon Florence and Florence is occupied by Allies.
​The Allies' Central Italy Campaign, Summer of 1944

After German forces abandoned Rome in early June 1944,  Allied forces comprising the US Fifth Army and British 8th Army followed the retreating German army north through central Italy until early August 1944.

Upon several occasions, the German Army temporarily stopped the Allied advance at improvised defensive lines, the two most significant of which are shown on the accompanying map:
  • The Transimeno Line through Lake Transimento in late June.
  • The Arno Line through Florence in early August.
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  • In June the Allies lost three US Army divisions that had fought in the Anzio Beachhead, as they were removed from combat to prepare for the 15 August invasion of southern France.
  • In July, the Allies lost their four French divisions, being transferred to also participate in the southern France invasion.
  • After destroying all bridges in Florence except for the Ponte Vecchio, the German army withdrew from the Florence area around 11 August as partisans in Florence began an uprising.
  • In early and mid August, portions of the British 8 Army, especially the Canadian Corps, moved east towards the Adriatic Sea to prepare for Operation Olive, the Allied offensive against the Gothic Line.
The Allied Advance from Rome to Florence
The Allied Advance from Rome to Florence - Summer 1944
Sources for the Rome to Florence webpage:
  • ​The The Allied Advance from Rome to Florence - Summer 1944 map is courtesy of the US Army Center for Military History.

Pottawattamie County, Iowa Area WW II Dead - Rome to Florence: 02-02 - Italian Mainland > Rome to Florence: (two dead, updated 18 Aug 2021)
† O'Connell, John Francis, SN 20-706-814, US Army, Cass Co.​
  • first served w/ Co. M. (Red Oak), 168th Inf. Regt.; in 1944 transferred to Co. L, 133rd Inf. Regt., also in 34th Inf. Div.; KIA 9 Jul 1944 near Castellina, S of Florence, Tuscany, Italy; Italian Mainland > Rome to Florence.
† Schram, Edward Nicholas, SN 37-111-412, US Army, Shelby Co.
  • Co. B, 755th Tank Bn.; KIA 12 Jun 1944 near Latera, N of Rome & NW of Viterbo, Lazio, Italy, supporting French forces; Italian Mainland > Rome to Florence.