Gothic Line

In World War II, German defensive line in Italy extending from south of La Spezia on the west coast, through the Apuan mountains and the Apennine passes, and then down the Foglia valley to the Adriatic Sea between Pesaro and Cattolica.

The Germans retired to this line, a heavily fortified belt some 16 km/10 mi deep, after the fall of Rome June 1944. The Allies tried to break the line by using the US 5th Army to keep up pressure on the western end while the British 8th Army broke through on the east and exploited through the Po valley. The Germans defended strongly and although the British finally breached the line late October 1944, the winter weather was so severe that the ground became impassable and immediate exploitation was impossible.