The Battle of Cisterna took place during World War II, on January 29, 1944, near Cisterna , Italy, as part of Operation Shingle.
During this battle, the 1st , 3rd , and 4th US Army Ranger battalions attempted to capture the town of Cisterna, an objective which the US 3rd Division had failed to take.
After a counterattack by German Mark IV tanks, 755 of 761 soldiers within the 1st and 3rd Battalions were lost. The 4th Battalion suffered additional casualties. US tanks attempted to reinforce the Rangers, however mines prevented their advance. The town remained in German hands and the Ranger forces within Italy were subsequently disbanded.
William O. Darby served as the American commander during this engagement.
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