Steve: Great post! Let me rant on here too; while it is oh so easy for all of us to Monday-morning quarterback, I think it has been a consistent opinion that Lucas held back in the VERY beginning, and froze for way too long. Even though it was for a short period, we DID have the advantage and the forestalling only brought on more misery, death, casualties and the lengthening of the Anzio campaign. Pretty much everything I have read about the campaign will substantiate that point of view. We became quagmired and at that point it was a hopeless situation. I think we allowed the German lines to become even stronger and of course because of terrain and other factors, their strength only grew.
It certainly was NOT a reflection of the American fighting spirit, nor the tenacity of the American soldier. Given the circumstances, the American soldier shone like a bright light. It certainly is a testament to their fortitude.
When I think about Anzio, it sometimes sickens me, and to this day knowing what I know, cannot believe that we survived. God bless them all. 
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"