Ambush of an enemy patrol

21st October 1943: A US Army infantry unit has developed a steely resolve in just a few months of fighting

Flak over the front in Italy 1943

US mortar crew marches along trail. Burdened down with guns and ammunition, U.S. mortar crews make their way up a steep mountain trail in the Venafro sector. After unloading mule-packs they proceed on foot to selected positions.

The Allies had made some progress in Italy as soon as they were over the Volturno river but they very soon ran into the next line of German defences. The war then reverted to trench warfare, as each side tried to batter each other with artillery. In amongst it, the infantry were expected to send out probing patrols to find the exact positions of the other side, perhaps to capture a prisoner for intelligence.

Trained to kill without an instant’s hesitation or an atom of mercy, they want only the opportunity to blow us into mincemeat.