HISTORY OF THE FIRST DIVISION Florence to Monte Grande

The First Division delivered - immediately after leaving Italy and transferring to Palestine - two first-class Divisional Histories detailing its role in the allied advance in Italy and the capture of Rome. The first covered the "Anzio campaign, January-June 1944" and the second completed its story with the breaking of the Gothic Line in "Florence to Monte Grande: August 1944-January 1945". Both of these Mediterranean Theatre Histories have now been reprinted by N&MP.

The division landed at Anzio on 22 January 1944 under the command of the US VI Corps. It sustained heavy casualties during the battle for Anzio. It remained in the Anzio beach-head until the breakout. It then rested and refitted after its long period of front-line duty. The division was involved in the battle for the Gothic Line between 25 August and 22 September 1944.

Having fought at Anzio from January 1944 until May 1944 under the command of the US VI Corps, the division returned to British command on 1 July 1944 when it came under the command of V Corps. It then rested and refitted prior to further operational deployments. Major General C F Loewen assumed command on 24 July 1944, replacing Major General Penny, and he remained in command until the end of the war. The division was involved in the battle for the Gothic Line between 25 August and 22 September 1944