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By 9 in the morning, house-to-house combat was reported taking place in Sommocolonia. The outnumbered American soldiers and Communist Partisans, soon reported that they could, at best, only slow down the enemy attacks.   

By 9 in the morning, house-to-house combat was reported taking place in Sommocolonia. The outnumbered American soldiers and Communist Partisans, soon reported that they could, at best, only slow down the enemy attacks.   

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 Partian 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.

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.

On 27 and 28 December, with US 92nd ''Buffalo'' Division falling back or digging in all along the 9-kilometre frontline, around-the-clock bombings and strafing missions from 1,000 US P-47 Thunderbolts, Mustang fighters, Mitchell bombers and British Commonwealth Spitfires, Kittyhawks, finally halting the Axis advance.

On 27 and 28 December, with the US 92nd ''Buffalo'' Division falling back or digging in all along the 9-kilometre frontline, around-the-clock bombings and strafing missions from 1,000 US P-47 Thunderbolts, Mustang fighters, Mitchell bombers and British Commonwealth Spitfires, Kittyhawks, finally halting the Axis advance.

US War Correspondent Sid Feder would report the Allied air power that halted the Axis offensive:

US War Correspondent Sid Feder would report the Allied air power that halted the Axis offensive: