Salerno

Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, U.S. Army, Commanding General, Fifth Army, on board USS Ancon.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, Photo #: 80-G-87335, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Quick Facts

Location:

World War Memorial

Following their successful campaign against Axis forces in Sicily during July and August 1943, the Allies turned their focus to mainland Italy. The Americans targeted Salerno, where the US Fifth Army, led by General Mark Clark, executed a successful amphibious landing on September 9, 1943. 

The Fifth Army’s key objectives were to capture the port of Naples—ensuring a steady supply line—and to push eastward, cutting off Axis forces in the south. After nine days of intense fighting, the Allies secured the Salerno beachhead. Meanwhile, British forces landing in southern Italy began driving north, while the Americans advanced from Salerno, forcing the Germans into a gradual retreat up the peninsula. 

Around the same time, Italy formally surrendered to the Allies, officially exiting the war. Despite this, the Allies encountered fierce resistance throughout the remainder of the Italian Campaign.