Capture of Pianoereno (1944)

Capture of Pianoereno (1944)
Part of the Italian campaign (World War II)
Fascist Italy in World War II
Date October 1944 Location Pianoereno, Italy Result Indian victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom India	Germany Italy
Commanders and leaders
Petengell (WIA) Naik Waman Salvi Daulat Rane	Unknown
Units involved
Maratha Light Infantry	1st battalion, 578th infantry regiment

The Capture of Pianoereno was a battle tactic in the Italian Campaign of World War II, which took place in October 1944 near the village of Pianoereno, Italy. In support of the Allied advance against the Gothic Line, the British Eighth Army's 8th Indian Division, supported by the 1st Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry and the 3rd Battalion of the 15th Punjab Regiment, made simultaneous attacks on German dug-in positions. Although the Indians were initially repulsed and met stiff resistance, they were able to capture important high ground, such as Point 768 and Monte Pianocreno, by 19 October. This triumph helped facilitate the Allied drive across the Apennine Mountains and highlighted the important contribution of Indian troops in the Italian campaign.

Background

On 7 October, 3/8 Punjab moved up the ridge between Monte Cavallara and Monte Casalino. A Company occupied Point 605, and B Company took Point 655 despite German fire. A platoon subsequently reached Point 631 without opposition. C Company's attack on Point 606 was thwarted by enemy resistance.

Further advance was halted by solid German defenses at Monte Casalino. B Company attacked on 10 October but was forced back after sustained losses and terrain difficulties. A German counterattack was repelled, but the position was not taken from the Germans until 23 October, when 1/5 Gurkha Battalion took it.

Battle

By the end of September 1944, II U.S. Corps and XIII British Corps of the Fifth Army had pushed through the Gothic Line on a thirty-mile front. The right flank of advancing 1st British Division was to be defended by the 8th Indian Division. General Russell initially sent the 17th and 19th Brigades for this purpose.

On 3 October, the 1/5th Maratha Light Infantry was ordered to advance with the 21st Infantry Brigade to relieve the 17th Brigade in the vicinity of Popolano. Their targets were to capture Castello and Monte Romano. The Marathas arrived at Popolano on 7 October and waited for the result of an attack on Castello by the Royal West Kent Regiment. When that attack was foiled on the night of 11–12 October, Marathas made reconnaissance patrols, two of which led by Naik Waman Salvi and Daulat Rane of Company succeeded. On 12 October, the orders were suddenly changed, and the Marathas were instructed to relieve the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who were occupying positions from Monte Toncone eastwards towards Romano and Pianocreno.

While carrying out the offensive on Monte Pianocreno, Brigadier Mould organized a two-phase operation. 3/15th Punjab initially sought to capture Points 768 and 711, while clearing enemy troops from Verlona and Virletta was the responsibility of 1st Marathas. The Casone sector was taken over by the West Kents. Although the Punjabis captured Croce early in the morning of 18 October 1944, they were unable to capture Point 768 despite repeated attempts against stiff German opposition.

While this was being done, the Marathas, having finished their first tasks, changed their concentration point to Pianenza in order to escape enemy observation. Proceeding later in the day with artillery cover, they broke through intense shelling and captured Point 768 around mid-day. Additional reconnaissance showed Points 778 and Monte Pianocreno had been evacuated by German troops. These points were later taken over without opposition by the Marathas by early 19 October.

Casualties

Total casualties sustained during the attack were Major Pettengell wounded, Jemadar Wamantrao Shinde and five other tanks killed and two other tanks wounded.