planned, with Penney's 1st Division landing in the northern sector of Anzio, catching the Germans completely by surprise. However, the corps commander, Lucas, decided instead to consolidate his beachhead before following Alexander's instructions to drive for the Alban Hills. The German response was swift, with Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring, C-in-C of German Army Group C, ordering all local troops, as well as reinforcements from Germany and France, forward to oppose the Allied landings at Anzio. In this way, by 26 January, four days after the operation started, opposing the Allies at Anzio were elements of six German divisions. At the same time, the Allied offensive on the main front at Cassino did not produce the desired result, meaning there could be little, if any, hope of an early link-up between the VI Corps and the rest of the Fifth Army, effectively leaving the former to face the inevitable German onslaught alone. On 30 January, Lucas decided to make his move, ordering Penney's division, with Harmon's US 1st Armored Division in support, forwards to Campoleone, thus creating a salient in the line. The attack, however, failed in its objective of capturing the Campoleone station, with very heavy casualties, mainly to the exposed 3rd Brigade, and, in particular, to the 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, which had begun the assault with 35 officers and 786 other ranks (ORs), and by 31 January had been reduced to 8 officers and 250 ORs. The Germans were now determined in their attempts to destroy the 3rd Brigade in its exposed position, as part of the first phase of their offensive to drive the VI Corps back into the sea. They launched their first major counterattack on 3 February, targeting the 3rd Brigade around Carroceto station and Aprilia. The positions held by the 2nd and 24th Brigades were infiltrated by the Germans and the 6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, suffered very heavy losses, with almost three whole rifle companies being destroyed, the majority of the men being taken prisoner. On the right flank, in the 24th Guards Brigade sector, with the loss of so many Gordons, the right flank was exposed and the Germans surged through it, only being prevented by the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards. The attacks ceased for a few days, resuming on 8 February and, although the 24th Guards Brigade, supported by elements of the American 504th PRCT, fought well and was engaged in severe fighting