Rome to the Po River: The 362nd Infantry Division, 1944–45

The German perspective of the battle of Rome. In late 1943, 362. Infanterie-Division was formed around the remnants of 268. Infanterie-Division, which had been disbanded after high casualties on the Eastern Front. It fought at Anzio in early 1944, overrun when the Allied broke through the German lines in April. During its time at Anzio, the division was involved in the Benedicta massacre. The unit was withdrawn to Rome. Facing the Allied advance, it suffered further losses and had to be rebuilt once more. Returning to the front, it then fought until late April 1945, when it surrendered. This account focuses on the efforts of 362. Infanterie-Division to turn back the Allied forces from their advance north in late 1944 and early 1945. Its commander, Heinz Greiner led the division in a series of counterattacks against Allied forces outside Rome that slowed Allied progress. While Greiner did not have access to the unit war diary while writing this account his experience as commander of 362. Infanterie-Division thoughout this period means that it offers a unique insight into the battle from the German perspective well as a thorough account of the reestablishment, training and combat performance of a German division. AUTHOR: Heinz Greiner was a general of the Wehrmacht during World War II. His division along with much of Army Group Center was destroyed during Operation Bagration in the summer of 1944 and he was transferred to Italy where he commanded 362nd Infantry Division. Wounded in combat he was released from hospital in April 1945, when he began preparations for the orderly surrender of German troops in Italy and south Germany, deposing Nazi officials who attempted a final defence of Munich. He spent two years as an Allied prisoner of war and was released and retired in 1947.

Table of Contents:
Introduction The Battle for Rome – Reestablishment and training of 362nd Infantry Division; The last general attack against the beachhead at Anzio-Nettuno; The Allied breakout from the beachhead; Delaying operations Battle in the Appennines Battle on the Po – Refitting the 362nd Infantry Division; Delaying operations between November 44 and surrender in May 45 Afterword Appendices

About the Author :
Heinz Greiner was a general of the Wehrmacht during World War II. His division along with much of Army Group Center was destroyed during Operation Bagration in the summer of 1944 and he was transferred to Italy where he commanded 362nd Infantry Division. Wounded in combat he was released from hospital in April 1945, when he began preparations for the orderly surrender of German troops in Italy and south Germany, deposing Nazi officials who attempted a final defence of Munich. He spent two years as an Allied prisoner of war and was released and retired in 1947. Linden Lyons holds a master’s degree in history from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. He studied German at the University of Freiburg and librarianship at the University of Canberra. He is the translator of several titles in the Die Wehrmacht im Kampf series, most recently Counter-Strike Operations, Normandy, and Rome to the Po River. Matthias Strohn, MSt (Oxon), DPhil (Oxon), FRHistS, is head of historical analysis at the Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research and the British Army’s strategic think tank, visiting professor of military studies at the University of Buckingham, and a member of the academic faculty at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Matthias was educated at the universities of Münster (Germany) and Oxford. He holds a commission in the German Army and is a member of the military attaché reserve. He deployed to Iraq (with the British Army) and Afghanistan (with both the British Army and the German Bundeswehr). Matthias was awarded the highest German military decoration, the ‘Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr in Gold,’ and has published widely on 20th-century German and European military history; he has authored and edited over 20 books and numerous articles.

Review :
"As an operational analysis of the Italian campaign on the division level, the book is priceless, and the elegant translation by Linden Lyons will doubtless help it find an audience."-- "Journal of Military History" "Greiner places particular emphasis on the performance and sacrifice of the German infantry..."-- "ARGunners.com" "...this book shines when it comes to understanding the campaigns on a lower level than has normally shown us by authors."-- "A Wargamers Needful Things" "...the overall impressions about the ability to hold ground and even launch counterattacks with minimal numbers of organized troops will make you think twice about WWII rules for the tabletop."-- "Historical Miniatures Gaming Society"