James Dietz's depiction of Darby's Rangers at the Battle of Cisterna.
"Though I Be The Lone Survivor"
"Though I Be The Lone Survivor"
22 January, 1944, 1st, 3rd, and 4th Ranger Battalions spearhead the Anzio
landing in Operation Shingle. This was one of the most effective and least
costly of all Allied amphibious landings, but the least exploited. It was ten
days after the landing before General Lucas ordered his forces to advance
on Rome. The mission of Task Force Ranger was to use their special
training for a night infiltration behind German lines to set up two major
blocking positions. This would relieve the pressure on the beachhead and
possibly start the 30-mile drive on to Rome.
0100, on 30 January, 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions moved out into the night
hoping to reach the town of Cisterna and its vital road junction. The terrain
between the departure point and Cisterna was flat farmland with little or no
cover. Stealthily moving toward the objective, 1st and 3rd Battalions
continued to avoid detection. Though they passed close by German
positions and enemy patrols crossed in front and on both sides, the Ranger
presence seemed to go unnoticed as daylight approached. Moving in the file
formation, as they had used several tines successfully before, is one of the
more risky behaviors of the Ranger advance. As night gave way, the
Rangers could see the town of Cisterna, only five hundred yards away. The
two battalions surged forward as one trying to enter the town, and find cover
before the sun and the Germans found them.
As night ended so did the elements of Task Force Ranger. The single enemy
machine gun that once blocked 4th Ranger Division soon became a dozen.
The Germans quickly counterattacked stopping them dead in their tracks,
even cutting them off as Colonel Darby urged them forward towards their
brother Rangers. No Rangers, Infantry of Sherman tanks would force their
way up that road that day or in 100 days. 4th Ranger Battalion bled
themselves white for eight hours trying to reach 1st and 3rd Ranger
Battalions, but they were left on their own. As the Rangers sprinted forward
with Garands, BARs and Thompson machine guns in their hands, covering
the last two hundred yards; the end of a long journey seemed near and so it
was.
Somewhere along the last mile the Germans detected the Ranger infiltration.
The unit that got to the town first was not the Ranger, but elements of the 4th
Fallschirmjaeger Regiment, the elite of the German Paratroopers. A sheet of
flame and steel ripped into the Rangers in mid stride causing them to
collapse in a nearby farmer's open field. Going into semi-circular defensive
position, which measured 300 yards by 100 yards, the Rangers returned fire.
As the Rangers, lying in the open field, devoid of cover, fired, the German
Paratroopers closed in on them with heavier and heavier weapons systems.
The Rangers fought bravely through that night and into the day, but without
heavy organic weapons, the battle was lost as soon as they were caught in
the open. In just under eight hours, the battle was over. No more shooting
was heard just the moaning of the the dead and dying, and the shuffling of
the captured. Only six men returned to report to Colonel Darby; only six out
of the 767 that began the missions.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
landing in Operation Shingle. This was one of the most effective and least
costly of all Allied amphibious landings, but the least exploited. It was ten
days after the landing before General Lucas ordered his forces to advance
on Rome. The mission of Task Force Ranger was to use their special
training for a night infiltration behind German lines to set up two major
blocking positions. This would relieve the pressure on the beachhead and
possibly start the 30-mile drive on to Rome.
0100, on 30 January, 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions moved out into the night
hoping to reach the town of Cisterna and its vital road junction. The terrain
between the departure point and Cisterna was flat farmland with little or no
cover. Stealthily moving toward the objective, 1st and 3rd Battalions
continued to avoid detection. Though they passed close by German
positions and enemy patrols crossed in front and on both sides, the Ranger
presence seemed to go unnoticed as daylight approached. Moving in the file
formation, as they had used several tines successfully before, is one of the
more risky behaviors of the Ranger advance. As night gave way, the
Rangers could see the town of Cisterna, only five hundred yards away. The
two battalions surged forward as one trying to enter the town, and find cover
before the sun and the Germans found them.
As night ended so did the elements of Task Force Ranger. The single enemy
machine gun that once blocked 4th Ranger Division soon became a dozen.
The Germans quickly counterattacked stopping them dead in their tracks,
even cutting them off as Colonel Darby urged them forward towards their
brother Rangers. No Rangers, Infantry of Sherman tanks would force their
way up that road that day or in 100 days. 4th Ranger Battalion bled
themselves white for eight hours trying to reach 1st and 3rd Ranger
Battalions, but they were left on their own. As the Rangers sprinted forward
with Garands, BARs and Thompson machine guns in their hands, covering
the last two hundred yards; the end of a long journey seemed near and so it
was.
Somewhere along the last mile the Germans detected the Ranger infiltration.
The unit that got to the town first was not the Ranger, but elements of the 4th
Fallschirmjaeger Regiment, the elite of the German Paratroopers. A sheet of
flame and steel ripped into the Rangers in mid stride causing them to
collapse in a nearby farmer's open field. Going into semi-circular defensive
position, which measured 300 yards by 100 yards, the Rangers returned fire.
As the Rangers, lying in the open field, devoid of cover, fired, the German
Paratroopers closed in on them with heavier and heavier weapons systems.
The Rangers fought bravely through that night and into the day, but without
heavy organic weapons, the battle was lost as soon as they were caught in
the open. In just under eight hours, the battle was over. No more shooting
was heard just the moaning of the the dead and dying, and the shuffling of
the captured. Only six men returned to report to Colonel Darby; only six out
of the 767 that began the missions.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques, Inc.
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints mainly
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
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All sales are subject to availability.
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