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Visiting San Pietro Infine: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
While visiting San Pietro Infine, you can clearly see the name John Huston displayed on top of the local hotel. But who was this man? John Huston was in London when he learned that Frank Capra had a new mission for him. Capra sent Huston to Italy to film the challenges the Allies faced in their advance toward Rome. Huston considered the Battle of San Pietro Infine the perfect setting for his project. The film was titled The Battle of San Pietro, and it was preceded by a short preface of about two to three minutes.
John Huston’s documentary about San Pietro Infine
The man speaking in the preface is General Mark Clark, who explains the area and the battle. Naturally, John Huston was asked to write something to explain the Allied strategy for the attack and their success in Italy. He wrote what he understood about the battle—not as a commander, but as a filmmaker present in Italy. Huston was quite surprised some weeks later when, watching his documentary, he heard Mark Clark in the preface reciting almost word for word what Huston had written. Clark had clearly memorized it all, giving Huston the impression that there was no real planned strategy behind it.
The Village of San Pietro Infine in WW2 history
But where is San Pietro Infine, and why is visiting it so important?
In 1943, the village of San Pietro Infine became tragically involved in the Italian Campaign because it was located at a very strategic point for the Allied advance. Despite the opposing opinions of some experienced American soldiers, General Clark ordered the attack and conquest of San Pietro Infine, even though fewer than four German battalions were barricaded in trenches and strongholds.
Visiting San Pietro Infine
On December 7th and 8th, 1943, American artillery bombarded the German strongpoints with little success, partly because the enemy artillery was positioned on top of Monte Lungo, directly facing Monte Sammucro and the village of San Pietro Infine. This gave the Germans an excellent view of the battlefield. No American forces managed to advance more than 400–500 meters from their starting point. After suffering heavy losses, the Americans launched a tank assault on San Pietro Infine, sending 16 tanks along the Annunziata Lunga road toward the town center. However, the road was too narrow—12 tanks were disabled, and only 4 managed to retreat.
Visiting San Pietro Infine
On December 16th, after a bloody assault by the Italians, the Americans conquered Monte Lungo, and the Germans decided to abandon San Pietro on the 17th. John Huston and his crew were the first to enter and film the village, which had been reduced to rubble. On December 20th, 1943, the American newspaper Daily News announced in its headlines: “San Pietro Infine Captured!”
Visiting San Pietro Infine means also having a general idea about the drama of the civilians.
About 130 people from San Pietro Infine died because of the war. They tried to find safety by seeking refuge in the valley caves, which had been created during World War II as shelters from bombing. Around 500 people saved themselves inside these caves, located in the western valley of the old village, and were able to communicate with each other. From the outside, there are about 10 entrances, but inside it is just one very long and dark cave. The village of San Pietro Infine still stands after nearly 80 years. The rubble remains partially intact, and the various shops, houses, and churches are still visible among the vegetation. It is often called the “Pompeii of the Second World War.”
Visiting Sian Pietro Infine it’s also a way to remember an other great man: Ernie Pyle
But how do we know all this? Because John Huston was not the only one on the battlefield. There was also another very important man: Ernie Pyle, one of the most famous war reporters of the Second World War.
If President Truman once called Ernie Pyle “the spokesman of the ordinary American in arms,” it means that Pyle was a revolutionary war correspondent. It’s quite simple: he wasn’t interested in the war as seen by generals; he was there to describe the everyday life, the struggles, the camaraderie between soldiers, the patriotism, honor, and dignity of the US soldiers during WWII.
Ernie Pyle in the Battle of San Pietro Infine
He had the great idea of bringing the harsh reality of war into the homes of families worldwide. He was born in 1900 in Dana, Indiana. After graduating from Indiana University, he started working as a reporter and copy editor. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1944 for his reporting and served as a war correspondent from 1935 to 1945, covering most of World War II. His columns appeared in about 200 newspapers. It’s likely that he followed the U.S. Army partly to escape from a troubled marriage with Geraldine Siebolds, whom he married in 1925.
The Battle of San Pietro Infine
He had the brilliant idea of bringing the harsh realities of war into the homes of families worldwide. Born in 1900 in Dana, Indiana, he graduated from Indiana University before starting his career as a reporter and copy editor. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1944 for his outstanding war reporting and served as a war correspondent from 1935 to 1945, covering much of World War II. His columns were published in around 200 newspapers. It is believed that he followed the U.S. Army partly to escape a troubled marriage with Geraldine Siebolds, whom he married in 1925.
Ernie Pyle
On a permanent stone monument on Shima, it is written: “At this spot, the 77th Infantry Division lost a buddy — Ernie Pyle, 18 April 1945.” His groundbreaking style of reporting from World War II continued to influence American war correspondents during the Vietnam War and beyond. He was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
Visiting San Pietro Infine:WHAT YOU MUST KNOW
Visiting San Pietro Infine: MY TOUR
San Pietro Infine
Open every weekend throughout the year.
Advance booking required.
Free entry.
Wheelchair not accessible.
Please note: There are no parking facilities on site.