Battles of Monte Cassino
Four battles were fought around the ancient Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino between January and May 1944, forming the most gruelling campaign of the Italian theatre. The Gustav Line — Germany's Winter defensive line anchored on the Cassino heights — blocked the Allied advance on Rome for five months. British, American, New Zealand, Indian, Polish, French, and Moroccan forces assaulted the formidable position in turn, in rain, mud, and cold that reduced the fighting to conditions reminiscent of the First World War. The controversial Allied bombing of the monastery on 15 February 1944 (it was empty of Germans at the time, but the ruins proved an even better defensive position) outraged world opinion. The final breakthrough came in May 1944 when Free French and Moroccan Goumiers forces scaled the Aurunci Mountains, outflanking the position; Polish forces of the II Corps under General Anders captured Monte Cassino itself on 18 May, raising their white-eagle standard over the ruins.
- Year: 1944 CE
- Category: Military
