Brooks, Thomas R. The War North of Rome: June 1944 - May 1945. New York: Sarpedon, 1996.

421 pages
ISBN 1-885119-26-7

Foreword; maps; photos; Acknowledgments; bibliography; general index; index of military units.

When Rome fell to the Allied armies on 4 June 1944, it was big news. Until two days later the Allies landed at Normandy, and Italy was pushed permanently off the front page. For the next eleven months the Allied Armies in Italy battled their way north without the glamor, publicity, or priority of troops, equipment, and supplies of the divisions in France.

So it is with post-war histories of the Allied battles in Europe. Of the volumes concerning the Italian campaign, very few devote themselves specifically to the advance north from Rome. Into this void comes Brooks' new book, picking up the story of the war in Italy from the fall of the Italian capital to the final days of the campaign. (Orgill's The Gothic Line is the one other title that covers the same ground.)

Brooks -- who served with US 10th Mountain Division in Italy -- chronicles the actions of both 5th Army and 8th Army as well as the German defenders. His book is very much one of maneuver and combat, mud, mountains, and casualties.

"Elsewhere the attack did not go well. The 370th's 2nd Battalion made good progress in the morning, attacking north from west of Gaggio Montana at the center of the Belvedere massif to reach Morandella well up on the ridge, but were driven back a short distance by a fierce counterattack. The Brazilians, in open terrain on the right flank, ran into heavy artillery and mortar fire as they moved towards the high ground in the vicinity of Monte Castello. The command tank of the supporting armor was disabled by mines almost at the start. By noon, the Brazilian 6th Infantry's 3rd Battalion was forced back to its line of departure.

"At midnight, the Germans struck in company strength at Corona. A Captain Straube, it is reported, urged his men on from behind with a pistol in one hand and a grenade in the other. They screamed as they charged, curdling the blood of the G.I.s defending Corona. However frightened, they broke up the German attack with artillery backup and support from the tankers. Fourteen Germans were taken prisoner, six killed, and ten wounded. Captain Straube withdrew his men, who were from the 1st Battalion, 1043rd Infantry, 232nd Division."

Although somewhat derivative (Orgill and the various official histories are quoted widely) and a little lacking in strategic overview, Brooks does an admirable job of synthesizing existing sources to build a quite detailed picture of the campaign from Rome to the Po.

In print and available from mail order booksellers and local bookstores for $27.50, or contact Sarpedon directly.

Thanks to Sarpedon for providing this review copy.