The Changing Mission Smoke in Amphibious and Beachhead Operations

The Changing Mission Smoke in Amphibious and Beachhead Operations 

The fighting in Italy proper saw an immediate extension of what had been the normal mission of smoke units. Thus far, in doctrine and experience, large area screens had concealed rear area installations exclusively. At Salerno smoke troops landed on D-day in support of the combat elements.  

The Fifth Army landings in the Gulf of Salerno, just around the Sorrento Peninsula from Naples, represented the first foothold of American troops on the mainland of Europe. Two corps participated in the attack—the British 10 on the left and the U.S. VI on the right. The 36th Infantry Division, forming the assault element of the American corps, drew as its objective the beaches near the town of Paestum.  

Each of the assault battalions, storming ashore early on 9 September 1943, carried about 200 M4 smoke pots. Dropped in the water by 

History of AA and Tactical Smoke Screening in North African and Italian Theaters Between I Jan and 31 Dec 44, pp. 8-y, 11-12. 

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