BRITISH ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNNERS protecting U. S. engineers constructing a Bailey bridge on Highway 64 crossing the Reno River. This was in preparation for an attack on Monte Belvedere west of the highway. The 3,600-foot mountain was taken on 24 November 1944 by elements of a U. S. Negro infantry regiment and members of British and U. S. antiaircraft units serving as infantry. The enemy counterattacked for five days and the Allies had to give up the position. During the fall and winter of 1944 most U. S. and British antiaircraft units were being trained for infantry duty as rapidly as training and the issuance of appropriate weapons would permit. (The gun shown is the 40-mm. automatic antiaircraft type, originally made in Sweden and used by the Allies and the enemy. The gun could be towed at 50 miles per hour and transferred from traveling to firing position in 25 seconds.)] [Illustration: ITALY PATROL ACTIVITY, December 1944. During the relatively quiet period of the first half of December, both sides sent patrols to probe the front lines and bring back prisoners. When the cold weather set in, winter clothing was issued, including the reversible, hooded coat known as the parka shown above. One side was the conventional olive drab, the other side white for camouflage in snow. New type shoepacs, combination wool sweaters and cotton field jackets, and sleeping bags left the troops better prepared for inclement weather than they were during the previous winter, but there would be no possibility of keeping dry at the front during an attack when the rain lasted for days on end.] [Illustration: ITALY INSPECTING FRONT-LINE TROOPS FOR TRENCH FOOT. The second winter of fighting in Italy found the Allies better equipped to handle the trench foot problem which in November 1943 accounted for 20 percent of the casualties at its peak incidence. Units were gradually being equipped with shoepacs, an important item in the prevention of trench foot. The shoepac consisted of a moccasin-shaped foot of rubber, and a laced, waterproofed leather top, which extended well up the calf of the leg. It was worn with felt inner soles or woolen ski socks.] [Illustration: ITALY PIPELINE PUMPING STATION AT LEGHORN. Construction of this line started soon after the capture of the port. By 23 November 1944 the pipeline had reached Highway 65 just a few miles behind the front, eliminating the trucking of gasoline over this already overcrowded road.] [Illustration: ITALY DOUBLE PIPELINE which carried gasoline from the port of Leghorn to the army front in the Apennines. “Pipeline walking” to inspect for leakage was done by jeep whenever possible. Because of hilly terrain several booster pumping stations were necessary. (4-inch double pipeline.)] [Illustration: ITALY