History, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division

	From 1 July 1944 to 31 July 1944, inclusive.

CECINA

	On 1 July the Regiment continued the attack toward the town of
Cecina.  It was planned to go around the town and endeavor to cut off
the enemy.  The attack was scheduled for 0400 hours with the 1st and 2nd
Battalion on the attack and the 3rd Battalion in reserve.

	Resistance was at times fanatical with intense small arms, machine
gun and artillery fire.  As the advance continued, plans for the
occupation of Cecina were changed.  The objective was attacked from the
south and the east with tanks and infantry.  Captured P.W.'s stated the
town would be held at all costs.  Vicious fighting continued from house
to house and enemy snipers were very active, inflicting many casualties.
 Cecina was cleared of the enemy by the 2nd Battalion. Many casualties
were inflicted on our troops but the enemy received a severe defeat. 
One hundred enemy dead were picked up and buried by our troops and much
enemy equipment was destroyed or captured.

	The enemy endeavored to counterattack with tanks and infantry but
was broken up by our artillery and mortar fire.  All roads were heavily
mined or booby trapped to endeavor to delay the advance of our troops.

ADVANCE TO THE ARNO RIVER

	The advance continued north of Cecina with spasmodic engagements
of rear guard action.  The town of Cecina Marina was captured on 2 July
and the enemy pulled out of the area between the towns of Cecina and
Collemizzano [Collemezzano].  The troops were worn out from the
strenuous battles and the distance traveled, so the Regiment was slowly
squeezed out of action by the 135th Infantry and was then placed in
Division Reserve.  The Regiment was scheduled for a short rest so moved
to an assembly area of 3 July.  From the 4th to the 6th of July the
troops rested and cleaned equipment.

	During this short rest area, the 3rd Bn, Anti-Tank and Cannon
Companies were inspected by the Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson and
Generals Clark and Ryder, in an impressive review.  The troops and the
Regimental Commander were highly praised by the Secretary of War.

	In the early morning hour of 7 July the Regiment moved to an
assembly area in the vicinity of Casone Nuovo, Italy, and prepared to
relieve the 168th Infantry Regiment.  On the 8th of July the relief of
the 168th Regiment was completed in the vicinity of Riparbella.  The
terrain was very rough and the progress was slow but steady with little
or no opposition except some small arms and mortar fire.

	The 3rd Battalion ran into a fire fight but emerged victorious,
capturing 20 P.W.'s, destroying one truck and killing 20 of the enemy.
Casualties were also suffered by our Battalion.  Colonel William H.
Schildroth, Regimental Commander was presented the Distinguished Service
Cross by the Fifth Army Commander, Lt. General Clark.  Lt. Col. Frank A.
Reagan was also to be presented the D.S.C. but due to the tactical
situation it was impossible to do so.

	A stiffening of enemy resistance along the entire Regimental
front, was noted on 9 July, with the enemy strongly resisting our
advance from well selected strongpoints in houses and ideally suited
terrain.  However the troops did advance slowly toward the town of
Castellina.  Supply and the evacuation of the wounded were most
difficult.  Mule trains were employed due to the extremely rough
terrain.  However, the Regiment was the spearhead of the Division Front
and continued to advance.

	Mt. Vasino was occupied at 2130 hours by the 1st Battalion. After
the hill was captured a decline of resistance was noted.

	At 0500 hours, 10 July 1944, the Regiment advanced in a well
coordinated attack.  Because of the difficult terrain, progress was slow
and little or no opposition was met except sniper and self propelled
artillery fire.  The town of Castellina was occupied by our troops.  Mt.
Maggiore, one of the highest mountains in this sector, was the next
important objective.  From resistance encountered and from P.W.'s
reports, it was evident the enemy was withdrawing, but still the troops
continued to receive small arms, mortar and artillery fire of a rear
guard nature.

	The spearhead of a coordinated Fifth Army attack was the 133rd
Infantry Regiment on 11 July.  However resistance stiffened and numerous
fire fights were encountered.  The 1st Battalion, on the southern slopes
of Hill 529, repulsed a raiding party and numerous enemy were reported
to be on Hill 529.  One raiding party succeeded in infiltrating through
our lines and engaged our troops from the rear. Resistance from the hill
continued throughout the period with the enemy employing reverse slope
tactics and laying mortar fire on our forward positions.  The 3rd
Battalion engaged the enemy in a fire fight on their flank but the 2nd
Battalion advanced encountering no resistance until 1130 hours.  At that
time a fire fight was encountered and considerable enemy were reported
killed.  Again the terrain was so rough and thickly covered with
underbrush that the troops could hardly move at any rate of speed.  At
times almost perpendicular cliffs had to be scaled by the troops.

	At 2220 hours, 12 July, an enemy raiding party attacked the 1st
Battalion from their positions on Hill 529.  Close contact fighting
ensued with the enemy employing hand grenades but the attack was
repulsed and casualties were inflicted on the enemy.  A considerable
number of casualties were also inflicted on our troops.  Mt. Maggiore
was captured by the 1st Battalion and it was noted that the enemy was
again withdrawing.  Our advance was slow due to the number of bridges
and roads destroyed by the enemy.  The Division Commander express his
satisfaction with the Regiment's progress.

	An enemy raiding party of more than 80 men attacked the 2nd
Battalion at 2025 hours.  The enemy employed artillery, mortar, machine
gun and small arms fire.  Four (4) P.W.'s were taken and between 35 and
40 enemy killed by our defensive fire.  The 3rd Battalion attacked Mt.
Alto and made steady progress and with the aid of the 1st Battalion
captured the hill.  Evacuation of the wounded was most difficult due to
the terrain which necessitated long litter trains.

	15 July found the Regiment again out in front of the whole Fifth
Army front.  Many mines and booby traps were encountered, delaying the
rapid advance.  No resistance was met during the night but the 1st and
3rd Battalions did receive come mortar fire from the vicinity of the
town of Lorenzana.  The enemy was displaying increased resistance on the
front and both flanks of the 1st Bn.  At 1715 hours all units were in
contact with the enemy.  The 1st Bn engaged in a fire fight and
surrounded on all sides, but was relieved by the 3rd Bn after casualties
had been inflicted.

	Enemy artillery was very active for the period of 16 July and
considerable machine gun and small arms fire also delayed the advance
somewhat.  But the towns of Tripale, Borgo, Cristina, Piozza and Mardemi
were captured by our troops.

	Resistance in this sector was particularly stiff on the right and
left of the sector with the enemy defending from strong points with
heavy small arms, machine gun, mortar and self propelled artillery fire.
 Extensive use of mines and demolitions continued to hinder our advance.

	Scattered small arms fire and resistance in pockets was
encountered on 17 July.  The troops were advancing rapidly to occupy
high ground dominating the area.  Frequent small counterattacks were
engaged in by the enemy while the balance of their troops were
withdrawing.  The town of Casini was captured by our troops.  Combat
patrols were sent out to the City of Lavaioro.

	A portion of the town of Lavanio was occupied by our troops on 19
July.  Little resistance was encountered but extensive mortar and
artillery fire was employed by the enemy.  At dusk the Regiment was
relieved and moved to a rest area in the vicinity of Lorenzana.  The 2nd
Bn., Anti-Tank and Cannon Companies remained on the line until 20 July
when they were relieved and moved to the rest area.

	Vigorous combat patrolling in the vicinity of Colle Salvetti was
the only opposition met on 21 July.  The enemy was seen to be digging in
north of Arno Canal.

	As in the past, the enemy was continuously using a delaying
action, blowing bridges and making frequent small counterattacks.  The
2nd Battalion repulsed a counterattack on 22 July of some 100 in
strength.

	On 23 and 24 July the Regiment advanced rapidly to the Arno River
taking a few P.W.'s but suffered several casualties from sniper fire and
mines.  The towns of S. Jacopo and Yambra were occupied by our troops
and it was evident that the enemy was well dug in on the other side of
the Arno River.  The 1st Battalion and relieved and moved to a rest and
training area in th vicinity of Rosignano.  One Company, Company "F", of
the 2nd Battalion was sent to Leghorn to guard the city.  The remainder
of the Regiment resumed the advance against heavily mined and booby
trapped areas.  The town of Oratono was captured by the 3rd Battalion. 
The Regiment, less the 1st Battalion then resumed a defensive position
on 27 July.

	The 2nd Battalion and 3rd Battalion and Special Units moved to the
rest and training area in the vicinity of Rosignano.

	The balance of the period was spent in cleaning equipment and
recreation including moving picture shows each night, swimming, ball
games, and other recreational facilities for the enlisted men and
officers.  An enlisted men's club was established with reading rooms,
writing equipment, etc.  A Division Rest Camp was established to handle
a large group of men.  The 1st Battalion was attending this Rest Camp at
the end of the period.


		W. H. SCHILDROTH
		Colonel, Infantry
		Commanding

	OFFICIAL:
	s/Donald L. Nabity
	DONALD L. NABITY
	Captain, Infantry
	Adjutant