Figure 1.--Land mines were an important part of the Gustav Line defenses. The Germans began the War only two basic mine types. They had by 1944 developed several types of higly effective mines. The January 9, 1945 wire photo caption read, "Innocent victims of Nazi war machine: Two hyoung Italian children sit with clasoed hasnds as they participate in Epiphany services in Leghorn, Italy. The two little boys lost both their legs when they walked on German mines left behind by the retreating Nazis."

While poorly supported, the German forces in Italy had the advantage of terraine that provided a natural barrier, something that the German forces in northern Europe did not enjoy. The Allies did not cut off the Germans defending the Gutav Line from withdrawing through Rome (June 1944). Thus they were able to dig in again. The Allies were confronted with a new German defensive line--the Gothic Line (Massa-Rimini fortifications). It was constructed by Kesselring in the Northern Appenines Mountains (August 1944). It was the most heavily fortified position the German prepared in Italy, largely because they had more time to prepare it. The German defenses were anchored on the rivers, streams, and other waterways flowing down from the mountains to the sea. An important part of the Goyhic Line was the central Italian city of Bologna. This was an imoprtant rail and road communications hub situated only a few miles north of the German defensive belt. Acres of timber land had been cut over to make unbroken fields of fire. Large numbers of land mines were laid. The land mind was not one of the weapons that the Germans had given much attention when they lauched World War II, but this changed when military defeats forced them to wage defensive warfare. Innovative new types were produced and in large numbers. Italy was perfectly suited for mines because of the narrow front line.

Created: 9:31 AM 7/28/2011
Last updated: 9:31 AM 7/28/2011