1944 Monte Cassino falls to the Allies

The Polish flag is flying over the ruins of the ancient Italian monastery which has been a symbol of German resistance since the beginning of the year.

Polish troops entered the hill-top abbey this morning, six days after the latest attacks began on this strategic stronghold at the western end of the German defensive position known as the Gustav Line.

British troops have taken control of the fortified town of Cassino at the foot of the “Monastery Hill”.

The Allies’ hard-fought victory comes four months after their first assault on Monastery Hill failed in January.

A German official announcement said: “Cassino, which the Anglo-Americans have vainly been charging for months with strong forces, was evacuated without a fight on Wednesday night in favour of a bolt position farther in the rear for the sake of economising in forces.”

The Allies, under the overall command of General Sir Harold Alexander, began the fourth and final offensive for Monte Cassino on 11 May.

The Gustav Line was finally breached on 14 May. While the 5th Army made a flanking attack to the south, the 8th Army of British, Polish, Canadian and Indian troops made a frontal assault on the line at Cassino.

In addition, the French Expeditionary Force, part of the 5th Army, attacked from the west.

According to reports from Allied headquarters, the 8th Army succeeded in cutting Highway Six, the main road linking the south to Rome

They also claimed a “substantial proportion” of the 1st German Parachute Division had been destroyed.

In the six days of fighting at Cassino the Allies have taken more than 1,500 prisoners.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The Allies had landed troops on the west coast of Italy at Anzio in January with the intention of breaking the deadlock in the Italian campaign.

However, they suffered heavy losses from Field Marshall Albert Kesselring’s troops and it was only after reinforcements arrived that they succeeded in breaking out from the beachhead and linking up with the US 5th Army on 25 May.

The 5th Army under Lieutenant-General Mark Clark pressed on to take Rome on 5 June 1944 ignoring orders from General Sir Harold Alexander to thrust into the German line of retreat. The capture of Rome was seen as significant but it meant the Germans escaped.

The Italian campaign then assumed secondary status as six divisions were withdrawn for the French Riviera landings. Efforts were made to replace these troops with Italians.

The Allies’ advance through Italy was slowed down by bad weather and difficult terrain. The Americans and British also disagreed over the aims of the campaign which led to a lack of clear leadership.