British Divisions
1st Armoured Division
Elements of the division were transferred to Italy in March 1944, but the majority did not arrive until May 1944. It first went into action in early September 1944 with the 8th Army on the Gothic Line, but due to heavy losses and poor performance, it was disbanded before the month's end.
6th Armoured Division
Elements of the division arrived in Italy in January 1944, but the majority of the division did not arrive until March. It then served in Italy until the end of hostilities in May 1945, participating in the breakthrough at Cassino, the advance to Florence, fighting on the Gothic Line, and the final offensive in the spring of 1945.
7th Armoured Division
The division served in Italy from September to December 1943. It took part in the breakout from Salerno to the Volturno and onto the Gustav Line. It returned to the UK in December 1943.
1st Infantry Division
The division served in Italy from December 1943 to January 1945. It served at Anzio, then the advance from Florence to the Apennines and subsequently on the Gothic Line. It moved to Palestine in January 1945.
4th Infantry Division
The division served in Italy from March to December 1944. It saw action at Cassino, the advance to Florence, and latterly on the Gothic Line. It was sent to Greece at the end of 1944.
46th Infantry Division
The division served in Italy from September 1943 until March 1944 and again from July 1944 to December 1944. It landed at Salerno, and took part in the advance to the Gustav Line and the initial Cassino battles. In March 1944, it left for the Middle East, returning to Italy in July 1944. It took part in the Gothic Line battles before being transferred to Greece at the end of 1944.
5th Infantry Division
The division served in Italy from September 1943 to July 1944. It crossed from Sicily in September 1943 and took part in the advance up the Adriatic coast to the Sangro and Moro. In early 1944, it fought on the Garigliagno before being transferred to Anzio. In July 1944, it was sent to the Middle East.
56th Infantry Division
The division served in Italy from September 1943 until March 1944 and again from July 1944 to May 1945. It landed at Salerno and took part in the advance to the Gustav Line and the initial Cassino battles before being sent to Anzio in February 1944. In March 1944, it was moved to the Middle East, returning to Italy in July 1944. It participated in the Gothic Line battles and the final spring offensive in 1945.
78th Infantry Division
The division served in Italy from September 1943 until July 1944 and again from September 1944 until May 1945. It took part in Sangro and Moro operations in late 1943. In 1944, it saw action at Cassino and the advance to the Trasimere Line before being withdrawn to the Middle East in July 1944. The division returned to Italy in September 1944 taking part in the fighting on the Gothic Line and the final offensive in spring 1945.
1st Airborne Division
The division served in Italy from September to December 1943, when it returned to the UK. It left behind 2 Parachute Brigade, which remained in Italy.