Documentary compilation explains the strategy behind the advance of Allied forces from Calabria to Rome and shows the major events of the campaign.

Entry into Rome on June 4 by US and British elements of Allied Fifth Army (Americans pass Colosseum, Forum, Victor Emmanuel Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Scots band playing) is welcomed by cheering Italians. Liberation of capital forms part of coordinated campaign against Germany conceived by Combined Chiefs of Staff in Washington (flashback): aims are to control Mediterranean, exploit Mussolini's overthrow to knock Italy out of the war, capture Foggia airfield and force Germany to withdraw forces from the Western and Eastern Fronts (animation, Mussolini inspecting forces, Ju 87s at Foggia, German supply train with tanks). Eighth Army under Montgomery makes virtually unopposed landing on toe of Italy on September 3. Five days later Italy capitulates and part of Italian fleet (cruisers and submarines) sails for Malta. American Fifth Army, which includes a British Corps, lands at Salerno and comes under fire from Germans overlooking coast. Despite heavy losses bridgehead is secured and US and British forces from Fifth and Eighth Armies link up on September 16, while Generals Mark Clark and Montgomery shake hands. Animated map shows how capture of Foggia airfield brings German targets into bombing range. On October 1 Fifth Army enters Naples; German destruction to port installations is reportedly quickly repaired. Refugees trudge along road to return to homes; many in ruins. Campaign becomes battle of rivers and mountains when the autumn rains turn Volturno into a torrential flood, sweeping away bridges and turning terrain into deep mud. A British soldier looks out of his tent and curses the rain before withdrawing his head. Soldiers in snow camouflage patrol in the mountains. Topographical map shows how the Germans exploit their command of mountain heights. Meanwhile on the east coast Canadians take Ortona after heavy street fighting and German counterattacks (German film). (End of Reel 1) General Eisenhower emerges from a tent marked War Room with Clark after the crossing of the Volturno. Animation shows Cassino's key position in the Gustav Line and plan to force Rapido River. Fighting at Hangman's Hill, where New Zealand troops move through the ruins and a medical orderly rescues a wounded soldier. In order to break stalemate of Gustav Line, Allies land at Anzio-Nettuno but come under heavy counterattack from Rommel and Kesselring (German film); Luftwaffe bombs shipping off beachhead and armour reinforcements are brought up. Navy bombards enemy and Kittyhawks peel away to bomb inland targets. Film of wounded and hospital ship and German film of prisoners suggest the heavy price paid to hold the Anzio beachhead. Back at Cassino there is "no alternative but to bomb the Abbey in order to save soldiers' lives". Pamphlet to "Italian friends" justifies aerial bombardment of the Abbey reportedly occupied by Germans. Mitchells release bombs on the town. Second phase of campaign now begins with all-out assault by combined forces, including Poles and French Expeditionary Force. Plan to bomb German lines of communication is illustrated by animation of North Italy road and rail lines. Commander of Allied Forces Alexander starts assault on May 11 with artillery barrage and massive air and naval bombardment. Spitfires peel away to strafe German road transport while US Fifth Army drives north, French Corps crosses "difficult country with amazing speed" and British, Indian and Canadian troops move up Liri valley. Gustav Line is shattered; exhausted and bedraggled German prisoners are taken at Cassino, captured by the Poles on May 18. One week later Fifth and Eighth Armies link up at Borgo Grappa. Trucks and armour now speed towards Rome past signposts and milestones; aerial film shows a large convoy. Italian anti-Fascist clandestine film taken from concealed position and high angle records the departure of German artillery and troops from Rome; crowds in the Piazza Navona celebrate their liberation with cheers and by pulling down anti-US posters ("Young Roman mother assassinated by American gangsters" - bombing). Osservatore Romano, Riconstruzione and Il Messagero report liberation. Pope Pius IX blesses crowds including troops in Saint Peter's Square "and a free Rome prays".

Notes

Documentation/associated material: COI file - script, plus some production and re-editing details

Production: credits read "Produced by US Army Pictorial Service in collaboration with British Service Film Units".