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When Army Chief of Staff learned that the Allies were planning an invasion at Anzio he stepped in and over-road General Clarks choice of invasion Commander> Selected by him was a general that he had faith in Major General Alexander Patch. Marshal had already heard much rumblings from divisional commanders in Italy about General Clark and he was unsure if he was suited to lead the forces.. General Patch, newly promoted to Lt General landed at the invasion site and pressed forward. He deided to take a big gamble that if he could apply enough pressure the Germans would panic and pull back. A Special Forces Brigade of American and Canadian troops entered Rome. Patch appealed for additional forces to ensure that the collapse of the German defensive line was achieved.
Kesselring was informed by the German field commander that the allies had landed 2 corps at Anzio and that an Allied division had entered Rome. that being the case he ordered a new defensive line to be formed North of Rome and for German forces to pull back before they could be encircled. General Marshal was pleased with the results and had already selected General Patch to command the Allied invasion in the South of France. Both Washington and London were pleased with the news.
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