Smoke in Normal Forward Area Operations

In the struggle for Italy it seemed that the dice were always loaded in favor of the defense. As a rule the German defenders controlled the high ground which typified the Italian terrain and thereby kept the Allies under excellent observation. Such a situation called for a considerable amount of smoke. 

These two examples demonstrated the need that existed for concealment in the forward areas in Italy and the immediate steps taken to adapt the smoke pot to the large area mission. These initial attempts, while generally successful, called attention to the possibilities of the use of the mechanical generator in similar situations—possibilities which were soon to be realized. 

On 9 March the 88 th Infantry Division relieved a British unit on Fifth Army s extreme left. The sector included the area southeast of the town of Minturno where Highway No. 7 crossed the Garigliano not far from where the river emptied into the Tyrrhenian Sea. About 

Carrying Smoke Pots Into Position in the Rapido River Area 

River Crossings. Infantry Journal, LVIII, No. i (January, 1946). 57-41 (5) Interv, Hist Off with 

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