Contents

Monte Cassino

• Monte Cassino, Lazio Region, Central Italy
• Foreword by the Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, Ivor Caplin MP
• The Background to the Battle for Monte Cassino
• The First Battle of Cassino - (12 January - 9 February 1944)
• Second Battle of Cassino (15-18 February 1944)
• The Bombing of the Monastery
• Third Battle of Cassino - (19 February - 23 March 1944)
• The Fourth Battle of Cassino - (11 May - 5 June 1944)
• Victoria Crosses

Monte Cassino Today

• Cassino War Cemetery
• The Abbey
• British, Canadian, Indian, New Zealand and Polish Army Units who fought in the Battles for Cassino
• Glossary

Monte Cassino

MONTE CASSINO, LAZIO REGION, CENTRAL ITALY

Foreword by the
Under Secretary of State for Defence
and Minister for Veterans, Ivor Caplin MP

'A nation that forgets its past has no future.' These words by Winston Churchill could not be more apt to describe the purpose of this series of booklets, of which this is the second. As Minister for Veterans I believe that we should continue to remember the bravery of our Armed Forces during the Second World War; without their efforts and sacrifices, our lives today would be very different. These booklets will commemorate various Second World War actions, and aim not only to remember and commemorate those who fought and died, but also to inform future generations of the sacrifices made by those who fought. The inspiration that can be derived from their stories will be invaluable for their future. I want to help those growing up now to be aware of the veterans’ sacrifices, and of the important contributions they made to our security and to the way of life we enjoy today. I hope that this series will have relevance beyond these events, and serve as a memento of the 60th anniversary commemorations.

It has been very difficult to select specific campaigns for these booklets, and for this second booklet we have chosen Monte Cassino to represent the war in Italy. This is in no way intended to diminish the importance of the other battles fought in that theatre. This is a tribute to everyone who took part in the operations of the Eighth Army in Italy.

It is difficult for anyone who was not there to comprehend the true nature of these battles. Some of the greatest confrontations with the enemy during the Second World War were fought during the four battles to secure Monte Cassino, the linchpin of the Germans' Gustav Line set up to defend their occupation of Rome. In May 2004, veterans of Monte Cassino and Anzio, along with the relations of soldiers who died there, will be travelling to Southern Italy for a remembrance pilgrimage of the region. It will be a particular honour for me to attend these 60th anniversary commemorations at Monte Cassino and meet the survivors of the four battles, which 'tested the soldiers of every nation and none were found wanting'.

Background to the Battle of Monte Cassino »