Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2003 3:56 am
Hi Enrico,
I have been rechecking my sources on the distance the Germans were from La Spezia.
1) It was one of the conditions of German deployments that none of the new divisions they introduced to Italy in August 1944 should be deployed within 40 kilometers of La Spezia. It was described by the Germans as the "Sperrzone". It appears that none were closer on 8 September.
2) However, you are right that the Germans already had several hundred uniformed personnel in La Spezia. These included U-boat support staff, a naval anti-aircraft unit and various other minor naval support and liaison services and an army transport unit. These were organised into "Kommandos z.b.V" (Special Service Detachments). They were unable to prevent the Italian fleet from sailing but were able to secure some port installations before the arrival of 65th Infantry Division from the north and 305th Infantry Division from the south during the morning. It seems probable that the fighting you reported at 0300 or earlier was the Kommandos z.b.V moving into action.
Cheers,
Sid.
I have been rechecking my sources on the distance the Germans were from La Spezia.
1) It was one of the conditions of German deployments that none of the new divisions they introduced to Italy in August 1944 should be deployed within 40 kilometers of La Spezia. It was described by the Germans as the "Sperrzone". It appears that none were closer on 8 September.
2) However, you are right that the Germans already had several hundred uniformed personnel in La Spezia. These included U-boat support staff, a naval anti-aircraft unit and various other minor naval support and liaison services and an army transport unit. These were organised into "Kommandos z.b.V" (Special Service Detachments). They were unable to prevent the Italian fleet from sailing but were able to secure some port installations before the arrival of 65th Infantry Division from the north and 305th Infantry Division from the south during the morning. It seems probable that the fighting you reported at 0300 or earlier was the Kommandos z.b.V moving into action.
Cheers,
Sid.