Volturno River, 13 October 1943

Less than two weeks after the breakout at Salerno, the 5th Foresters were in action again, this time on the Volturno River, the next German defensive line north of Naples.  The initial crossing achieved surprise and seemed succcesful, but as dawn broke the Foresters were attacked by German panzers.  Their own anti-tank guns were still south of the swollen river, but the battalion held out for the day against repeated attacks before finally retiring.  In terms of overall casualties it was the battalion's second worst day of the entire war.  Afterwards they were informed that their part of the attack had been a diversionary action!