Anzio – Soldiers waded onto a beach, fighter planes flew overhead and jeeps filed along the seaside at Anzio in Italy this weekend as the resort town marks the 70th anniversary of Allied landings during World War II. Thousands of American, British and Canadian troops lost their lives in and around Anzio, after months of trench warfare, led to the liberation of Rome from the Nazis. The battle for Anzio dragged on until June 1944. Seven thousand soldiers were confirmed killed on the Allied side and 5,000 on the German, with tens of thousands more reported wounded or missing in action.

A volunteer wearing the uniform of the U.S. army participates in the re-enactment of a World War Two landing to mark its 70th anniversary in Anzio, near Rome, January 25, 2014. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

World War II enthusiasts wearing WWII garbs walk on Anzio beach, 52 km south of Rome, during a re-enactament to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings in Italy, on January 25, 2014. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Photo)

World War II enthusiasts take part in a re-enactament to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings on Anzio beach, 52 km south of Rome, on January 25, 2014. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Photo)

A volunteer wearing the uniform of the German Army participates in the re-enactment of a World War Two landing to mark its 70th anniversary in Anzio, near Rome, January 25, 2014. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

World War II enthusiasts take part in a re-enactament to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings on Anzio beach, 52 km south of Rome, on January 25, 2014. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Photo)

Volunteers wearing the uniform of the U.S. army pose as they participate in the re-enactment of a World War Two landing to mark its 70th anniversary in Anzio, near Rome, January 25, 2014. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

Volunteers wearing the uniform of the U.S. army patrol as they participate in the re-enactment of a World War Two landing to mark its 70th anniversary in Anzio, near Rome, January 25, 2014. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

World War II enthusiasts take part in a re-enactment to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings on Anzio beach, 52 km south of Rome, on January 25, 2014. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Photo)

Volunteers wearing the uniforms of the old U.S. army participate in the re-enactment of the World War Two landing to mark its 70th anniversary in Anzio, near Rome, January 25, 2014. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

Volunteers wearing the uniform of the U.S. army participate in the re-enactment of a World War Two landing to mark its 70th anniversary in Anzio, near Rome, January 25, 2014. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

World War II enthusiasts take part in a re-enactament to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings on Anzio beach, 52 km south of Rome, on January 25, 2014. Thousands of American, British and Canadian troops lost their lives in and around Anzio in one of the key battles of the war which, after months of trench warfare, led to the liberation of Rome from the Nazis. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Photo)

A volunteer wearing the uniform of the U.S. army smokes a cigar as he participates in the re-enactment of a World War Two landing to mark its 70th anniversary in Anzio, near Rome, January 25, 2014. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

An old typewriter and telephone are seen at the German Army trench during the re-enactment of a World War Two landing to mark its 70th anniversary in Anzio, near Rome, January 25, 2014. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

World War II enthusiasts take part in a re-enactament to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings on Anzio beach, 52 km south of Rome, on January 25, 2014. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Photo)

World War II enthusiasts take part in a re-enactament to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings on Anzio beach, 52 km south of Rome, on January 25, 2014. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP Photo)