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88th Infantry Division “Blue Devils” Plaques- Monte Battaglia

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Details:

In the middle of the memorial area on the mountain peak location.

Plaque


The memorial is located on the peak of Monte Battaglia (715m) and includes two plaques remembering the 88th Infantry Division actions on Monte Battaglia in September- October 1944 on the Gothic Line stronghold.  The two plaques sit within a larger Italian Memorial – Liberation and Peace Memorial (Liberazione e alla Pace), which is a sculpture of a victorious David against Goliath. There are also plaques to the German, Italian, and Commonwealth forces that fought in this battle. One 88th Division plaque describes the battle; the other remembers the names of those who fell in this battle.

 

The Gothic Line Museum located in Castel del Rio conducts battlefield tours of this location and other nearby battlefields (see this website, Castel Del Rio, Gothic Line Museum for more information).


The Second Battalion of the 350th Infantry Regiment of the 88th Infantry Division was awarded a Unit Citation their actions on Monte Battaglia and tells the story of the battle:

 

The Distinguished Unit Citation for

2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment 

Is authorized by War Department General Order 10, 1945:

 

The 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action during the period 27 September to 3 October 1944 at Mt. Battaglia, Italy. The 2nd Battalion was assigned the mission of seizing and holding strategic Mt. Battaglia. For seven days, in the face of incessant and violent counterattacks by powerful enemy forces, which at times included elements of four divisions, this battalion clung tenaciously to its positions on the objective. Each attack was preceded by artillery and mortar barrages and climaxed by bitter fire fights, use of flamethrowers by the enemy, hand-to-hand combat, bayonet charges, and grenade duels. The gallant officers and men of this battalion repulsed each attack with a marked display of fighting ability and teamwork. Evacuation of the wounded was extremely difficult because of the inclement weather conditions, the nature of the terrain, and the fact that the enemy artillery firing from the front and both flanks, covered every route of approach to Mt. Battaglia with a hail of fire. Nevertheless, all casualties were promptly evacuated by teams of litter bearers who courageously transported the wounded for long distances through artillery barrages to a point in the rear where further evacuation could be carried on by ambulances. All supplies were brought to the battalion's positions by pack mules supplemented by carrying parties. On several occasions the ammunition supply became dangerously low, and when the men exhausted their hand grenades, they resorted to throwing rocks at the oncoming enemy. Though fighting under the most adverse battle conditions, the officers and men of this battalion displayed an indomitable spirit that refused to waver under the fiercest enemy attacks. The outstanding fighting ability and magnificent courage displayed by the 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment are exemplary of the finest traditions of the Army of the United States.


Two soldiers were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their actions and bravery on Monte Battaglia: Captain Robert E. Roeder (Company G) and Staff Sergeant Manuel "Arizona Kid" Mendoza (Company B) both of the 350th Infantry.

Monument Text:

The text on the first plaque is written in English and Italian.  The English reads:

 

TO THE MEN OF THE 350TH INFANTRY REGIMENT

88TH INFANTRY DIVISION

U.S. ARMY

 

ON THIS MOUNTAIN

FROM 27 SEPTEMBER TO 5 OCTOBER 1944

THE MEN OF THE REGIMENT

OFTEN FIGHTING WITH KNIVES AND BARE HANDS,

WITHSTOOD CONTINUOUS AND SAVAGE ATTACKS

BY EVERY UNIT THE ENEMY COULD ASSEMBLE.

MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND OF THESE MEN,

ALMOST THE ENTIRE FORCE EMPLOYED

WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED

IN THE SUCCESSFUL EFFORT TO HOLD THIS ANCHOR

OF THE FIFTH ARMY RIGHT FLANK.

 

The text of the second plaque is written in English and reads:

(88th Infantry Division Symbol)

 

88th DIVISION -  350th REGIMENT

 

Monte Battaglia, Sept. 27 to Oct. 5, 1944

 

THEY DIED FOR THE FREEDOM OF ITALY

 

 

(SEE PICTURE FOR LIST OF NAMES)

 

 

 

REMEMBER THEM