What would happen if Clark didn't disobey Alexander and captured Velmontone instead?

Vietinghoff's 10th Army would have been cut off and perhaps even destroyed. Hitler would certainly have ordered it to stand its ground rather than attempt to break off. That's what Hitler did (Stalingrad, Egypt, Tunisia, etc.) and you could count on it.

Germany would have to rush reinforcements down to secure Italy; draining more men and material from other fronts. This may have made it easier for the Russians and for Overlord.

Thoughts?

 

Currently reading Flint Whitlock's book, The Rock of Anzio. Clark met with Marshall who told him that Rome should fall before Overlord. He cites Sheppard's The Italian Campaign, p255.