Po Valley Campaign continues

As the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon advanced toward Casalecchio, they encountered a small enemy group at Riale. By 3:30 PM, Company C, now part of the 2nd Battalion, had reached C. di Mezzo, just 1200 yards from Casalecchio. Reinforced by tanks and tank destroyers, the leading company engaged in a fierce battle, capturing the town of Ceretolo by 6 PM. However, heavy enemy fire from the north and northeast prevented further progress beyond Ceretolo. At 4:30 PM, the 2nd Battalion secured the Communale Bridge with one rifle company. Meanwhile, our rapid advance had bypassed enemy units in the hills between the Lavino and Reno Rivers, leading them to retreat northward. The 2nd Battalion strategically positioned itself to cut off escape routes, except for Casalecchio, where hundreds of prisoners were apprehended. By 5 PM, the 1st Battalion (excluding Company C) reached the final objective, gathering enemy stragglers. Later, the 6th South African Armored Division entered Casalecchio, and the 2nd Battalion completed their assigned outpost line. By midnight, the 3rd Battalion secured the final objective and established a defensive position, while the 2nd Battalion repelled three counterattacks. During the night, the 338th Infantry passed through the forward line, and the 351st Infantry (88th Infantry Division) relieved the 2nd Battalion at 2:15 AM, continuing the attack northward. The final prisoner of war count for the day was over 600. The regiment rested for the night, the first sleep for many men in three or more days.

Cover page of CMH Pub 72-33 “Po Valley: The U.S. Army Campaigns of
World War II,” Washington, D.C., Center of Military History,
U.S. Army, public domain

On April 21, 1945, troops received a warning order to follow the 338th Infantry on foot. The move began at 9:30 AM, led by the 1st Battalion. They headed due north to Highway 9, then northwest to Anzola. After noon, all units converged near the town and rested until 6:30 PM, when they were ordered to relocate to an area north of Budrie.

As organizations moved into the new area, commanders assembled at 9 PM to receive instructions for the next operation. The regiment had been ordered to pass through the forward elements of the 338th Infantry at 7 AM, short of the Pinaro River, and continue to the Po River. To cover the 20-mile distance, the Regimental Commander grounded the Antitank and Cannon Companies, using their prime movers and available organic trucks to motorize the 2nd and 3rd Battalions. These battalions formed task forces, reinforced with tanks, tank destroyers, engineers, the 85th Reconnaissance Troop, and a platoon of self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery. The only bridge in the regimental sector was at Camposanto, and the mission was to cross there if possible. Further to the west, the 2nd Battalion had a parallel route, aiming to cross near la Palazzina, while bypassing towns and outflanking resistance. The 1st Battalion (minus Company C) would march by foot at 6 AM on April 22, ready to exploit the first crossing. Company C traveled with the march command post in the regimental mobile reserve.

At 5:30 AM, the motorized battalions advanced unopposed, heading northward. By 9 AM, the 3rd Battalion reached the Camposanto Bridge, which remained intact. However, as the 85th Reconnaissance Troop and Company K approached, the enemy attempted to detonate prepared demolition charges. The Germans were repelled by gunfire, and an engineer sergeant disabled the explosives. A fierce battle ensued for control of the bridge. Some men from Company K swam across the river to gain a foothold on the far shore, but the enemy fiercely defended the town and the riverbank. Using anti-aircraft guns, light artillery, and Tiger tanks, the enemy made progress difficult for the riflemen. Despite heavy fire, the 3rd Battalion persisted, but the enemy continued to hold their ground.

In the left sector, the 2nd Battalion advanced with Company F leading the way, mounted on tanks. By 11 AM, the first tank reached the Panaro River, but no crossing was possible in the assigned zone. Arrangements were made to utilize the Bomporto Bridge, which the 10th Mountain Division had captured intact a few hours earlier. The 2nd Battalion continued northward, disregarding exposed flanks, and eliminated small pockets of resistance. Bewildered enemy groups surrendered without firing a shot. Notably, 41 prisoners were taken in the town of Staggia, and in the woods just south of Villafranca, 123 enemy soldiers surrendered after a one-sided fight.

Villafranca is located approximately 8 miles from Verona, circled in red.
Map source: The World Factbook 2021, Washington, DC:
Central Intelligence Agency, 2021, public domain.

In the afternoon, recognizing that capturing the Camposanto Bridge required speed, the Bomporto Bridge was chosen as the route. Loaded onto trucks with three tanks, Companies L and C crossed the Panaro River toward Camposanto. Near Solara, a group of 50 enemy soldiers resisted fiercely, but after a 30-minute battle, they surrendered. Unfortunately, one friendly tank was disabled by bazooka fire during the fight.

Meanwhile, the enemy facing I and K Companies launched a bold counterattack on the left flank, bolstered by 100 troops, tanks, and anti-aircraft guns. At 6 PM, Company K’s fire, along with supporting artillery and mortars, halted this enemy charge. The Germans retreated northward, leaving behind two demolished Tiger tanks and several casualties. With the bridge now secure, the 3rd Battalion (minus Company L) and the 1st Battalion (minus Company C) crossed the Panaro River and assembled just northwest of the town of Camposanto.

In the meantime, the 2nd Battalion received orders to hold Villafranca and dispatch a robust patrol to assess the defenses at Marindola. Company F, accompanied by three tanks, carried out this mission, successfully ambushing an enemy column of nine vehicles. They managed to eliminate all the vehicles and either kill or capture the enemy personnel within the convoy.

At dark, the Division Commander ordered an urgent advance to the Po River. Despite fatigue and supply challenges, the decision was made to continue the advance throughout the night using trucks. The 2nd Battalion promptly set off north at 10:30 PM, while the 3rd Battalion’s motorized trucks arrived later, delaying their departure until midnight. This strategic decision paid off significantly—the enemy, now in disarray, retreated toward the Po River, caught off guard by these simultaneous thrusts deep into their territory. At dawn on April 23, the enemy began surrendering in groups of 50. Our northward movement slowed as hundreds of prisoners turned themselves over to our forward troops. Thousands more, bypassed during our advance, awaited collection and evacuation by reserve units. The evidence of the enemy’s complete rout was everywhere—intact German installations, including motor pools, hospitals, command posts, ordnance shops, bakeries, heavy artillery pieces, and even horses and wagons.

Three members of HQ, 2nd Battalion, 85th Infantry Regiment,
10th Mountain Division, arrived at the Po River bank for reconnaissance.
They are here to make their crossing here tonight by “Ducks” and a pontoon
bridge, April 23, 1945. Photographer: Graning, 196th Signal Photo Company.
Photo Source: U.S. National Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive.
Public domain.

At 10:45 PM, the leading elements of the 3rd Battalion task force reached the bank of the Po River at Quingentole. By 12:30 AM on April 24, the leading elements of the 2nd Battalion task force also reached the riverbank. To consolidate these gains, the leading battalions received orders to establish a defense line along the south bank of the Po River. The 2nd Battalion would hold the stretch from Quingentole to Brede and the 3rd Battalion would secure the area from Quingentole to Revere, extending south to Chiavica.

Both Brede and Revere required clearing operations before they could be incorporated into the defense system. These efforts involved firefights, resulting in nearly 100 prisoners captured from each town.

At 3:15 AM, the 1st Battalion began their march and received a defense mission: hold a line 1,000 yards west of Poggio Rusco to safeguard the open right flank. The adjacent regiment lagged 10 miles behind our forward elements. The 85th Reconnaissance Troop bridged the gap between the 3rd and 1st Battalions. Throughout the day, the prisoner count steadily rose, with each battalion collecting over 1,000 captives. Evacuation became a priority. We captured dozens of enemy vehicles and their disoriented occupants, often without resistance. Notably, we secured a complete hospital with a staff of 250 technicians in Quistello.

Higher headquarters granted the Regimental Commander the authority to decide whether to cross the Po River at this juncture. With night rapidly approaching, preparations were urgent for a successful crossing. Despite the challenges, the decision was made to catch the enemy off guard before they could organize their river defense. Plans were swiftly laid out for a crossing near Quingentole the following morning. Assault boats were positioned, wire lines established, and reconnaissance conducted. The Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon ventured to the north bank in rubber boats but returned after encountering challenges and observing enemy activity on the far side.

At dark, the enemy, trapped south of the Po, attempted to force a passage of the river near Revere, using tank and mortar support. Company I successfully blocked this threat until it expended itself. During the night, enemy planes also appeared, but their bombing and strafing had negligible results.