The Battle of Ortona was a week of intense close combat fighting between Canadian and German soldiers that lasted from December 20th to the 28th, 1943. For the Canadian soldiers, this gruesome battle was the bloodiest conflict of the Italian Campaign to date. The enticing town of Ortona transformed to rubble within a week, as the Canadian and German soldiers underwent ferocious house-to-house fighting. With German soldiers posted in every house and every block, the Canadians turned to using snipers, mines, and other traps which caused much bloodshed. Despite the strength of the Germans, Canada captured Ortona, which later became known as one of Canada’s most prestigious victories during the war. How did Canada prove itself so powerful throughout this week of vicious fighting, and how did it represent Canada’s fortitude in the war?
Previous to Canadian soldiers fighting in Ortona, New Zealand had had their forces conflicting with the Germans. The New Zealand division was to weak to overcome the Germans, and thus a stalemate was produced. After losing roughly 1,200 soldiers, the New Zealand forces retreated and left the battle up to Canada. Canadian soldiers were well rested coming in to the battle ahead, and under new leadership from Chris Vokes. Vokes was a loud, intelligent, and energetic commander who had received vast praise for his outstanding performance during the Infantry Brigade of Sicily.
The day for Canada to indulge in the combat had arrived. The Canadian troops had made their way to the Ortona-Orsogna coastal highway, under leadership of their new commander. The Canadians then drew out the German forces, and attacked them at nightfall causing many Germans to retreat. A series of counter-attacks on the retreating Germans allowed the Canadians to advance foreword.
“Soaking wet, in a morass of mud, against an enemy fighting harder than he has fought before, the Canadians attack, attack and attack … the hillsides and farmlands and orchards are a ghastly brew of fire …listen to the echo of those shells!” – Matthew Halton.
The Canadians had gathered their forces, and planned a right hook assault out of the Hastings bridgehead. German paratroopers had arrived at the Hastings bridgehead as the Canadians attacked, and the two sides viciously fought. Whilst this battle raged on, a second regiment of the Canadian forces established a strong base of operation for a morning assault on the edge of San Leonardo.
The following day was one of the hardest of the campaign, bringing many of the Canadians tanks down, and facing several counter attacks from the Germans. For the next eight days, Canada fought brutally trying to advance their forces to Ortona. These eight days were fierce, with nearly 1,000 Canadian fatalities. With such harsh conditions in the battle, Canada was nearly forced into a stalemate with the opposing forces.
As the Canadians moral was low, a glint of hope was shone. A small track was discovered leading around the right flank on the Germans. A divine set of troops went out, and used this track to surprise attack the Germans and seize Casa Berardi.
With Casa Berardi captured by the Canadians, the allied forces could now group up and advance together strategically. The next objective of assault was the Cider Corssroads. Using vast artillery, and strategic attacks the crossroads were captured in a short amount of time.
The German soldiers were ordered to stay strong and keep on fighting, despite losing control of the Ortona road. Four divisions of Canadian soldiers attacked, flanking and cornering the remaining German soldiers on the road. After five days of bitter fighting, Canada had gained control of Ortona on December 27th.
The Canadians now fought in Ortona house by house, using a new strategy called “Mouse-holing”. Mouse-holing was the technique of starting on the top floor of a house and blasting through the roof with grenades. More grenades were then used to clear out the bottoms of the building, and then the troops would move on to the next house.
The battle became known World wide, as Canada had shown their fortitude and power in strategy and teamwork. War correspondents anxious to cover the last phase of a month-long campaign arrived in Ortona and quickly revised their initial optimistic reports. Ortona became “little Stalingrad” as radio journalist Matthew Halton and reporter Ralph Allen wrote feature stories on the battle. Ortona was a victory for all of the Canadian troops, and all Canadians. Men left their homes and families to fight in the war because they were needed. Soldiers had forged bonds with their comrades, and fought with skill and determination.