World War 2 Anzio

When the Allies landed at Anzio the success of an amphibious landing at that location, a beach surrounded by mountains, depended completely on the element of surprise and the swiftness with which the invaders could move before the defenders reacted. Any delay could result in the occupation of the mountains by the defenders and the consequent entrapment of the invaders. General Lucas, who preferred to take time to entrench against an expected counterattack allowed the German Forces in the area to react and seize the high ground in the mountains that surrounded Anzio.