A Thousand Dead ETO (id:#61500)

(WASLC's Rally Point! # 4.3 ID: RP14)   [next]   [previous]

Near Menton, France 1940-06-20 (6 others)

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Overview:

Mussolini, having told his Chief of Staff, Marshal Badoglio at the end of May that he needed several thousand dead Italian soldiers so he could sit at the peace table, jumped into the war on 10 June 1940. Italy was ill prepared for a war on any front and Mussolini found it necessary to launch an offensive as soon as possible. The Battle for the Alps was to begin on 20 June, with the Italians launching an Army Group of nearly 30 divisions against seven French divisions, which manned the Little Maginot Line. Along the Mediterranean coast, the Italian 5th Divisione advanced westward along the coastal road from Ventimigila to Monaco. Just across the border stood the first fortification of the Little Maginot Line, the avante-poste of Pont St-Louis. Armed with a pair of turrets and manned by 70 men of the French Alpine Fortress Demi-Brigade, this outpost guarded the bridge and impeded the Italians’ advance towards Menton. The task of clearing the small outpost was given to the 90° Reggimento Fanteria.

Defender: French (58eme Demi-Brigade de Fortress Alpin)  

Errata (source)