British Landings at Peter Beach - The Road to Rome

The Allied landings at Anzio, codenamed Operation Shingle, commenced on January 22, 1944, with the objective of breaking through the German Gustav Line and facilitating the capture of Rome. The landings took place at Peter Beach, a key coastal sector selected for its proximity to the Via Anziate, a crucial route to Rome. The operation was planned to surprise the German forces, but the subsequent delays in advancing inland led to a prolonged and bloody stalemate.

British Landings at Peter Beach - The Road to Rome

The Allied landings at Anzio, codenamed Operation Shingle, commenced on January 22, 1944, with the objective of establishing a beachhead and advancing towards Rome. The primary aim was to sever German supply lines and disrupt their communications, forcing a strategic withdrawal and relieving pressure on the main Allied forces further south. The landings took place at Peter Beach, a key coastal sector selected for its proximity to the Via Anziate, a crucial route to Rome. The operation was planned to surprise the German forces, but the subsequent delays in advancing inland led to a prolonged and bloody stalemate.

Peter Beach - The British Landing Sector **

·  Located to the north of Anzio, Peter Beach was the designated landing sector for the British forces during the Anzio landings on January 22, 1944, as part of Operation Shingle.

• The British 1st Infantry Division was tasked with securing the beachhead and advancing inland towards the Via Anziate, a crucial supply route to Rome.
• The initial landings met minimal resistance, but the delay in advancing inland allowed German forces to regroup and fortify positions.
• Walk along the coastline to observe the landing zones and discuss the objectives, challenges, and initial progress of the British forces.
• Discuss the strategic importance of Peter Beach in the broader context of the Anzio Campaign and the push towards Rome.
• Discussion on the objectives and initial resistance met by the British troops.

Anzio War Cemetery **

• Visit the Commonwealth cemetery to pay respects to the fallen soldiers.
• Focus on the graves of British units, highlighting key regiments involved in the Anzio Campaign.
• Optional: Personalized route to locate specific graves of family members or soldiers from the visitor’s hometown.

Aprilia ("The Factory") **

• Aprilia was founded in 1937 as part of Mussolini’s land reclamation and modernization projects in the Pontine Marshes. The town was built using distinctive red bricks, giving it a factory-like appearance that led British soldiers to nickname it "The Factory."
• The town became a key battleground due to its strategic position along the Via Anziate, serving as a stronghold for German forces attempting to repel the Allied advance.
• Discuss the fierce urban combat faced by the British 1st and 56th Divisions against German defenders entrenched in the town.
• Visit significant points in the reconstructed town and discuss its strategic significance during the battle.
• The British soldiers referred to it as "The Factory" due to its red-brick architecture, reminiscent of industrial buildings in the UK.
• Visit significant points in the reconstructed town and discuss its strategic significance during the battle.

The Wadis and the Memorial to Eric Fletcher Waters and the British Missing in Action **

• The wadis, natural drainage channels and gullies, became deadly battlegrounds where British forces encountered fierce German resistance.
• Walk along the wadis and discuss how the terrain provided cover for German forces while exposing British soldiers to devastating crossfire.
• The area also serves as a poignant reminder of the many British soldiers declared missing in action, including Eric Fletcher Waters, the father of Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, who was killed during the February 1944 fighting.
• Visit the nearby memorial dedicated to the British missing in action, where personal messages and epitaphs offer a solemn reflection on the sacrifices made by these men.
• Stop at one of the key wadis used as defensive positions by the Germans.

Bespoke Itinerary Based on Family Experience **

• Create a customized itinerary based on the specific experiences of a visitor’s father, grandfather, or other relatives who served in the Anzio Campaign.
• Include locations of key battles, memorials, and areas of personal significance.
• Research and highlight units, regiments, and actions relevant to the visitor’s family history.

Beach Head War Cemetery **

• Visit the Beach Head Cemetery, where over 2,300 Commonwealth soldiers are buried.
• Focus on the British graves and discuss their contributions to the Anzio campaign.

The Breakout Site **

• End the tour at the point where British forces broke through the German defensive lines in late May 1944.
• Recap the strategic importance of the breakout and its impact on the advance towards Rome.

British Divisions and Units Involved (January - June 1944) **

• British 1st Infantry Division
• British 5th Infantry Division
• British 56th Infantry Division
• British 46th Infantry Division
• British 2nd Commando Brigade
• British 78th Infantry Division
• British 8th Armoured Brigade
• British 6th Armoured Division
• British 4th Infantry Division
• British Guards Brigade
• British 24th Guards Brigade
• Royal Engineers and Support Units
• Royal Artillery Units
• Royal Tank Regiment
• Special Air Service (SAS) Units
• British Paratrooper Units (including the 2nd Parachute Brigade)

Contact Information **

For more information, custom itineraries, and tour bookings, please contact:

·  Email: danila.bracaglia@gmail.com

·  Cell/WhatsApp: +39 338 2458831