World War IIWorld War II

Battle of Monte CassinoJan 4 - May 18, 1944

Battle of Monte CassinoJan 4 - May 18, 1944

In late 1943…In late 1943…

German troops had blocked off northern Italy, Rome from allies

Monte Cassino, an elevated area in the Liri Valley, was crucial to Germany’s defense of Rome

German troops had blocked off northern Italy, Rome from allies

Monte Cassino, an elevated area in the Liri Valley, was crucial to Germany’s defense of Rome

http://www.45thdivision.org/CampaignsBattles/Naples_Foggia/map1.jpg

http://www.remembrancedaysong.com/images/Pilgrimage/Jan2007/Cassino-map.jpg

December, 1943December, 1943

Allied troops from the United States, Great Britain, Poland, Morocco, France, and Algeria began arriving in Italy.

German troops held their position in and around Cassino.

Allied troops surrounded Monte Cassino from the West, North and East

Allied troops from the United States, Great Britain, Poland, Morocco, France, and Algeria began arriving in Italy.

German troops held their position in and around Cassino.

Allied troops surrounded Monte Cassino from the West, North and East

The Battle Begins…The Battle Begins…

Phase One began Jan. 4, 1944. In preparation for Allied troops,

German army laid land mined to the South along the Rapido River, gained high ground, set up heavy artillery.

Artillery fire began on January 17, 1944.

Phase One began Jan. 4, 1944. In preparation for Allied troops,

German army laid land mined to the South along the Rapido River, gained high ground, set up heavy artillery.

Artillery fire began on January 17, 1944.

Attack from the EastAttack from the East

To completely surround the German Army, the Allies had to cross the Rapido River.

Allied troops tried to cross the river to the East of Cassino, but were held back by land mines, sniper fire.

Allies eventually gave up to the East and traveled North and crossed the river at a more shallow area.

To completely surround the German Army, the Allies had to cross the Rapido River.

Allied troops tried to cross the river to the East of Cassino, but were held back by land mines, sniper fire.

Allies eventually gave up to the East and traveled North and crossed the river at a more shallow area.

The ascent of Monte Cassino

The ascent of Monte Cassino

Once they crossed the river, the Allies began ascending the steep terrain around Cassino.

By Feb. Allied troops made it within 1000 meters of the monastery at the top of Monte cassino.

After trying to reach the top, Allied troops were forced to retreat after losing too many soldiers to German artillery fire.

Once they crossed the river, the Allies began ascending the steep terrain around Cassino.

By Feb. Allied troops made it within 1000 meters of the monastery at the top of Monte cassino.

After trying to reach the top, Allied troops were forced to retreat after losing too many soldiers to German artillery fire.

http://images.google.com/hosted/life/l?imgurl=cbc9a60fee262b9a&q=monte%20cassino%20rapido%20river&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmonte%2Bcassino%2Brapido%2Briver%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start

%3D21%26um%3D1

Destruction of the Abbey at Monte Cassino

Destruction of the Abbey at Monte Cassino

http://www.ngatoa.com/e107_images/newspost_images/looking_towards_the_ruins_of_the_monastery_at_monte_cassino_italy_circa_1944._photograph_taken_by_l_h_ross..jpg

Phase Two BeginsPhase Two Begins

On Feb. 15, 1944, United States Air Force bombed the Monastery for three hours after receiving information that German troops were inside.

The information proved incorrect, German troops remained mostly unscathed.

Allied troops, who had fled the area to allow for bombing, made their way back to Monte Cassino on newly-flattened terrain.

German troops dug in behind the rubble and prepared for combat.

On Feb. 15, 1944, United States Air Force bombed the Monastery for three hours after receiving information that German troops were inside.

The information proved incorrect, German troops remained mostly unscathed.

Allied troops, who had fled the area to allow for bombing, made their way back to Monte Cassino on newly-flattened terrain.

German troops dug in behind the rubble and prepared for combat.

Before DestructionBefore Destruction

During the BombingDuring the Bombing

http://faculty.cua.edu/pennington/ChurchHistory511/MonteCassino18Cent.jpg

http://6.media.tumblr.com/2KfNZVJctidqry37oDC7ADBoo1_400.png

The Ruins…The Ruins…http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonatwar/2008/11/ruinsmontecassino.jpg

March, 1944March, 1944

After destroying the monastery, Allied troops tried, once again, to get to the top of Monte Cassino.

German troops decimated the Allied troops with sniper and artillery fire from inside their fortifications inside the ruins of the monastery.

Out of 3,200 Allied soldiers, only 840 survived the March attack.

After destroying the monastery, Allied troops tried, once again, to get to the top of Monte Cassino.

German troops decimated the Allied troops with sniper and artillery fire from inside their fortifications inside the ruins of the monastery.

Out of 3,200 Allied soldiers, only 840 survived the March attack.

Second Bombing AttackSecond Bombing Attack

After too many casualties on the ground, the Allied Air Force took over.

On March 14, seven hundred and seventy five (775) Allied aircrafts bombed Cassino and the surrounding areas for four hours.

In total, they dropped 1,250 tons of explosives.

Allied troops waited until the bombing stopped, then stormed Monte Cassino.

After too many casualties on the ground, the Allied Air Force took over.

On March 14, seven hundred and seventy five (775) Allied aircrafts bombed Cassino and the surrounding areas for four hours.

In total, they dropped 1,250 tons of explosives.

Allied troops waited until the bombing stopped, then stormed Monte Cassino.

Allied Victory in SightAllied Victory in Sight

For a month after the March bombing, Allies and German troops were in a stalemate.

Allied reinforcements came in early May to relieve worn out troops.

Fresh Allied troops began to make their way around the southern side of Monte Cassino.

For a month after the March bombing, Allies and German troops were in a stalemate.

Allied reinforcements came in early May to relieve worn out troops.

Fresh Allied troops began to make their way around the southern side of Monte Cassino.

German Troops RetreatGerman Troops Retreat In one final attempt to

surround the Germans, British, French, US, Moroccan and Polish troops moved in a great synchronized sweep around Monte Cassino.

French troops overwhelmed the German Troops and opened a route to Rome.

By May 14, German troops realized they were surrounded, on May 17 they withdrew.

Allied declared victory.

In one final attempt to surround the Germans, British, French, US, Moroccan and Polish troops moved in a great synchronized sweep around Monte Cassino.

French troops overwhelmed the German Troops and opened a route to Rome.

By May 14, German troops realized they were surrounded, on May 17 they withdrew.

Allied declared victory.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3487075.stm

Monte Cassino: TimelineMonte Cassino: Timeline