Operation "Winter Storm", known as the "Battle of Garfagnana" to the Italians, was the Axis Christmas Offensive on the Italian Front of World War II, but at the same time it became the greatest humiliation suffered by the mighty American military of the few Italians still fighting for Mussolini. After his rescue, in 1943, Mussolini established the Italian Socialist Republic in the Italian territories controlled by the Germans. He even tried to form a military force which he placed under Marshal Rodolfo Graziani.
After the launch of the German counteroffensive in the Ardennes the German and Italian command planned a similar operation on the Italian Front with the aim of recapturing Lucca, Pisa and Livorno. The Italian forces had formed two divisions, "San Marco" and "Monte Rosa". Finally, as many forces of both were ready as were used. Tank and air support was also provided for the attacking forces. In the end, however, neither tanks nor air force were available. The attack would involve only 9,100 soldiers, mainly Italians, under the command of Colonel Mario Carloni who would be supported by about 100 guns of all types.
The general supervision of the operation was the German general Freter Pico. Due to the lack of forces, the plans had also changed. So now the objective was to push back the American 92nd Infantry Division (IP) to a depth of 25 km in order to relieve the German forces fighting in Rimini. Opposite was deployed the American 92nd Infantry Division, under Major General Edward Almond, which had been stationed in the Garfaniana area since November 1944.
The "Winter Storm" breaks out
The Allies, after the launch of the German counterattack in the Ardennes, considered a similar move by the Axis forces in Italy as possible. For this purpose, it was decided to reinforce the 92nd MP with two brigades (19th and 21st) of the 8th Indian MP. The two Indian brigades formed a second line of defense behind the 92nd Infantry along with two regiments of the American 85th MP. On December 26 the Italians, supported by three German battalions, rushed out. A total of 9,100 Axis men, most of them Italian, faced twice as many Allied troops supported by 140 guns, 120 tanks and at least 160 aircraft.
The attack was launched on December 26. It was overcast, a fact that did not allow the allied air force to act. Despite the indications, moreover, the men of the 92nd MP were left by surprise. The attackers attacked in three phalanxes, each consisting of three battalions and supported by an artillery regiment. The Left Phalanx quickly occupied the village of Somokolonia, driving out the Americans . Subsequently advanced parts of the phalanx drove the Americans to the villages of Bebio and Scarpello. The Central Phalanx also defeated the Americans opposite it and pursued them into the valley of the Serzio River and its forces also occupied the village of Fornatsi.
The Right Phalanx easily captured the village of Molazano but was repulsed at Brusiano. Despite this, he captured Calomini and after a hard battle, Bergamoli. On the morning of December 27, however, the Italians also captured Pian di Corellia, their last objective, having put the American 92nd MP to flight. However, the allied front did not split thanks to the existence of a second line.
However the defeat was indeed embarrassing. It was the first time in their entire war engagement that American troops were routed in disorder by a handful of poorly armed Italians who did not even have tanks or air support. The attack was called off on the evening of December 27. The Italians and their few German allies had managed to advance to a depth of 25 km capturing over 300 American prisoners. The total losses of the 92nd MP exceeded 1,300 men. Although the Axis forces finally abandoned the captured positions on 30 December, as there was no reason to wear them down unnecessarily, their victory remained a landmark. The Italians kept their new positions until March 1945.