Advance to the Tiber

The Second World War

Date

22 May to 4 June 1944

Geographical parameters

(no geographical parameters defined)

Context

An action forming part of the “Rome” battle honour ^{Footnote 1}

Description

The 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion was the Canadian component of a joint Canadian-American organization called the First Special Service Force. Organized on American lines and using American equipment, the Force, as it was known, comprised three regiments each of two battalions plus a Service Battalion. Canadians commanded five of the six battalions and made up roughly one third of the unit’s strength. After six weeks of arduous service in the Italian mountains, the Force was deployed into the Anzio Bridgehead, southwest of Rome. On 23 May the Force led an advance out of the bridgehead toward the northeast. On 1 June elements of the Force linked up with Algerian troops of the Corps expéditionnaire français thus completing the breakout from Anzio. On 3 June, along with a composite armoured task force, the Force led the American advance on Rome, being the first Allied troops to enter the city.

Awarded to:

Currently Serving Units

• The Canadian Special Operations Regiment ^{Footnote 2}