The Italian Campaign lasted nearly two years, from July of 1943 to May 1945. Even though the Italian government surrendered and switched sides in 1943, Germany flooded the country with troops, and fought for every inch of Italy like it was Germany itself. Not only did Italians turn on Germany, but the Nazis faced a true international coalition of troops representing numerous nations including the US, UK, Canada, India, Poland, Greece, Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa, France, and Greece.
With its high mountains, rain-swollen rivers, and mud streets that would stop anything on wheels, even Italy’s geography seemed to favor the Germans. With each successive defensive line breached by the Allies, the Germans had prepared another. Nothing would come easy for the Allies in Italy.