US Rangers memorial in Maiori, Italy
When on vacation at the Amalfi coast and Salerno-Napels region this summer, I visited some interesting WWII sites that I would like to share with you. I’m starting with the smallest one first: a monument to the contribution of the US Rangers during operation Avalanche – better known as the Salerno landings, executed on 9 September 1943 as part of the Allied invasion of Italy. The Italians withdrew from the war the day before the invasion, but the Allies landed in an area defended by German troops.
Things went South quickly that day when the 5th Army landed on a very broad 35-mile front, with the attacking Corps spread far apart and with a terrain highly favorable to the defender. A Ranger force under Colonel William O. Darby consisting of three US Ranger battalions and two British Commando units was tasked with holding the mountain passes leading to Naples, but no plan existed for linking the Ranger force up with X Corps’ follow-up units. Finally, although tactical surprise was unlikely, Clark ordered no naval preparatory bombardment take place, despite experience in the Pacific Theatre demonstrating it was absolutely necessary. The Rangers landed at Maiori and the Italian WWII monument on the seaside boulevard bears a plaque to their memory. Other than that, there’s nothing left to remind us of the presence of Americans in WWII.
Tage Byrnak pointed out to me in May 2024 that there is a small photo museum hidden in a room in the church S. Domenico in Maiori at the street via Roma, showing the American troops from the assault, and how their wounded were taken care of in the church of the abbey.
There are about 50 good and interesting photos that you can see there.
today is the 80th Anniversary. May they be remembered with honour
There is a small photomuseum hidden in a room in the church S. Domenico in Maiori at the street via Roma showing the American trops from the assault and how they were taken care of their wounded in the church. Aprox 50 good and interesting photos.
I visit the place May 2024.
Hello Tage, thank you for sharing that. It’s very interesting, and I hope I can go back there sometime to see it.
No. It’s a memorial Italian troops. Names many and the helmet and uniform is Italian.
Hello Pierre, you are certainly right. I think that readers will understand that the bronze statue is not a US Ranger, and that I refer to the plaque that’s attached to the base of the monument.
My family and I visited this church in Maiori in September 2024. The church attendent welcomed us in and was very pleased that we were American. He preceded to close the doors and showed us the hidden room! There we saw writings on the walls in Italian and skulls and bones of the US Rangers, who fought to save the Italians from the German invasion. It truly was humbling of Andre to show us so much kindness towards Americans for fighting for his people during WWll.
Hello Valerie, thanks for sharing this. It would be great if you could also send some photos to add here.