The Battle of Cisterna was a key engagement in the Italian Campaign, which formed part of Operation Shingle, designed to outflank German defenses along the Gustav Line. Launched on January 30, 1944, the American Fifth Army was tasked with capturing the town of Cisterna and opening a path toward the crucial road junctions in the area. Units involved included the 1st and 3rd Infantry Divisions, while the Germans were well-prepared and had established a formidable defensive line, strengthened by strategic positioning and fortifications. Communication lines for American forces were stretched thin, which exacerbated the difficulties faced during the battle.The battle quickly turned into a fierce and bloody struggle. The Americans encountered heavy artillery fire and strong counterattacks, causing significant adverse effects on their morale and operational capabilities. Despite the initial objectives, American forces were unable to secure Cisterna. After brutal fighting, including close-quarters combat and heavy losses, orders were ultimately given for a withdrawal. The battle highlighted the challenges of urban warfare and the high stakes of maintaining supply lines and troop morale in the face of adversity.In the aftermath, the results of the Battle of Cisterna were felt deeply by the American forces and influenced subsequent operations in the Italian Campaign. As the Allies continued their efforts to push northward across Italy, the lessons learned indicated the need for better coordination and reconnaissance when engaging in offensives against entrenched positions.