Tip of the Avalanche

Tip of the Avalanche by Keith Rocco. Salerno, Italy -- September 9, 1943.

The U.S. Army's longest World War II campaign began in Italy on September 9, 1943, when the Texas National Guard's 36th Infantry Division landed at Salerno, south of Naples. Operation AVALANCHE was the first Allied thrust onto the European continent.

The "Texas" Division, federalized in November 1940, shipped out two and a half years later for North Africa. The "T-Patchers" did not take part in the Sicily campaign of July-August 1943, but instead were selected as the American VI Corps' assault division for AVALANCHE.

On September 3rd, the British Eighth Army landed at Calabria on the toe of the Italian boot. Allied planners hoped that this would pull the Germans south, away from the main landing at Salerno. Over the objections of his naval task force commander, Fifth Army commander Lt. Gen. Mark Clark vetoed a pre-invasion bombardment in favor of a surprise landing.

Unfortunately for the Texans, the Germans saw them coming. Landing craft carrying the first waves of the 141st and 142nd Infantry were 300 yards from shore at about 3:15a.m. when German shells began falling. Landing craft took direct hits, spilling men into the sea; disabled boats created a logjam. Machine gun fire greeted the men who made it to the beach, but in small groups the T-Patchers began fighting their way inland.

At 5:30 a.m., much-needed artillery landed, and the 151st Field Artillery and the 143rd Infantry's Cannon Company repulsed an armored attack. During the next two days German attention turned to the British sector, allowing the 36th to consolidate and move inland as reinforcements, including parts of Oklahoma's 45th Division, arrived. But Kesselring was gathering units for a counterattack, and by September 12th six panzer divisions faced the Allies, whose units were so decimated by the fierce fighting over the next two days that Clark began planning for evacuation.

But Allied air superiority, and superb naval gunnery, finally drove the Germans back. Salerno was secured -- but the battle up the mountainous Italian peninsula, where Germans held the high ground, had just begun for the 36th Infantry Division, the first U.S. division to land on the continent of Europe

Source: National Guard Heritage Paintings.

Above: Key parts of the battlefield looking north from the U.S. lines toward the German positions.

Salerno plus 65 logo

What: Large scale battle reenactment of Axis counterattack on the Salerno Beachhead Sept 14, 1943.  Time Line of Texas military history. Adjutant General’s Oktoberfest activities.

When: Sat. Oct. 18, 2008

Where: Camp Swift, near Bastrop, Texas.  Camp Swift is located on Texas State Highway 95 between the city of Elgin on Texas State Highway 290 and the city of Bastrop on Texas State Highway 71. Bastrop and Elgin are each about 30 minutes driving time from the edge of Austin.

Entrance to the event will be at Gate 5, located on FM 2336.

Map showing location of event

Why: To commemorate the sixty-fifth anniversary of the battle of Salerno, honor our World War II veterans, educate the public on the full range of Texas military history, and support the men and women wearing the uniform today.

Host: Texas Army and Air National Guard, Texas Military Forces Museum

Event Coordinator: Jeff Hunt. Email: [email protected] Phone: 512-782-5770

Who: All living history groups and military vehicle collectors or clubs related to Texas military history are invited to attend. This includes: Texas Revolution, Indian Wars, Mexican-American War, War Between the States, Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars, World War I, World War II, Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War.  All Allied and Axis World War II impressions welcome. Civilian impressions relevant to the above also welcome.

Registration Fee: None

Registration: Required. Please register for the event here: Registration Form.

Amenities: Access to showers and indoor latrines, shaded display and camping area, nearby parking, realistic WWII battlefield, free access and use of military barracks for those who pre-register, access to all Oktoberfest events on Camp Swift.

Arrival and Set Up: 17 October

Billeting: Barracks will be open for use afternoon of 17 Oct through morning of 19 Oct

Departure: All reenactors and equipment need to be off site no later than 10 a.m. on Sunday morning to allow troops to move into area for training.

Concept of Operations, Non WWII:  Establish living history camps and displays in general area of operations open to public. Provide living history interpretation to military personnel and general public. Area set aside for living history and military vehicle displays is in shaded, well-cleared pine forest, immediately adjacent to WWII battlefield, water, power, barracks, showers and restrooms facilities.  Different areas will be designated for different time periods and impressions.

Concept of Operations, World War II: Establish living history camps or displays in general area of operations open to the public.  Some set up of WWII battlefield will occur on Friday 17 OCT.  However, due to necessity to keep the WWII battlefield clear of obstacles for the paratroop drop demonstration which will take place at 1000 on 18 OCT, we will not be able to occupy the reenactment battlefield until after the jump.  This will give units five hours to move into position, establish their area of operations, etc.  This should be sufficient time. 

This will be a vehicle intensive scenario, aimed at replicating the German armored counterattack that nearly spilt the Allied beachhead in two on D + 4.  A German strongpoint will be established on a prominent rise covered by tall grass. This will be a concealed position. Allied forces will stage from their own positions immediately in front of the crowd line.  Allied armor will be “off stage” and all German armor and vehicles will be on the reverse slope of the ridge dominating the battlefield.

Allied troops will began the scenario by attacking toward the German positions only to be pinned down by intense fire from the enemy strongpoint.  Once the Allies are bogged down and engaged in a firefight with the strongpoint, a German motorized wedge, with armor in the lead, will begin its advance, topping the ridge and driving into the Allied line, forcing it back to its starting point.

The German attack will nearly reach the Allied main line, only to be stopped by anti-tank guns, naval bombardment and Allied armor which will launch a counterattack into the German right flank.  The Axis forces will be driven back, the Allies in pursuit. Eventually the Allies will capture the German strongpoint, raise the U.S. flag and end the scenario.

There will be a good amount of military style pyrotechnics. These will be placed in cordoned off areas in the path of the German advance. This will enable reenactors to steer clear of the danger zones while making it appear from the crowd line that shells are landing in the midst of the enemy force.

The battle should last 40 minutes to one hour.

Vehicles already committed to the event:

General Information:

Firearms and Ammunition: Naturally we encourage you to bring whatever historic firearms are useful for you impression or your encampment. Dummy ammunition is allowed, but absolutely NO LIVE AMMUNITION may be brought on post.  If you are bringing a Class Three Firearm on post please have your paperwork on hand in case it is needed.

Campfires: Are permitted, but we are not allowed to dig fire pits on base.  If you wish to have campfires please bring an appropriate container in which to build them.

Deportment:  We will all be representatives of the Texas Military Forces and our veterans at this event.  Please be sensitive as to your language while in front of the public, and treat controversial historical subjects with tact.  We ask that you remain in first person character as much as possible while in your display area.  No illegal substances of any kind will be permitted on post and speed limits must be strictly observed.  We discourage alcohol on post.

If you wish to have alcohol in your encampment please practice moderation.  Excessive rowdiness, drunkenness, use of illegal substances or unsafe activity with firearms, animals or vehicles will not be tolerated and violators will be asked to leave the post.

Safety:  Both your safety and that of the public are paramount. EMTs will be on hand at all times. The nearest hospital is 30 minutes away.  Proper and safe handling of firearms, animals, vehicles, ammunition and pyrotechnics is expected at all times. No projectiles may be launched from any weapon at any time during the event.

Authenticity of impressions will be strictly enforced. As a public, educational and commemorative event, it is vital that all participants wear correct uniform and equipment for their impression.  Hair cuts, mustaches and beards MUST conform to proper military standards for the time period you are representing. This applies to both male and female participants.  Watches must also be of period look or vintage.  Anachronisms in the camps must be completely hidden during public hours. Rations eaten in display areas must have a period appearance. Authenticity of attitude is also important and everyone wearing a military uniform will be expected to behave in a manner that reflects positively on the armed forces and our veterans.  During the battle scenario troops will be expected to act in a realistic manner and follow orders passed through the chain of command. Anyone who cannot adhere to the authenticity and safety standards of the event will be asked to leave.

Rank: You may wear whatever rank, below that of a general officer, that is appropriate to your impression in the display areas. In order to maintain historical authenticity and ensure appropriate command and control during the World War II battle reenactment rank above that of NCO will be assigned by the event staff. A unit that brings 6 to 8 men will be entitled to a Sergeant, a unit with 10 to 18 men will be entitled to a Lieutenant, a unit with 20 or more men may have a Captain. No higher ranks will be permitted on the battlefield without approval. Specialist such as Chaplains, Medical personnel, etc. may wear rank appropriate to their position with approval by event staff.

Organization: We encourage the participation of all units and will respect unit integrity. Units may be grouped together with outfits with similar impressions and assigned a “group” commander to facilitate command and control on the battlefield. Individuals not attached to a standing unit will be assigned to one. Specialist troops (MPs, vehicle crews, chaplains, medical personnel, etc) will be assigned to overall headquarters of both Axis and Allied commands.