Watch: WWII - The Battle Of Anzio

Situated on the coast some 30 miles south of Rome lies the small city of Anzio. Once home to the seaside villas of Roman emperors, including the diabolical Nero, it's now more infamous for the role in played in the Second World War.

In the winter of 1944 Allied Forces conducted an amphibious landing as they attempted to push German forces out of Italy.

With the element of complete surprise in its favour the initial attack was conducted with great success and a jeep patrol made a dash for Rome, reaching the Eternal City's outskirts before having to turn back.

But instead of moving the tens of thousands of men rapidly off the beaches and beginning an advance the U.S Army Major General commanding the operation chose instead to dig in.

Momentum lost, they were quickly surrounded by German forces and so began the brutal 136 day Battle of Anzio.

The Allies eventually won but not before 7000 men were killed and a further 36,000 were left wounded or missing. The Germans suffered similar casualties, wrought from weeks of endless shelling, attacks and counterattacks. 

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