Operation Winter Storm (Gothic Line)

Operation Wintergewitter (Winter Storm) was an offensive conducted by Italian RSI and Austrian forces against American forces dug in on the west side of the Gothic Line. Often referred to as the Battle of Garfagnana or Offensiva di Natale ("Christmas" Offensive), the attack resulted in an Axis tactical victory against the Allies. The battle lasted from 26 December 1944 to 4 February 1945.

On 13 December, as part of the planned Axis offensive, an experienced Italan platoon penetrated through the US platoons guarding Vergemoli and Gallicano in an unsuccessful attempt to blow up the concrete bridge at Farnaci and cut off the American retreat and reinforcements.

Operation Wintergewitter

From 26-31 December, as part of Marshal Rodolfo Graziani's Operation Winter Storm (planned in conjuction with Benito Mussolini), the Monte Rosa (Alpine) and San Marco (Marine) Divisions under General Mario Carloni, with supporting Austrian Gebirgsjäger (mountain) units attacked and overran the forward battalions of the US 92nd Buffalo Infantry Division (under General Edward Almond) entrenched along the Serchio Valley, with the Italians forming and commanding two of the three Axis Spearheads involved.

The Axis force advanced in three columns on the night of 25 December. The first column moved toward Vergemoli-Calomini, the second toward Treppignana-Castelvecchio, with the third advancing toward Sommocolonia-Barga. The soldiers from the 2nd Battalion (US 366th Regiment) at Sommocolonia were hit first, with several forward platoon positions overrun and Bebbio and Scarpello captured. The American battalion had no option but to withdraw toward Coreglia.

In the early hours of 26 December, a company of American soldiers from the 92nd US Infantry Division and Italian Communist Partisans in Sommocolonia (a village of 200 inhabitants) found themselves pinned down by heavy softening up fire from Axis mortars fire.  29-year-old Lieutenant John R Fox, an artillery officer, reported the streets of Sommocolonia filled with soldiers from the Austrian 4th Gebirgsjäger (Mountain) Battalion. The elite Austrian soldiers expected little resistance as many Black American troops had been reported in the area. However, much fierce resistance was encountered in Sommocolonia.