It was fought on multiple faces and was one of the longest battles on the italian front. The 20 most important battles of world war ii popular mechanics. This battle was fought between the axis powers in italy and the allied powers in monte cassino, italy. Monte cassino sometimes written montecassino is a rocky hill about kilometres 81 mi southeast of rome, in the latin valley, italy, 2 kilometres 1. A veteran remembers one of the costliest battles of world war 2 the italian campaign of 194345 is a largely forgotten part of wwii. The battle for monte cassino was a series of 4 battles fought by the allies in an attempt to smash the german gustav line of defences during the italian winter to early summer of 1944. In the battle of monte cassino and the subsequent fight for rome in the following weeks, the allies lost over 100,000 men. The main german positions generally ran along the valleys created by the rapido river, liri river, and the garigliano river. The history of the battle for rome during world war ii chronicles the crucial 1944 battle. Canada italy 19431945 the second world war history. German panther tank camouflaged between buildings, near monte cassino, italy, aprmay 1944. Though clark felt the odds of success were low, an effort needed to be made to support the anzio landings which would occur further north on january 22. The battle of monte cassino and the breaking of the gustav.
The fourth battle of cassino or operation diadem 1118 may 1944 was a large scale allied attack that finally broke the stalemate on the cassino front, and allowed the allies to occupy rome just before the. The allies reached the western end of the german gustav line in italy in midjan 1943. In march 1944 the 1st and 4th essex battalions were enmeshed in one of the most bloody, dramatic british engagements of the war five brutal days of fighting for the key obstacle on the allied. Operations including monte cassino and the battle of anzio would play an important role in the war, in which most of italy would be rid of german soldiers. It became clear that the attack on monte cassino had failed and the first battle ended. Battle of monte cassino ww2 timeline january 17th may 18th. The first battle of cassino dragged on until midfebruary. Were it not for the allied breakthrough at the gustav line followed by the capture of monte cassino on may 17th, 1944, and the meeting up of. Despite the allies superior numbers the terrain and winter weather allowed the germans to hold their ground. In an effort to break the disastrous stalemate at anzio, the allies launched operation diadem on 11 may 1944. Battle of monte cassino photographs world war ii database. Anzio landings ww2 timeline january 22nd june 5th, 1944.
Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about monte cassino. Battle of monte cassino simple english wikipedia, the. Reaching the gustav line near cassino on january 15, 1944, the us fifth army immediately began preparations to assault the german positions. Nevertheless it was extremely bloody and was the scene of a nightmarish battle.
Such was his unhappiness with the progression of the battle. Philippines, the chief center of aaf activity in s philippines being del monte. An eyewitness who saw survivors of the 34th division descending from the mountains wrote. The abbeys treasures were removed to rome earlier in the war.
Make educational timelines or create a timeline for your company website. The battle of monte cassino will always be remembered as the longest battle ever fought on european soil, comparable to losses to such costly battles as the somme, verdun or stalingrad. Lego ww2 battle of monte cassino stop motion youtube. For the 3 rd assault, twin attacks were planned from the north of the rapido valley into the town and the monastery hill. The battle of monte cassino was one of the most important battles of world war two. Despite the allies superior numbers the terrain and winter weather.
New film pays tribute to forgotten heroes of monte cassino. Two more offensives, which resulted in the destruction of the abbey and aerial bombardment of the region. Monte cassino was the last major action the original 100th completed. Battle of monte cassino ww2 timeline january 17th may. Timeline of battle of monte cassino history learning site. Battle of monte cassino the battle of monte cassino was an expensive series of four assaults by the allies against the winter line in italy held by axis forces during the italian campaign of world war ii. Culture film news new film pays tribute to forgotten heroes of monte cassino. Aircraft program for aaf in uk is revised downward from 3,649 to 3,266, and. After attempts to overcome the germans in the liri valley and at anzio ended in stalemate, the allies struggled to capture the western anchor of the gustav line and the roman catholic abbey of monte cassino. The four successive allied assaults on these positions became known as the battle of monte cassino. In truth, the only indicator for a victory in this battle was that the gustav line fell. Battle of monte cassino breaking through german defense. Timeline of events related to the battle of monte cassino in italy during the fighting of world war ii battle of monte cassino ww2 timeline january 17th may 18th, 1944 the road to rome was blocked by the imposing gustav line four major, costly assaults later and the axis defenders were sent packing.
The importance of this battle was allied victory and monte cassino. Go for broke national education center preserving the. Polish troops capture monte cassino from germany the gustav line with help from us, british and french troops. In the battle of monte cassino, the allies faced insurmountable obstacles in their mission to break down german defenses and liberate the eternal city of rome. Other articles where battle of monte cassino is discussed. Timeline of events related to the battle of monte cassino in italy during the fighting of world war ii battle of monte cassino ww2 timeline january 17th may 18th, 1944 the road to rome was. The battle of monte cassino also known as the battle for rome and the battle for cassino was a costly series of four assaults by the allies against the winter line in italy held by axis forces during the italian. German troops established positions on the hill of monte cassino. Peter caddickadams is a lecturer in military history and current defense issues at the uk defence academy.
In 1969, on the 25th anniversary of the battle of monte cassino, a souvenir sheet was issued featuring a portrait of the. The battle of monte cassino was a costly series of four assaults by the allies against the winter line in italy held by axis forces during the italian campaign of. In march 1944 the allies were enmeshed in one of the most bloody, dramatic battles of the war brutal days of fighting for the key obstacle on the allied route to rome. It was a series of four attacks by the allies against the. Timeline of events related to the battle of monte cassino in italy during the fighting of world war ii. The polish war cemetery at monte cassino holds the graves of 1,072 poles who died storming the bombedout benedictine abbey atop the mountain in may 1944, during the battle of monte cassino.
Monte cassino effectively blocked the allies route north to rome and had to be taken despite the difficulties of doing. The fact files in this timeline were commissioned by the bbc in june 2003 and. The key allied armoured formations involved in the battle. The battle of monte cassino was a series of assaults on the winter line, a defensive line in italy based on several mountain ridges and valleys. Key second world war battle left 200,000 dead or injured but was overshadowed by dday. Battle of the kasserine pass tunisia campaign mar 23, 1943. After that, the battalion received replacements from the 442nd regimental combat team and headed for anzio. Rain ensured that movement around monte cassino was limited. A view of the rebuilt abbey on monte cassino, taken from one of the war cemeteries at cassino. The battle of monte cassino also known as the battle for rome and the battle for cassino was a costly series of four assaults by the allies against the winter line in italy held by axis forces during the italian campaign of world war ii.
The battle of monte cassino also called the battle for rome and the battle for cassino was a battle during the italian campaign of world war ii. Us 34th division started their attack on monte cassino. World war ii american involved battles timeline created by superity. Fourth battle of cassino, 11 18 may 1944 operation diadem.