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1
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In 1943 it was one
of our strategic aims.
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00:00:06,158 --> 00:00:08,664
To draw as many German
forces as possible.
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00:00:09,220 --> 00:00:12,278
Away from the Russian front
and French coastal areas.
4
00:00:12,922 --> 00:00:16,198
And to contain them on
the Italian peninsula.
5
00:00:17,012 --> 00:00:20,053
While liberating as much
of Italy as might be possible.
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00:00:20,578 --> 00:00:22,240
With the means at our disposal.
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As the bulk of our supplies
was directed to England.
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00:00:27,064 --> 00:00:28,802
For the forthcoming invasion.
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00:00:29,466 --> 00:00:31,982
Operations in Italy had to be conducted.
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00:00:32,466 --> 00:00:34,441
On an extremely limited scale.
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00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:36,656
Thus it came about.
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00:00:37,388 --> 00:00:38,803
That during the winter months.
13
00:00:38,971 --> 00:00:42,905
The number of allied divisions
in Italy .. was greatly reduced.
14
00:00:44,017 --> 00:00:45,871
Yet, so determined was their effort.
15
00:00:46,566 --> 00:00:48,777
That they succeeded in holding in Italy.
16
00:00:49,150 --> 00:00:51,647
A very large number of German divisions.
17
00:00:52,500 --> 00:00:54,163
During the pre-invasion period.
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00:00:55,067 --> 00:00:56,337
San Pietro.
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00:00:56,617 --> 00:00:58,139
In the 5th Army sector.
20
00:00:58,553 --> 00:01:00,380
Was the key to the Liri Valley.
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We knew it .. and the enemy knew it.
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We had to take it.
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00:01:05,655 --> 00:01:07,969
Even though the immediate
cost would be high.
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00:01:09,279 --> 00:01:10,183
We took it.
25
00:01:10,361 --> 00:01:14,389
And the cost in relation to the
later advance .. was not excessive.
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By its very nature.
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This success worked bitter hardships.
Upon each individual soldier.
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00:01:22,619 --> 00:01:25,982
Calling for the full measure
of his courage .. and devotion.
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00:01:26,894 --> 00:01:30,651
The response of our 5th Army troops
provides an inspiring page.
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In our military history.
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To these individuals .. living and dead.
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And to those who now
continue in their tradition.
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This picture is dedicated.
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Liri Valley lies in the Italian midland.
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Some 60 miles northwest of Naples.
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Some 40 miles southeast of Rome.
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A wide, flat corridor enclosed
between four walls of mountains.
39
00:02:43,347 --> 00:02:47,206
In winter, the highest peaks of the
Liri range ascend into the snow.
40
00:02:48,269 --> 00:02:51,809
But the valley floor with its
olive groves and ancient vines.
41
00:02:52,296 --> 00:02:54,454
Its crops of wheat and corn.
42
00:02:54,944 --> 00:02:56,744
Is green the year around.
43
00:02:58,870 --> 00:03:00,803
That is, in normal times.
44
00:03:01,584 --> 00:03:04,757
Last year was a bad year
for grapes and olives.
45
00:03:05,607 --> 00:03:07,513
And the fall planting was late.
46
00:03:08,746 --> 00:03:11,035
Many fields lay fallow.
47
00:03:12,377 --> 00:03:15,062
There are two ways from
the south into the valley.
48
00:03:15,342 --> 00:03:16,762
One, a narrow pass.
49
00:03:17,453 --> 00:03:20,365
The other a high, scenic
road over the mountains.
50
00:03:21,905 --> 00:03:26,117
They converge before the site of
the ancient village of San Pietro.
51
00:03:26,724 --> 00:03:30,809
Which for 700 years, has stood
at the threshold of Liri Valley.
52
00:03:31,123 --> 00:03:32,777
Welcoming the traveler
53
00:03:34,070 --> 00:03:39,154
The stones of its walls were quarried
from the parent hill from where it rises.
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00:03:41,156 --> 00:03:44,860
The population was:
1,412 at the last census.
55
00:03:46,395 --> 00:03:48,193
Affirming community.
56
00:03:49,591 --> 00:03:51,358
Patron Saint: Peter.
57
00:03:52,516 --> 00:03:56,010
Point of interest: Saint Peters. 1438.
58
00:03:56,862 --> 00:03:59,510
Note: interesting treatment of chancel.
59
00:04:08,460 --> 00:04:10,457
From the end of October 1943.
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00:04:10,547 --> 00:04:14,183
Until the middle of December, San
Pietro and the surrounding ground ..
61
00:04:14,361 --> 00:04:16,980
Was the scene of some of the most
bitter fighting on our 5th Army front.
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00:04:17,667 --> 00:04:20,732
The Italian campaign had
entered its second phase.
63
00:04:21,166 --> 00:04:23,629
To push forward again,
after a static period.
64
00:04:23,922 --> 00:04:26,180
Brought on by heavy seasonal rains.
65
00:04:26,828 --> 00:04:29,926
Our battle lines were as
haphazard as the terrain itself.
66
00:04:30,217 --> 00:04:33,260
With its flood-swollen rivers
that twisted back and forth.
67
00:04:33,558 --> 00:04:36,966
Across our line of march so
that each river seemed like five.
68
00:04:39,498 --> 00:04:42,526
And where there was no river to cross,
a mountain blocked our goal.
69
00:04:42,835 --> 00:04:46,610
Each peak ahead being a few meters
higher than the last we had won.
70
00:04:47,144 --> 00:04:49,780
So that each new peak
had to be fought for.
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00:04:50,073 --> 00:04:54,143
The hard, uphill way. With the
enemy looking down our throats.
72
00:04:54,784 --> 00:04:58,386
They had had time to fortify and
camouflage their positions.
73
00:04:59,078 --> 00:05:03,449
No amount of artillery fire or aerial
bombardment could force them to withdraw.
74
00:05:03,778 --> 00:05:05,582
That was for the infantry to do.
75
00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:07,280
Employing those weapons ..
76
00:05:07,532 --> 00:05:12,251
That can find and destroy life in narrow
trenches, caves and fighting holes.
77
00:05:12,892 --> 00:05:16,552
It was up to the man with the rifle,
the man under fire from all weapons.
78
00:05:17,282 --> 00:05:22,815
The man whose way, all our weapons,
land, air and sea serve only to prepare.
79
00:05:23,178 --> 00:05:26,591
It was up to the foot-soldiers
to attack a hidden enemy.
80
00:05:27,069 --> 00:05:29,275
Over ground that was sown with mines.
81
00:05:29,876 --> 00:05:32,151
The antipersonnel S-Mines.
82
00:05:32,761 --> 00:05:35,690
That fly up a footfall to
explode beneath the groin.
83
00:05:36,445 --> 00:05:40,592
Nowhere along the entire front were
enemy preparations more elaborate.
84
00:05:41,155 --> 00:05:43,108
Than the San Pietro area.
85
00:05:43,522 --> 00:05:47,217
For San Pietro stands at
the threshold of Liri Valley.
86
00:05:47,738 --> 00:05:50,193
And through Liri Valley, wide and level.
87
00:05:50,624 --> 00:05:54,506
Runs the most highly prized
length of road south of Rome.
88
00:05:55,651 --> 00:06:00,974
By December, we had the high ground to
the north, east, and south of San Pietro.
89
00:06:01,677 --> 00:06:04,518
The Camino Maggiore hill
mast being the last to fall.
90
00:06:05,116 --> 00:06:09,431
An Italian brigade under a line command
had made an attempt to capture Mt Lungo.
91
00:06:10,149 --> 00:06:13,830
The possession of which would be greatly
to our benefit in the impending action.
92
00:06:15,007 --> 00:06:17,056
The Italians were all but annihilated.
93
00:06:17,913 --> 00:06:19,540
In view of their excessive losses.
94
00:06:19,745 --> 00:06:23,674
Further operations against Mt Lungo's
strategic heights were abandoned.
95
00:06:26,546 --> 00:06:28,973
And it was decided to make
a direct frontal assault.
96
00:06:29,332 --> 00:06:32,249
On enemy positions in
and around San Pietro.
97
00:06:36,881 --> 00:06:39,503
Elements of the 36th
Texas Infantry Division.
98
00:06:39,777 --> 00:06:43,101
Were rotated from position to
position, overlooking the valley.
99
00:06:43,543 --> 00:06:47,008
So the troops might study the terrain
ahead from various viewpoints.
100
00:06:53,510 --> 00:06:55,686
Patrol activity was continuous.
101
00:07:02,419 --> 00:07:06,347
Day and night, units went out to
reconnoiter the ground, draw fire.
102
00:07:07,165 --> 00:07:08,247
Take prisoners.
103
00:07:08,819 --> 00:07:12,325
Thus adding to the sum of our
information about the enemy.
104
00:07:13,374 --> 00:07:16,603
High points. Mount Lungo was 351.
105
00:07:17,140 --> 00:07:22,181
Mount Sammucro was 1205 and
950 were all manned in force.
106
00:07:23,412 --> 00:07:25,576
The town itself was strongly garrisoned.
107
00:07:26,232 --> 00:07:30,160
With numerous mortar, machine gun,
and heavy weapon emplacements.
108
00:07:31,401 --> 00:07:34,919
Four enemy battalions were dug
into a line of connecting trenches ..
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00:07:35,009 --> 00:07:37,524
And mutually supporting
pill-boxes in depth?
110
00:07:38,034 --> 00:07:40,154
That extended from the
base of Mount Lungo.
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00:07:40,741 --> 00:07:44,606
North-east across the valley floor
o the base of Mount Sammucro.
112
00:07:45,516 --> 00:07:51,268
Another battalion was organized to defend
the high ground northwest of San Pietro.
113
00:07:52,005 --> 00:07:55,033
Areas before these positions
were heavily mined.
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00:07:55,515 --> 00:07:58,856
And held a confusion of
barbed wire and booby traps.
115
00:08:00,046 --> 00:08:05,254
On the afternoon before, D-day and H-hour
were communicated to battalion commands.
116
00:08:10,191 --> 00:08:14,214
December 8th .. at 06.20 hours.
117
00:08:14,507 --> 00:08:17,467
The 1st Battalion of the
143rd Infantry Regiment.
118
00:08:17,778 --> 00:08:19,966
To attack the summit of 1205.
119
00:08:20,571 --> 00:08:22,770
As they moved up the mountain
under cover of darkness.
120
00:08:23,477 --> 00:08:26,342
And upon achieving its objective,
to attack along the ridge ..
121
00:08:26,610 --> 00:08:29,204
To a point northwest of San Pietro.
122
00:08:30,536 --> 00:08:34,653
The 3rd Ranger Battalion
likewise to attack 950.
123
00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:37,668
Another feature of the Mount
Sammucro hill mass.
124
00:08:38,847 --> 00:08:45,265
The 2nd Battalion of the 143rd to attack
over the orchards north of San Pietro.
125
00:08:46,523 --> 00:08:51,223
The 3rd Battalion, acting in support,
to follow the 2nd at 400 yards.
126
00:08:52,909 --> 00:08:56,387
Of the original force to establish
the beachhead at Salerno.
127
00:08:56,477 --> 00:09:00,135
The 143rd had since been
all but a fortnight in action.
128
00:09:00,666 --> 00:09:03,124
Under extremely bitter
weather conditions.
129
00:09:04,450 --> 00:09:07,160
At Salerno, at the Volturno Crossing.
130
00:09:07,826 --> 00:09:09,711
It had taken mortal punishment.
131
00:09:10,380 --> 00:09:13,078
The task ahead promised
no less bloodshed.
132
00:09:13,862 --> 00:09:17,665
And it was undertaken in good
spirits and high confidence.
133
00:09:21,345 --> 00:09:25,604
The 1st Battalion began the long,
rugged climb up Mount Sammucro.
134
00:09:34,778 --> 00:09:37,144
As night fell, our artillery opened up.
135
00:09:37,770 --> 00:09:43,480
And through the night, intense fire was
laid down on the enemy's main resistance.
136
00:09:58,456 --> 00:10:00,083
It had rained most of the night.
137
00:10:00,964 --> 00:10:06,734
And it was raining at H-hour as the
battalions crossed the line of departure.
138
00:10:16,570 --> 00:10:19,136
Some 200 yards forward,
they encountered ..
139
00:10:19,381 --> 00:10:22,530
Mines and automatic
fire from pill-boxes.
140
00:10:35,426 --> 00:10:36,941
The artillery was deadly accurate.
141
00:10:37,558 --> 00:10:43,064
By reason of excellent enemy observation
from Mount Lungo overlooking our advance.
142
00:10:45,472 --> 00:10:49,383
Which continued
another 200 to 400 yards.
143
00:11:09,070 --> 00:11:12,097
Many men gave their lives in
attempts to reach pill-boxes ..
144
00:11:12,506 --> 00:11:15,603
To throw hand grenades through
the narrow gun openings.
145
00:11:18,997 --> 00:11:21,149
The 3rd Battalion was committed.
146
00:11:42,584 --> 00:11:47,758
But the advance never got more than
600 yards past the line of departure.
147
00:11:50,340 --> 00:11:55,566
Our initial assault on San Pietro had
been repulsed. With heavy casualties.
148
00:12:08,191 --> 00:12:12,025
The attack on hill 1205 however,
was a brilliant success.
149
00:12:13,460 --> 00:12:17,182
Leading elements of the 1st Battalion
had gained the summit of the objective.
150
00:12:17,666 --> 00:12:21,819
Before a strongly entrenched enemy
knew that an assault was in progress.
151
00:12:31,841 --> 00:12:37,416
To the right of 1205, the 3rd Ranger
Battalion had captured its objective.
152
00:12:38,570 --> 00:12:41,602
But only after successive
attacks and costly casualties.
153
00:12:42,574 --> 00:12:46,335
For on 950 the enemy
was not taken unaware.
154
00:12:49,806 --> 00:12:54,890
Counter attacks were to be
expected. On both 1205 and 950.
155
00:12:55,604 --> 00:12:57,189
They were not long developing.
156
00:13:11,097 --> 00:13:13,649
The fist was launched during
the early daylight hours.
157
00:13:13,905 --> 00:13:16,424
And even as it was beaten off,
another took form.
158
00:13:24,122 --> 00:13:25,766
Day and night, they followed.
159
00:13:26,179 --> 00:13:28,199
Unremitting violence.
160
00:13:35,607 --> 00:13:38,679
The toll of enemy dead mounted
with each new attempt.
161
00:13:46,645 --> 00:13:50,787
The German prisoners
captured on 1205 and 950.
162
00:13:51,039 --> 00:13:54,609
Said they had been ordered to
retake those positions at all costs.
163
00:13:56,930 --> 00:14:00,678
In addition to defending
hill 1205, the 1st Battalion ..
164
00:14:01,327 --> 00:14:04,918
Obedient to the field order, undertook
the reduction of enemy defenses.
165
00:14:05,091 --> 00:14:07,665
Which were organized along
the ridge running west.
166
00:14:43,789 --> 00:14:45,085
On the 12th of December ..
167
00:14:45,175 --> 00:14:49,575
The 1st Battalion was reinforced
with the 504th Parachute Battalion.
168
00:14:50,051 --> 00:14:54,538
Which took over and maintained
the defenses of 1205 and 950.
169
00:14:56,509 --> 00:14:58,668
Thereby enabling the 1st Battalion ..
170
00:14:59,058 --> 00:15:03,225
To throw its entire remaining strength
into the assault along the ridge.
171
00:15:05,705 --> 00:15:09,920
But the first string had dwindled
and shrunk in the five days passed.
172
00:15:10,686 --> 00:15:15,516
There was now a question if its existing
numbers were sufficient to prevail.
173
00:15:16,583 --> 00:15:19,334
Reports during the night
of the 14th December.
174
00:15:19,932 --> 00:15:22,967
Stated that the enemy was
offering bitter resistance.
175
00:15:23,237 --> 00:15:25,532
And that the issue was in grave doubt.
176
00:15:26,628 --> 00:15:29,005
Meanwhile, on the olive terraces below.
177
00:15:29,494 --> 00:15:34,186
The 2nd and 3rd Battalions had twice
again attempted to reach their objective.
178
00:15:36,380 --> 00:15:42,009
Both times they came up against a wall
of automatic weapons and artillery fire.
179
00:15:46,660 --> 00:15:52,478
Volunteer patrols made attempts to reach
enemy positions in the new strong points.
180
00:15:56,656 --> 00:16:00,719
Not a single member of any such
patrol ever came back alive.
181
00:16:04,876 --> 00:16:10,126
Our attacking forces were furnished good
aerial cover by allied fighter patrol.
182
00:16:12,932 --> 00:16:18,230
But now and then, enemy planes slipped
through to bomb and strafe our positions.
183
00:16:20,513 --> 00:16:25,411
Which, to all purposes had remained
unchanged .. since the first day.
184
00:16:25,899 --> 00:16:30,201
To break the deadlock, orders were given
for a co�rdinated divisional attack.
185
00:16:30,712 --> 00:16:36,315
2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 143rd to
proceed in the execution of the orders.
186
00:16:37,559 --> 00:16:42,080
Acting in conjunction, Company A
of the 753rd Tank Battalion ..
187
00:16:42,527 --> 00:16:45,768
To attack San Pietro from
the east over the high road.
188
00:16:47,282 --> 00:16:51,480
1 Battalion of the 141st to attack
over the flat valley floor.
189
00:16:52,429 --> 00:16:56,263
After nightfall on D-day,
the 142nd Infantry Regiment ..
190
00:16:56,661 --> 00:16:58,811
To attack Mount Lungo.
191
00:16:59,397 --> 00:17:02,761
The earlier decision not to
attack those strategic heights.
192
00:17:03,203 --> 00:17:07,466
Having been reversed in view
of the present critical situation.
193
00:17:09,116 --> 00:17:13,309
In preparation for the attack,
all 5th Army artillery within range ..
194
00:17:13,770 --> 00:17:16,112
Including tanks and all-tracks.
195
00:17:16,504 --> 00:17:18,760
Was directed against San Pietro.
196
00:17:19,023 --> 00:17:20,486
And the surrounding area.
197
00:18:29,115 --> 00:18:31,567
H-hour. 12 hundred hours.
198
00:18:32,435 --> 00:18:34,908
D-day the 15th of December.
199
00:18:38,495 --> 00:18:43,303
The 141st Infantry advance some
400 yards from its line of departure.
200
00:18:45,609 --> 00:18:49,424
To be worn down and held powerless
under the weight of enemy fire.
201
00:18:52,700 --> 00:18:55,554
The 2nd and 3rd
Battalion of the 143rd ..
202
00:18:55,810 --> 00:18:59,588
Advanced some 100 yards
beyond their former positions.
203
00:19:00,056 --> 00:19:03,805
To a point almost directly
before forward enemy defenses.
204
00:19:05,194 --> 00:19:10,659
And again they were forced to take such
cover as the quaking earth could offer.
205
00:19:13,032 --> 00:19:14,068
And the tanks.
206
00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:21,207
Orders were for them to enter the town,
locate and destroy heavy weapons there.
207
00:19:21,708 --> 00:19:24,146
Which were leveled against
our attacking foot-soldiers.
208
00:19:26,611 --> 00:19:30,341
The high road in to San Pietro
is a narrow mountain road.
209
00:19:31,168 --> 00:19:34,141
And from the beginning of its
winding decent into Liri Valley ..
210
00:19:34,465 --> 00:19:36,829
It was under direct enemy observation.
211
00:19:44,614 --> 00:19:47,332
Sixteen tanks started down that road.
212
00:19:49,820 --> 00:19:52,223
Three reached the outskirts of the town.
213
00:20:02,956 --> 00:20:06,426
Of these, two were destroyed
and one was missing.
214
00:20:08,641 --> 00:20:11,710
Five tanks were immobilized
behind enemy lines.
215
00:20:12,024 --> 00:20:13,946
Their crews having to abandon them.
216
00:20:15,906 --> 00:20:18,990
Five tanks hit enemy
mines within our lines.
217
00:20:19,702 --> 00:20:22,496
And were thereupon
destroyed by enemy gunfire.
218
00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:26,767
Four tanks returned to the bivouac area.
219
00:20:28,787 --> 00:20:30,124
After dark, two companies.
220
00:20:30,819 --> 00:20:33,528
One from the 2nd Battalion
and one from the 3rd.
221
00:20:33,724 --> 00:20:37,697
Finally succeeded in penetrating
enemy positions before San Pietro.
222
00:20:38,570 --> 00:20:42,326
But receiving both frontal and flanking
fire, they were forced to retire.
223
00:20:47,174 --> 00:20:51,105
Company E having been reduced
in strength to a handful of riflemen.
224
00:20:52,249 --> 00:20:54,418
And Company L fairing little better.
225
00:21:08,987 --> 00:21:10,536
On the mount Sammucro ridge ..
226
00:21:10,626 --> 00:21:14,610
The 1st Battalion fought its way within
a hundred yards of the objective.
227
00:21:23,736 --> 00:21:27,261
But it had paid for ground gained
at the rate of a man a yard.
228
00:21:28,212 --> 00:21:32,232
It did not have the strength to
carry the fight any further forward.
229
00:21:34,623 --> 00:21:38,150
On Mount Lungo however,
despite bitter resistance.
230
00:21:38,511 --> 00:21:43,396
Battalions of the 142nd, in successive
waves, kept pushing upwards.
231
00:21:45,601 --> 00:21:49,946
Until in the early daylight
hours of the 16th December.
232
00:21:50,270 --> 00:21:52,399
Its foot-soldiers had gained the summit.
233
00:21:52,610 --> 00:21:55,594
And were wiping up what
remained of a stubborn enemy.
234
00:21:57,328 --> 00:22:01,449
And that height proved to be a key
position in the enemy plan of defines.
235
00:22:01,940 --> 00:22:04,194
For even as Mount Lungo fell.
236
00:22:04,527 --> 00:22:09,712
The enemy, throughout the San Pietro
area, made preparations to withdraw.
237
00:22:11,290 --> 00:22:15,536
Almost invariably the enemy would
counter-attack to cover a withdrawal.
238
00:22:16,465 --> 00:22:19,816
The first violent thrust was
delivered within a few hours.
239
00:22:28,599 --> 00:22:31,682
And thereafter, counter-attacks
came in waves.
240
00:22:32,303 --> 00:22:36,611
The roar of the blasts mingling with
the rush and fury of the next to break.
241
00:22:37,148 --> 00:22:39,389
Many companies lost all their officers.
242
00:22:39,644 --> 00:22:43,292
Enlisted men came forward
as inspirational leaders.
243
00:22:43,504 --> 00:22:47,990
To rally their battered companies
into resisting yet one more onslaught.
244
00:22:50,872 --> 00:22:55,624
Our artillery was brought to fall within
100 yards of our front-line elements.
245
00:22:59,028 --> 00:23:03,139
After five hours, during which
the earth never ceased to tremble.
246
00:23:03,556 --> 00:23:05,134
The counter-attacks ended.
247
00:23:05,597 --> 00:23:09,423
Indicating the withdrawal of the
enemy's main body had commenced.
248
00:23:38,808 --> 00:23:43,677
Trying to keep contact with the enemy,
our patrols immediately pushed ahead.
249
00:24:22,001 --> 00:24:27,202
Entering the town they discovered that
San Pietro was ours for the taking.
250
00:24:39,460 --> 00:24:41,022
The 2nd and 3rd Battalions.
251
00:24:41,418 --> 00:24:43,498
Less than a rifle company in strength.
252
00:24:43,976 --> 00:24:46,062
Wearied to death, but who were alive.
253
00:24:46,633 --> 00:24:49,282
Stumbled forward, past San Pietro.
254
00:24:49,626 --> 00:24:53,727
To consolidate gains and
re-establish contact with the enemy.
255
00:24:54,161 --> 00:24:58,366
Now taking up new positions
some five kilometers beyond.
256
00:25:02,667 --> 00:25:05,417
That is the broad shape
of the battle of San Pietro.
257
00:25:05,953 --> 00:25:08,778
Which was to be the first of
many battles in Liri Valley.
258
00:25:12,031 --> 00:25:13,958
It was a very costly battle.
259
00:25:15,421 --> 00:25:19,248
After the battle, the 143rd
Infantry Regiment alone ..
260
00:25:19,619 --> 00:25:21,977
Required 1,100 replacements.
261
00:25:42,556 --> 00:25:44,813
The lives lost were precious lives.
262
00:25:45,306 --> 00:25:48,085
To their country .. to their loved ones.
263
00:25:49,300 --> 00:25:51,011
And to the men themselves.
264
00:25:56,639 --> 00:25:59,270
For the living of the
143rd Infantry Regiment ..
265
00:25:59,472 --> 00:26:04,597
More than 100 decorations for acts of
valor above and beyond the call of duty.
266
00:26:09,165 --> 00:26:11,338
Many among these you see alive here ..
267
00:26:11,540 --> 00:26:16,187
Have since joined the ranks of their
brothers-in-arms who fell at San Pietro.
268
00:26:17,275 --> 00:26:19,216
For ahead lay San Vittore.
269
00:26:19,694 --> 00:26:22,260
And the Rapido River and Cassino.
270
00:26:22,598 --> 00:26:25,946
And beyond Cassino, more
rivers and more mountains.
271
00:26:26,372 --> 00:26:29,649
And more towns, more San Pietros.
272
00:26:30,258 --> 00:26:33,619
Greater or lesser .. a thousand more.
273
00:26:36,452 --> 00:26:40,310
As the battle passed over
beyond San Pietro, westward.
274
00:26:40,705 --> 00:26:44,331
Townspeople began to appear, coming
out of their caves in the mountains.
275
00:26:44,580 --> 00:26:47,540
For they had stayed in hiding
during the enemy occupation.
276
00:26:49,350 --> 00:26:52,328
They were mostly old people.
And children.
277
00:27:26,925 --> 00:27:30,650
The townspeople were warned
against enemy mines and booby traps.
278
00:27:30,923 --> 00:27:33,114
Which were in the
process of being cleared.
279
00:28:32,605 --> 00:28:34,654
Children are able to forget quickly.
280
00:28:36,625 --> 00:28:37,912
Yesterday they wept.
281
00:28:38,587 --> 00:28:41,132
Today there are smiles
and even laughter.
282
00:28:48,660 --> 00:28:52,106
Tomorrow, it will be as though the
bad things had never happened.
283
00:29:50,717 --> 00:29:53,438
Living was resumed in San Pietro.
284
00:30:01,023 --> 00:30:05,144
Our prime military aim being to
engage and to beat the enemy.
285
00:30:05,356 --> 00:30:08,284
The capture of the town itself
and the liberation of its people.
286
00:30:08,468 --> 00:30:09,806
Is of an incidental nature.
287
00:30:10,957 --> 00:30:12,875
But the people in their
military innocence ..
288
00:30:12,965 --> 00:30:15,338
Look upon us solely as their deliverers.
289
00:30:17,809 --> 00:30:21,036
It was to free them, and their
farmlands, that we came.
290
00:30:26,851 --> 00:30:29,499
Behind our lines, southwest to the sea.
291
00:30:30,034 --> 00:30:33,722
The fields are green with growing
crops planted after our coming.
292
00:30:34,151 --> 00:30:37,186
By other people of other
towns who live likewise.
293
00:30:51,731 --> 00:30:56,303
The new-won earth at
San Pietro was plowed and sown.
294
00:30:57,704 --> 00:30:59,904
To yield a good harvest this year.
295
00:31:05,998 --> 00:31:08,304
And the people pray
that their patron saint ..
296
00:31:08,613 --> 00:31:12,623
To intercede with God on behalf
of those who came to liberate them.
297
00:31:13,357 --> 00:31:16,472
And passed on to the north,
with the passing battle.
298
00:32:05,043 --> 00:32:07,712
T-G
299
00:32:08,305 --> 00:32:14,319
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