Battle of Ortona (21h 20min, dec 20, 1943 y – 1h 20min, dec 28, 1943 y)
Description:
As the allies advanced up through Italy, they hit a little road block at Ortona where the German troops had set up camp awaiting the allies arrival. This battle was particularly difficult since it was a type of battle that none of the Canadian troops had training for, a street battle. Moving through the city was particularly hard since the enemy forces had laid mines down along with purposely destroying buildings to create cover. It is said to be one of the hardest fought battles in the entire war by Canada. The streets were so dangerous it was considered suicide to travel by them, instead the Canadians developed a tactic that had been tough to the British but not the called "mouse holing". This included blowing out a connecting wall of two building then tossing a grenade in and finishing off any enemy soldiers that survived. Useing this tactic thoughout the whole battle to move through the whole city. Although tough and deadly, the canadian soldiers were victorious once again proving their utility.
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