| American infantry relax in a drainage ditch that runs parallel to the Anzio-Cisterna Highway 7. Cisterna is located approximately 14 miles northeast of Anzio and was a transportation hub that controlled the German lines of communication between Rome and the Gustav Line to the south. The major roadway, Highway 7, bisected Cisterna and ran from Velletri in the north southeast along the Italian coast. The main rail line between Rome and Naples ran immediately outside Cisterna’s southern outskirts. Additionally, surfaced roads from Cisterna gave access to the overlooking heights of the Albanese Mountains and the nearby city of Cori. The seizure of Cisterna would sever the German lines of communication on Italy’s western coast. 2 battalions of the 6615th Rangers had already been captured or destroyed in an abortive attack on January 30; Cisterna would remain in Axis hands for 4 months. But once it fell in May, it would open the road to Rome, which was liberated by Allied forces on June 4, 1944. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1816.jpg |
| Image Size | 391.74 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1029 x 1300 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | February 15, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | Cisterna |
| State or Province | Lazio |
| Country | Italy |
| Archive | |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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