Table of Contents

The Anglo-American Military Alliance; The Allies Prepare; The Axis Defences of Sicily; Invasion; The British Eighth Army's Drive; The US Seventh Army's Drive; The Fall of Mussolini; Confusion; The Race for Messina; The Surrender of Italy and the Surprise That Wasn't; Unrest at Quadrant; Salerno; The Strategic Trap; A Series of Delaying Actions; The Advance is Stopped; The Rapido River Fiasco; Crossing; Anzio; The Attack on Cassino; The Bombing of Monte Cassino; The Germans at Anzio; Spring Offensive; The End of the Gustav Line; Breakthrough; The Fall of Rome; North From Rome; Cracking the Gothic Line; The Centre of the Line; Winter Doldrums; To the Bitter End; Index.

About the Author

Edwin P. Hoyt, a historian and World War II veteran, has written more than one hundred books.

Reviews

"An intriguing analysis, Backwater War is an impressive and welcome contribution to personal reading lists and military history collections."

"This sharp-edged, operationally focused narrative, aimed at a general audience, demonstrates the difficulties the Allies faced during the World War II Italian campaign while arguing strongly that the campaign itself was unnecessary, the result of confused strategic planning." -- Dennis Showalter