Changes

Orders to retreat were transmitted from US headquarters in Barga, but by that time, two thirds of the American and Communist defenders were killed or wounded. With the American and Partisan wounded dragged inside, the Austrians started burning houses in Sommocolonia.

Orders to retreat were transmitted from US headquarters in Barga, but by that time, two thirds of the American and Communist defenders were killed or wounded. With the American and Partisan wounded dragged inside, the Austrians started burning houses in Sommocolonia.

The US field artillery at Barga provided fire support for the Somocolonia defenders, with Lieutenant Fox radioing the co-ordinates. With Axis infantry reinforcing the attack, several men at Barga heard Fox’s last call for smokescreen to cover the escape of the surviving American soldiers and Communist Partisans. Heavy artillery fire then rained down on Fox's position. The US artillery commander hesitated at first in firing directly on his position, but Lieutenant Fox had his way and was killed soon after. Of the Somocolonia defenders, only 18 Americans made it back to the lines of the US 5th Army.

The US field artillery at Barga provided fire support for the Somocolonia defenders, with Lieutenant Fox radioing the co-ordinates. With Axis infantry reinforcing the attack, several men at Barga heard Fox's last call for smokescreen to cover the escape of the surviving American soldiers and Communist Partisans. Heavy artillery fire then rained down on Fox's position. The US artillery commander hesitated at first in firing directly on his position, but Lieutenant Fox had his way and was killed soon after. Of the Somocolonia defenders, only 18 Americans made it back to the lines of the US 5th Army.

In the fighting on 26 December, Austrian mountain troops also captured Fornaci from the Americans, and the Italians captured the village of Molazzano but failed to take Brucciano.   

In the fighting on 26 December, Austrian mountain troops also captured Fornaci from the Americans, and the Italians captured the village of Molazzano but failed to take Brucciano.   

On the night of 26/27 December, the surviving civilians from Sommocolonia were rounded up by the Austrians and suspected Communist Partisans and sympathizers detained. The local Italian priest later told of seeing Lieutenant Fox’s body in the rubble, along with the bodies of about 100 Austrian soldiers. About 50 American soldiers and 30 Communist Partisans were killed in the defence of Sommocolonia.

On the night of 26/27 December, the surviving civilians from Sommocolonia were rounded up by the Austrians and suspected Communist Partisans and sympathizers detained. The local Italian priest later told of seeing Lieutenant Fox's body in the rubble, along with the bodies of about 100 Austrian soldiers. About 50 American soldiers and 30 Communist Partisans were killed in the defence of Sommocolonia.

On 27 December, Austrian troops renewed their advance and captured Pian di Coreglia, while Italian troops captured the village of Calavorno.

On 27 December, Austrian troops renewed their advance and captured Pian di Coreglia, while Italian troops captured the village of Calavorno.

In February 1945, the 92nd Infantry Division again came up against ''RSI'' units. This time Bersaglieri battalions from the ''Italia'' Division. The Italians successfully halted the American advance. The Americans admit losing 22 tanks from the 758th Tank Battalion and suffering more than 1,100 killed, wounded or captured (including 56 officers) in the fighting for Mount Della Stella and Cinquale Canal.

In February 1945, the 92nd Infantry Division again came up against ''RSI'' units. This time Bersaglieri battalions from the ''Italia'' Division. The Italians successfully halted the American advance. The Americans admit losing 22 tanks from the 758th Tank Battalion and suffering more than 1,100 killed, wounded or captured (including 56 officers) in the fighting for Mount Della Stella and Cinquale Canal.

After the war, Sommocolonia’s residents built a peace memorial to honour Lieutenant John R Fox and all the civilians and Allied and Axis soldiers that died in the battle. The villagers even named one of the streets in Sommocolonia after the ''Buffalo'' Division of which Fox was a member.

After the war, Sommocolonia's residents built a peace memorial to honour Lieutenant John R Fox and all the civilians and Allied and Axis soldiers that died in the battle. The villagers even named one of the streets in Sommocolonia after the ''Buffalo'' Division of which Fox was a member.

n 1997, Lieutenant Fox was posthumously awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions on 26 December 1944, that helped stop the Axis drive from spilling into Livorno.

n 1997, Lieutenant Fox was posthumously awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions on 26 December 1944, that helped stop the Axis drive from spilling into Livorno.