December 1943 The Clash Of Elite Forces

The Battle of Ortona: A Bloody Stand in the Italian Winter

December 1943: The Clash of Elite Forces

In the bitter cold of December 1943, a fierce battle raged in the Italian town of Ortona. Two battalions of elite German Fallschirmjäger from the 1st Parachute Division clashed with determined Canadian forces, in a month-long campaign that tested the limits of both sides.

The Moro River and Street-to-Street Fighting

The fighting initially erupted at the Moro River, outside Ortona. After crossing the icy river, the Canadians faced fierce resistance from the Fallschirmjäger. The fighting then spilled into the town itself, where every street and building became a battleground.

A Costly Victory

The month-long campaign resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. The Canadians lost more than 2300 men, while the Fallschirmjäger suffered similar losses. The stubborn defense of Ortona by General-leutnant Richard Heidrich's paratroopers earned the battle its reputation as one of the toughest challenges faced by Canadian forces in the Italian Campaign.