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Battle of Salerno

9 Sep 1943 — Italy’s surrender has been announced only hours before Allied troops come ashore at Salerno, on the Italian mainland.

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Map: Battle of Salerno, 9 September 1943
9 SEPTEMBER 1943 · THE WAR ROOM — WW2, 1936–1945

The moment in context

The front at Kursk offered Germany an appealing target. Soviet territory projected into German-held ground in a large salient, and attacks from north and south might meet behind it, trapping the forces inside. After Stalingrad, such a victory in Operation Citadel promised to restore confidence in Germany’s ability to take the initiative. Its very shape, however, made the likely target apparent. Soviet intelligence supplied warning, and German delays while awaiting new tanks gave Soviet commanders more time to prepare.

From Kursk and the fall of Mussolini, chapter 10 of The War Room — WW2, 1936–1945 (JUL 1943).

The place: Battle of Salerno — map and full story →

Teach this in 5 minutes

Then ask the room: Why did Soviet commanders choose to receive the German attack at Kursk before counterattacking? The argued answer is on the chapter page →

The atlas that shows it

The War Room — WW2, 1936–1945
15 CHAPTERS · AN INTERACTIVE SITUATION MAP

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