WI different allied strategy in Italy?

[mattep74]

WI the allies in WW2 had different strategies in Italy

Once they reached the Gustav line and realized how hard it would be to crack it they withdraw a few miles and build defences and just sit there and let the clock run out so to speak. Troops are used in Greece or southern France.

Instead of Anzio, why not use the troops further north and secure a bridgehead near Genoa or so?

What if instead of going for Salerno the allies make a feint and then land at Anzio? Would Kesselring be ready for that?

 

[marathag]

Like Market-Garden, it was a gamble worth taking.
Both needed more planning and logistics, and better spearheads

 

[raharris1973]

Once they reached the Gustav line and realized how hard it would be to crack it they withdraw a few miles and build defences and just sit there and let the clock run out so to speak.

letting the clock run out, waiting for what? Summer 1944 D-Day in France? What militarily useful labor are they getting out of the force in that time. How do they substitute for the pressure applied in Italy?

Troops are used in Greece or southern France.

When?

By this point all these shores are German-occupied and guarded.

What if instead of going for Salerno the allies make a feint and then land at Anzio?

The Germans would think Salerno the real thing and Anzio is the feint.

Would Kesselring be ready for that?

Maybe not, but if he is, the Allies can be screwed. And Allies wouldn't have any power to effect movements of German forces in Italy north of Salerno toward the early Anzio bridgehead. The air forces could hit, slow, or damage some units maldeployed at Salerno or points south trying to move north, but once they get north of town, they can roam free full speed in daylight to go to the real Anzio fight.