April 27 and 29, 1945, Mussolini's death

A prisoner of war cage was established at Quistello, where the majority of the 5,000 Germans captured during the day and night were held. Captured trucks were used to evacuate prisoners to the rear, a task completed after dawn on April 24. Among the captives were several full colonels and 69 other officers.

200 prisoners on their way to the rear after being captured by Company B,
87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Tole area, Italy, April 1945.
Photographer: McWhirter, 196th Signal PhotoCompany. Photo Source:
U.S. National Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive. Public domain.

Meanwhile, plans for the river crossing were finalized. The 3rd Battalion was tasked with breaking contact, assembling near S. Lucia, and crossing on a broad front on the left beach at H-Hour (the specific hour set for launching a tactical operation). The 1st Battalion received orders to cross in the right sector, with an assembly area east of Quingentole. The 2nd Battalion’s mission was to hold the south bank until the bridgehead was secure, then assume control of part of the sector between the two battalions. An artillery preparation lasting 15 minutes, involving 96 guns, was ordered. Intelligence indicated that the Po River Line was the Germans’ strongest defense in Italy, with elaborate installations. The enemy’s ability to organize a stand at the river was uncertain, but preparations were made assuming strong resistance. Engineers planned to install and operate two infantry support rafts.

Early on the morning of April 24, the companies moved into position. After a few postponements, H-Hour was finally set at 8:30 AM. At this time, the mortars put down a smoke barrage on the far bank, the six artillery battalions began their preparation, and the 70 loaded assault boats pushed out from shore. At 8:44 AM, the first wave hit the far shore without receiving any retaliatory fire, and riflemen were soon racing across the first phase line. By 9:08 AM, the second wave was landed safely, completing the crossing of two entire infantry battalions. The bridgehead was secured without firing a round. Troops passed reinforced dugouts, well-constructed emplacements, and skillfully camouflaged blockhouses—but all were unmanned. Swiftly, the bridgehead was enlarged as the towns of Sustinente, Cassle, and Bastia were entered and passed. At 10:40 AM, the 2nd Battalion was put across the water in the left sector. The engineers worked hard to prepare the two raft sites, and by early afternoon, the rafts were in operation. At 3 PM, 15 amphibious cargo trucks arrived at the beaches, moving necessary equipment across the river. The 1st Battalion ran into some spotted resistance, which was quickly disposed of, resulting in a few prisoners taken.

American soldiers of the 85th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, with field
glasses, looking at scenes near the point of embarkation for the crossing of the
Po River. This is the south bank of the Po River approximately 1½ miles from
San Benedetto, at a point where the river is 1/4 of a mile wide, April 24, 1945.
Photographer: Harris, 196th Signal Photo Company. Photo Source: U.S. National
Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive. Public domain.

At 3:45 PM, the 2nd Battalion passed through the 1st Battalion, which swung east as flank security. By late afternoon, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions had organized a defense line from Nosedole to Bisarina and were patrolling to the north. Orders were to hold this line and assist the 339th Infantry in passing through. This passage of lines was completed on the morning of April 25, and the rest of the day was spent in reorganization and rehabilitation. The troops were finally able to get some much-needed sleep.

On April 26, the regiment, having rested in division reserve, received a verbal order from the Commanding General at 1 PM to move immediately to Vigasio. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions were motorized using Antitank and Cannon Companies and arrived in the new area by 3:15 PM. However, the 2nd Battalion was redirected at 3:45 PM to the recently captured city of Verona. Their mission was to serve as a protective garrison and secure the south bank of the Adige River. Meanwhile, the rest of the regiment established a new temporary camp.

Tanks of the 13th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, attached to the 10th
Mountain Division, passes down street in Verona, Italy, April 26, 1945.
Photographer: Schmidt, 196th Signal Photo Company. Photo Source:
U.S. National Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive. Public domain.

Throughout the night, the 2nd Battalion diligently patrolled the streets of Verona. However, at 7 AM on April 27, their mission was abruptly canceled. Subsequently, the 2nd Battalion relocated to the southern outskirts of Verona.

For three days, from April 27 to April 29, the regiment maintained its position in the division reserve. Meanwhile, the regiments involved in the assault methodically crossed the Adige River and made steady progress through the hills to the north of Verona.

Troops of G Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, go through
newly liberated Verona to clear it for temporary quarters, April, 1945.
Photographer: Schmidt, 3131st Signal Service Company. Photo Source:
U.S. National Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive. Public domain.

Johnnie, burdened by his duties, had been unable to write Lucile since his letter on April 17. However, with his regiment now settled in a temporary camp, he took a moment to write a V-mail to Lucile on April 27, 1945. As was his custom, he merely alluded to the events that had consumed his days, leaving much unsaid.

My Dear Darling,

Just a few lines to let you know that I have received the pictures of Mickey and also three letters from you. I have been hearing from you pretty regular now. This is my first letter to you I have been able to write in about two weeks. As you know by listening to the radio and reading the papers that we have started pushing the German’s again and we really haven’t had any time at all to do anything as we have been on the move all the time. I hope this finds you in the best of health. As for myself, I am OK. Mickey really looked good in the pictures. I will send it back to you the first chance I get. How is Mom Stacks? Give her and all the family my regards. Will close for now. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

On April 28, 1945, Benito Mussolini, his mistress Claretta Petacci, and several other fascists were executed in the village of Giulino de Mezzegra. After the execution, their bodies were taken to Milan, Italy and left on the ground in the Piazzale Loreto. Wikipedia notes that “… Their bodies were left in a heap, and by 9:00 a.m. a considerable crowd had gathered. The corpses were pelted with vegetables, spat at, urinated on, shot at and kicked; Mussolini’s face was disfigured by beatings. An American eyewitness described the crowd as ‘sinister, depraved, out of control.’ After a while, the bodies were hoisted up on to the metal girder framework of a half-built Standard Oil service station, and hung upside down on meat hooks … .” The postcard below, found in the box with Johnnie’s letters, captures that haunting moment in history. The photograph was taken at Piazzale Loreto in Milan, Italy, on April 28 or 29, 1945. The third body from the left is Mussolini; the second body belongs to his mistress. 

Although Johnnie was approximately 140 miles away from this event, it is likely that news of Mussolini’s death would have travelled to the temporary camp in Verona.  

Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler during Mussolini’s
visit in Munich (June 1940). Unidentified photographer,
public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Johnnie’s V-mail to Lucile on April 29, 1945, made no mention of Mussolini or the events unfolding in Milan. Instead, his thoughts were consumed by concern for her well-being and the mystery behind her recent fainting spell.

My Dear Darling,

I received three letters today. One from you, your Mother, and Louise. Not bad, is it? That’s the first letter I have received from Mom Stacks in a long time. Sure was glad to hear from her. But was sorry to hear she was having so much trouble with everything. I am glad to hear that Woodrow is around to help look after things for her. O’yeah, honey, you said in this letter that you were up on a ladder and that you fainted and fell off. What you said was that it didn’t hurt you at all which I hope is the truth. But what made you faint? There was some reason, you know. I’ve never known you to faint before. Let me know the facts. By the way, did you know Evelyn and Bill are going to have another baby? She will have an Army all her on before long, Ha Ha. I miss you a lot and I love you a million.

Always, Johnnie

On April 29, 1945, Johnnie wrote a V-mail to Lucile’s mother, alluding to family matters without delving into specifics.

Dear Mom Stacks,

I received your letter and I can’t write how much I was glad to hear from you. But when not hearing from you I know as soon as you get able, you will drop me a line. I didn’t mind waiting because I could feel and knew about what you were going through. I am sorry to hear the way Charles Stacks and the rest turned out to be. When Lucile wrote me and told me the way they were trying to treat you I couldn’t hardly believe it. But you always find out about people who you think are your friends sooner or later, right? Yes, I know how you feel about Cecil and Mickey being away from home. But the way things are going, maybe it won’t be for long. You said in this letter you might open you up a paint store. I think that would be nice, to run some kind of a small business. But as you say, it is hard to tell just what to do until things clear up a little bit. Well Mom, I will have to close for now. Lots, lots love. Tell all hello for me.

Johnnie