45 US Infantry Division at Salerno September 1943

[Tom from Cornwall]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend books that cover in detail the operations of 45 US Infantry Division at Salerno in September 1943.

I've got the US Official History and am aware that 45th Division had a somewhat fragmented introduction into the battle but hope that there is a good divisional history that covers this period.

I've toyed with buying Flint Whitlock's The Rock of Anzio but not sure whether it is overwhelmingly focused on Anzio to the detriment of Salerno. Can anyone give me an idea on that?

Any regiment/battalion level US histories that cover Salerno?

Regards

Tom

[Pips]

I have that book Tom. It's very good.

It provides detailed descriptions of the 45th landing at Salerno (Chapter 3) and the breakout and trudge up the boot of Italy (Chapter 4). It's not until Chapter 5 that it covers the 45th fighting at Anzio.

Well worth buying.

[Tom from Cornwall]

I have that book Tom. It's very good.

That's great, thank you. I will look to buy it.

Regards

Tom

[Tom from Cornwall]

I have that book Tom. It's very good.

Pips,

Thanks for the recommendation. I managed to pick up a second hand copy and have to agree. It’s a very good divisional history and just what I was looking for.

I’m currently reading the Anzio section which is very detailed and a great companion to the British accounts which I have. Some great personal accounts.

Regards

Tom

[Pips]

[Ivan1987]

The Liberator by Alex Kershaw is focused on 45th Division's battles, so it should serve you pretty well. I haven't read it, but there is so much praise on that book.

[McDonald]

Tom: If I wanted to know anything about the 45th Infantry Division I would contact the 45th Infantry Division Museum, in Oklahoma City, OK. They have a web site, and the museum itself is one of the best I have ever seen in my life.

The 45th was in my view hand down the best National Guard Infantry Division in World War II, and its only close rival was the 30th "Old Hickory" from North Carolina and Tennessee. There were others that performed well, but these two were the absolute best. The 45th also had some colorful characters in it's ranks, Robert T. Frederick, and William O. Darby to name just two.