Chapter six: Italy, the backwater campaign, part II
As the order to withdraw from reaches the front-line unit at midnight of the 20th reaches the troops the 17 divisions attempt to break free from combat. However, in several parts of the front the German troops are unable to break contact and an orderly and unopposed withdraw will be out of the question.
At dawn most of the divisions are conducting a fighting withdraw, although not successful all along the front. Shifting the line of combat a hundred kilometres to the north is no easy task. Organisation had suffered during the night-time movement and when the Commonwealth and American divisions renew their attack in the morning chaos ensues in the rear. Commander of Heeresgruppe C; von Küch has seen enough and orders a retreat while he attempts speeding up the troops marching to man the Gothic line.
From the West more troops are brought to the front as first two, then three corps are taken from Blaskowitchs Heeresgrupp G defending the coast of Southern France. Depleted divisions taken back from the Italian front will replace these forces, at least, that is the plan.
Later that week, the first troops arrive at the “Genghis Khan” line from the East. Their comrades on the “Gothic line” are digging in. On the front the pressure grows and the withdraw becomes ever more chaotic. No real panic yet however.