Smoking Cobras

In February 1945, after a static defense for nine weeks due to lack of ammunition, bad weather, and heavy losses - Brazil 's FEB would get another chance to prove their worth as assault troops in Italy. “Operation Encore”, a …

1945-02-18

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In February 1945, after a static defense for nine weeks due to lack of ammunition, bad weather, and heavy losses - Brazil 's FEB would get another chance to prove their worth as assault troops in Italy. “Operation Encore”, a limited offensive aimed at capturing several dominating heights (including Monte Castello), began on February 18. While the arrived U.S. 10th Mountain Division attacked Mt. Belvedere on their left flank, the Smoking Cobras of the FEB advanced up Monte Costello for their fifth attack on the position, this time, however, with air and armor support. The FEB had spent four of its nine months in the front lines under the deadly gaze of the German guns on Monte Costello. That ended after a day of hard fighting when the tenacious Brazilians took the hill by sunset on February 21. The mountaintop was then held in the face of numerous German counterattacks. The Brazilians had finally conquered their demon of rock and snow.

Monte Castello, Italy

The Battle of Monte Castello was an engagement that took place from 25 November 1944 to 21 February 1945 during the Italian campaign of World War II. It was fought between the Allied forces advancing into northern Italy and the dug-in German defenders. The battle marked the Brazilian Expeditionary Force's entry into the land war in Europe. Starting in November 1944, fierce combat dragged on for three months, ending on 21 February 1945. Six Allied attacks were mounted against the German forces, four of which were tactical failures.

Wikipedia: Battle of Monte Castello

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