Thunderbird Trail in Italy
45th Infantry Division - OKNG - National Guard Oklahoma
Led by historian Dr. Danila Bracaglia, this experience connects you with the courage and sacrifice of the Thunderbirds through battlefield analysis, wartime photos and multimedia storytelling onboard our Mercedes battle bus.
Paestum to Venafro - The Italian Campaign Begins
Paestum Landings - 10 September 1943
The Thunderbirds landed near the ancient Greek temples of Paestum under artillery and mortar fire. These beaches mark the beginning of their Italian campaign during Operation Avalanche.
Eboli, Battipaglia and Ponte Sele
The division fought intense battles across the Salerno plain. German counterattacks struck Eboli, Battipaglia and the strategic crossing at Ponte Sele.
- Eboli - critical road and supply hub under pressure.
- Battipaglia - fierce urban combat and heavy shelling.
- Ponte Sele - vital crossing defended with determination.
Tobacco Factory and the Sele Corridor
The advance continued along the Sele and Calore valleys. The Tobacco Factory area became one of the most heavily contested positions of the entire campaign.
Altavilla, Serre and Campagna
These hilltop towns, defended by German rear guards, offered commanding views over the valley. The Thunderbirds fought through them to stabilise the northern edge of the beachhead.
Ernest Childers - Medal of Honor near Oliveto Citra (22 September 1943)
After securing the high ground of Altavilla and Serre, the division advanced inland. On 22 September 1943, Second Lieutenant Ernest Childers attacked German machine gun posts near Oliveto Citra despite having a broken foot. His actions earned him the Medal of Honor, making him the first Native American to receive the award during World War Two.
The tour can include a visit to Oliveto Citra and its Holocaust Museum, connecting the early Italian battles to the division’s later role as liberators of Jewish prisoners in Germany.
Telese Terme - Headquarters and Staging Area
After the Sele valley battles, the division moved north into the Benevento area. Telese Terme served as a headquarters, rest area and logistical hub where soldiers reorganised, received replacements and prepared for the assault on the Volturno and Winter Line.
From Telese the division launched reconnaissance operations toward the Calore and Volturno river lines, testing German positions before the main attack.
Volturno River Crossing - 13/14 October 1943
Near Triflisco and Dragoni, the 45th crossed the flooded Volturno River under rain, mud and machine gun fire. Despite the harsh conditions, the Thunderbirds secured a solid bridgehead.
Dragoni, Alife and Prata Sannita
After crossing the Volturno, the division advanced through Dragoni and the Alife basin, fighting German rear guards who held successive ridgelines leading toward the Matese mountains.
Venafro Sector - November 1943
In late November the division held exposed mountain positions around Venafro and Conca Casale under snow, rain and constant shelling. The 45th did not participate in the nearby battles of Monte Lungo, Monte Sammucro or San Pietro Infine.
The Thunderbirds Liberate the First Concentration Camp
On 29 April 1945, the 45th Infantry Division liberated the Dachau complex, the first concentration camp encountered by American forces. This remains one of the division's lasting legacies and is an important part of its story.
Field Orders and Reports - Voices of the Thunderbirds
The division's operational reports reveal the intensity of the Italian campaign. These excerpts reflect the challenges faced from Paestum to Anzio.
"Units will maintain continuous advance and exploit every opportunity to disorganize enemy positions."
"Enemy resistance is strong on all ridges. Artillery and machine gun fire are continuous."
"German forces launch repeated assaults against our positions. All units are directed to hold present lines and repel attacks."
Anzio Beachhead - January to May 1944
Reinforcements for the Anzio Beachhead
The initial landings at Anzio and Nettuno on 22 January 1944 were carried out by the US 3rd Infantry Division, the British 1st Infantry Division and Ranger and Commando units. The 45th Infantry Division arrived a few days later, between 24 and 26 January, as a major reinforcement for the hard fighting that followed.
Anzio Town and the Port
We visit the modern port and waterfront, walking the ground that became the vital supply lifeline of the beachhead. Wartime photos and maps help to visualise how the area looked in 1944.
Aprilia - "The Factory"
Known to the soldiers as "The Factory", Aprilia became the scene of some of the bloodiest fighting of the campaign. Once the 45th Division entered the line, it took heavy casualties in this sector as the town changed hands several times and was almost completely destroyed.
Carroceto, Campoleone and The Caves Line
North of Anzio the division held trench lines and dugouts under constant artillery and infantry attacks. Today, roads, fields and scattered memorials help reconstruct the frontline landscape where the Thunderbirds held their positions.
Albano Road and the Final Breakout
In May 1944 the 45th advanced along the Albano Road as part of the breakout from the beachhead during Operation Diadem, contributing to the liberation of Rome.
Nettuno American Cemetery
The Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno is the final resting place of thousands of US servicemen, including many soldiers of the 45th Division. It is a solemn and essential stop on this tour.
Tour Options
You may book one or more days depending on your interests and timeframe. All tours are fully customisable and can be adapted to family stories, specific battlefields, or particular sites you wish to include.
Suggested Multi Day Framework
This example itinerary follows the historical route of the Thunderbirds:
- Day 1: Paestum, Eboli, Battipaglia, Ponte Sele, Tobacco Factory
- Day 2: Altavilla, Serre, Campagna, Oliveto Citra (Childers sites and Holocaust Museum)
- Day 3: Telese Terme, Volturno River, Dragoni and Alife
- Day 4: Venafro sector and the Winter Line battlefields
- Day 5: Anzio, Aprilia, Campoleone, Albano Road, Nettuno Cemetery
Optional Cultural and Archaeological Tours
As a licensed guide of Rome and the Vatican Museums, and holding a Masters degree in Archaeology, I can offer optional cultural extensions to your battlefield tour.
- Rome city tour with Colosseum and Roman Forum
- Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
- Pompeii archaeological site
- Via Appia Antica and the Roman countryside
- Additional customised tours across Rome and beyond
Book Your Tour
Would you like to walk in the footsteps of the 45th Infantry Division?
Contact Dr. Danila Bracaglia for a customised battlefield experience.
Email: danila.bracaglia@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +39 338 2458831