The American attempt to break out of the Anzio beachhead in Italy was halted, followed by the first German counterattack against the beachhead. Frustrated with Lucas' performance, Clark replaced him with Truscott on February 22. Americans stopped a German counter attack at Anzio, Italy. German losses were around 5,000 killed, 30,500 wounded/missing, and 4,500 captured. While the attack towards Valmontone would continue, it would be much weakened. C. Peter Chen of Lava Development, LLC. The next day, Colonel General Eberhard von Mackensen was given command of the German defenses. Out at sea, an Italian motor torpedo boat attack sank one cargo ship; one Italian boat was sunk in the attack. Germans defeated American troops in the Battle of Cisterna near Anzio, Italy. At the end of the day, Mark Clark ordered Lucian Truscott to turn north toward Rome without informing Harold Alexander. An expeditionary force commanded by U.S. Major General John P. Lucas secured a beachhead near Anzio and Nettuno on Italys west coast, but his divisions were quickly contained by German Field Marshall Albert Kesselring. As a result, Clark instructed Truscott to be ready to execute both operations. By June 2, the German line collapsed and Kesselring was ordered to retreat north of Rome. The Germans had to split the 45th Infantry Division in two. In the mean time, the Germans reinforced the lines at Anzio with two Italian divisions fighting under the SS banner; on the other side, the Allies brought in US 34th Infantry Division and later US 36th Infantry Division and replaced British 5th Infantry Division with British 56th Infantry Division. The first, Operation Buffalo, called for an attack to cut Route 6 at Valmontone to aid in trapping the German Tenth Army, while the other, Operation Turtle, was for an advance through Campoleone and Albano towards Rome. battle of anzio photographs Il VI corpo d’armata, agli ordini del generale Lucas , era sbarcato sulla costa di Anzio alle ore due antimeridiane del giorno 22 gennaio del 1944 mentre la 3′ divisione americana e la 1′ divisione britannica avevano preso terra rispettivamente a sud e a nord della cittadina. Facing a superior enemy force, Lucas' caution was justified to a degree, however most agree that he should have attempted drive further inland. Though surprised by the Allies' actions, Kesselring had made contingency plans for landings at several locations. By midnight, history books say that “36,000 men landed, securing a beachhead 2-3 miles deep.” and useful information about WW2. Encountering the Caesar C Line, VI Corps, now aided by II Corps, was able to exploit a gap in the German defenses. Though the campaign ultimately proved successful, Operation Shingle has been criticized for being poorly planned and executed. Also, Clark's change of plan during Operation Diadem allowed large parts of the German Tenth Army to escape, allowing it to continue fighting through the rest of the year. By the following day, the Allied front lines were beginning to falter near Campoleone, with several units becoming surrounded by German troops. Through 24 Jan, Kesselring had gathered over 40,000 men in the area. Two Italian motor torpedo boats attacked the Allied beachhead at Anzio, Italy before dawn, causing no damage and losing one boat. The Germans called off Operation Fischfang aimed at the Allied beachhead at Anzio, Italy. Elsewhere, the British gained ground up the Via Anziate but failed to take the town. Operation Shingle; Part of the Winter Line and the battle for Rome of the Italian Campaign of World War II: