9th (2nd City of London) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
Anzio
### Anzio

The Allies had carried out an [amphibious assault at Anzio](/wiki/Battle_of_Anzio "Battle of Anzio") on 22 January 1944 with the intention of outflanking the German positions at [Monte Cassino](/wiki/Battle_of_Monte_Cassino "Battle of Monte Cassino"), but the enemy had succeeded in sealing off the beachhead, where trench warfare had set in. In early February 56th (L) Division was ordered to pull out and go by sea to reinforce the beachhead. 167 Brigade embarked at Naples on 12 February, each fusilier battalion travelling in one [Landing Ship, Tank](/wiki/Landing_Ship%2C_Tank "Landing Ship, Tank") for HQ and transport, and one [Landing Craft Infantry](/wiki/Landing_Craft_Infantry "Landing Craft Infantry") for each of he three companies. They arrived off Anzio at 08\.00 next day and immediately came under air attack. The brigade took over part of the line from US troops on the night of 14/15 February, with 9th Royal Fusiliers on the left. At 06\.15 on 16 February a strong [German counter\-attack](/wiki/Battle_of_Anzio%23German_counterattacks "Battle of Anzio#German counterattacks") (*Operation Fischfang* or 'Catching Fish') developed, accompanied by artillery and mortar fire and air attacks. The close country suited infiltration attacks, and the fighting was confused. At first, 9th Royal Fusiliers held their fire because the German paratroopers' helmets resembled the American helmet: two platoons of A Company and most of D Company were overrun and captured, the remaining platoon of A Company was undetected behind the enemy. With C Company in the rear, only B Company was in action, assisted by a scratch party of drivers and orderlies alongside the mortar platoon and battle patrol. The defence was aided by some American tanks and engineers, who helped with wiring the position and loaned a platoon. However, with information brought in by A Company's platoon and other returning stragglers, the battalion built up a clear picture of the enemy positions and was able to call down accurate artillery support as the fighting continued until 24 February. Thereafter both sides continued raiding until 9th Royal Fusiliers were relieved on the night of 5/6 March. It was evacuated from the beachhead on 8 March and sailed back to Naples.Molony, Vol V, pp. 744–6, 755–7\.Parkinson, pp. 155–61\.

56th (L) Division was now so weak that the whole division was sent to Egypt to rest and reorganise. 167 Brigade sailed on 28 March from [Taranto](/wiki/Taranto "Taranto") aboard the troopship *Empire Pride*. The brigade moved to a hutted camp at Beni Yousef, where the Fusilier battalions were reinforced by a draft of gunners from disbanded anti\-aircraft regiments from the Canal Zone, who had been retrained as infantrymen. They were integrated over the next four months.Molony, Vol V, p. 757\.Molony, Vol VI, Pt I, pp. 10, 13, 447–50\.Parkinson, pp. 162–3, 209\.


How effective were the Allied efforts at outflanking German positions at Monte Cassino?