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The OSS Missions: Behind Enemy Lines | ||
As the military operations on the Gustav Line stayed blocked for several months, the OSS activity in collaboration with the Resistance became crucial. The OSS collected and transmitted information and carried out sabotage operations. As a consequence, the difference between the activities of the two most important groups (the SI/Italy, responsible for general intelligence and the OSS/5th Army Detachment, responsible for tactical support) became blurred, as both carried out long and short range missions all over the German-occupied territory. In the Summer of 1944, following the successful battle of Cassino, the Italian campaign slowed and became secondary to the invasion of France. The Allied forces in Italy were reorganized and diminished, keeping the Italian Front open and allowing German divisions to remain in place rather than being deployed to defend other northern European fronts. This strategy intensified the OSS and partisan military operations behind the lines and the role of the United States in Italy became predominant. |
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