Italian soldiers who had joined the Allies moved into positions in the Mignano area. They were veterans who had served in France, Russia, Africa, but they had had little chance to develop teamwork. They piled out of busses marked Roma O Morte (Rome or Death), went into the line noisily, clumsily, gave the enemy 36 hours' notice that an attack was brewing.
In their first action as an Italian Army unit since Italy surrendered, they wanted desperately to make good. Through the cold dawn the infantry moved up the hill with spirit, cheered by the friendly Americans. They forged ahead, swept to...
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