American infantrymen shelter behind the turret of a Sherman tank on June 5, 1944, as they enter Rome proper. Note the sniper’s bullet hole beneath the “o” on the sign. Rome was declared "open city", but the Germans left some snipers behind...


Dodging bullets

U.S. troops from the 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment and 143rd Infantry climb through the rubble of San Pietro on December 17, 1943. A gunner described the Italian village as “one large mound of desolation.”


Desolation

Jubiliant Romans throng the streets to greet Mark W. Clark, the conquering general, on June 5, 1944, as his driver wanders through the city in search of the Capitoline. In the rear seat behind Clark are the Fifth Army chief of staff, Major General Alfred M. Gruenther (left), and Keyes, the II Corps commander.
