a WIldcat not beached whale, could Anzio have worked

Could the Anzio landings have worked, Rome falling in the Spring of 44?

What would be the consequences? Could German forces have had to surrender?
 
Rome was not important - trapping 10th Army was important

The plan relied on swiftness and decisive use of the element of surprise - Sadly Lucas did neither and dithered instead and Mark Clark was too busy posing for the attached photographers in order to record his image for prosperity to do any prodding

Several things might have enabled it to work as intended

Different Commander - a real pusher - not sure who? One who understands the purpose of the Anzio Landings.

Greater use of mobile recon units (1 jeep unit made it as far as the outskirts of Rome on the same day as the landing!)

Greater use of the Italian Resistance - they offered to provide local guides etc (which was declined OTL) - for example this might have allowed the Landing force to rapidly advance into the Alban Hills on the first day as well as seize other locations like Sezze, Valentri and Genzone - all are pretty much within 10 miles of the LZ and stake out a greater area for which the follow on forces to fill before the German plan (Richard?) could do the same.

Use of Maskarovka - say dummy landings, misinformation or large commando raids on other sites - say north of Rome and for example Terracino to the south (threatening the coastal road) and maybe similiar ops on the Adriatic coast - to confuse the German commanders as to the real intentions of the fighting and dilute any response.
 
Rome was not important - trapping 10th Army was important

The plan relied on swiftness and decisive use of the element of surprise - (snipped)

Several things might have enabled it to work as intended

Different Commander - a real pusher - not sure who? One who understands the purpose of the Anzio Landings.

Greater use of mobile recon units (1 jeep unit made it as far as the outskirts of Rome on the same day as the landing!)

Greater use of the Italian Resistance - (snipped)

Use of Maskarovka - (snipped) .

So your describing LtGen Patton.... (only 3-star that meets the above at the time, even with the negatives he brings at this point in time...)
 
Getting Patton involved just one night of ego stroking and him believing he was once a Carthiginian general that night
 
So your describing LtGen Patton.... (only 3-star that meets the above at the time, even with the negatives he brings at this point in time...)

I'd try Terry Allen. With Bradley working on D-Day, his biggest detractor is out of the way. And you won't find a better two Star for fighting.
 
So your describing LtGen Patton.... (only 3-star that meets the above at the time, even with the negatives he brings at this point in time...)

Yep Patton would do nicely - probably the perfect choice actually - he was technically available as he was sidelined 'post slapping incident' and given that this op is taking place in January and if successful very likely to be over well before June 44 allowing him to take up other duties such as OC 1st US Army Group (as part of Op Fortitude).
 
I'd try Terry Allen. With Bradley working on D-Day, his biggest detractor is out of the way. And you won't find a better two Star for fighting.

Yeah its interesting that Patton didn't get on with Allen but insisted on him and the Big red One for the tough jobs

Maybe Allen as Pattons COS / assistant prodder?
 
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