Battle of San Pietro Infine

Battle of San Pietro Infine
Part of the Winter Line and the battle for Rome of the Italian Campaign, World War II
The Liri valley with Mt. Sambúcaro overlooking the modern town of San Pietro Infine (left) and ruins of the original town (center).
Date 8–17 December 1943 Location San Pietro Infine, Italy Result Allied victory
Belligerents
United States Italy	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Geoffrey Keyes Fred L. Walker Vincenzo Dapino	F. v. Senger u. Etterlin Walter Fries Wilhelm Raapke
Units involved
II Corps 36th Infantry Div. I Motorized Group.	XIV Panzer Corps 29th Tank-Grenadier Div. 71st Infantry Div.
Casualties and losses
1,200 casualties (400 killed or missing, 800 wounded)[1]	Unknown

The Battle of San Pietro Infine (commonly referred to as the "Battle of San Pietro") was a major engagement from 8–17 December 1943, in the Italian Campaign of World War II involving Allied forces attacking from the south against heavily fortified positions of the German "Winter Line" in and around the town of San Pietro Infine, just south of Monte Cassino about halfway between Naples and Rome.

The eventual Allied victory in the battle was crucial in the ultimate drive to the north to liberate Rome. The battle is also remembered as the first in which the troops of the Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) fought as co-belligerents of the Allies following the armistice with Italy. The original town of San Pietro Infine was destroyed in the battle; the modern, rebuilt town of the same name is located a few hundred meters away41°26′40″N 13°57′31″E / 41.44444°N 13.95861°E / 41.44444; 13.95861.