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| The '''Battle of ]''' was, in fact, a costly series of battles fought by the ] |
The '''Battle of ]''' (also known as '''Battle for Rome''') was, in fact, a costly series of battles fought by the ] with the intention of breaking through the ], seizing ] and linking up with allied forces contained within the ]. | ||
| The first battle started on ], 1944 and the ] atop the hill was destroyed by Allied bombing on ]. Allies aircraft heavily bombed the ruins of the monastery and staged an assault on ]. | |||
| But the battle at Monte Cassino waged on until ] when exhausted Germans evacuated the stronghold and Allied forces moved in. At least 20,000 soldiers were killed in the battle. | |||
| During three failed attempts to take the heavily-guarded monastery of ] (]-], ]-], ]-]), the forces of ], ], ] and ] lost approximately 54.000 men yet did not manage to seize the city or the castle overlooking the Rapido river valley. | |||
| So called '''Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino''' was fought by polish ] under gen. ] (]-]). First assault (]-]) brought heavy losses but also allowed the british 8 Army (gen. ]) to break through german lines in the ] valley below the monastery. | |||
| Second assault (]-] pushed the german 1st Para Division out of its' positions on the hills surrounding the monastery and the latter got almost surrounded. In the early morning of ] a recce group of polish 12th ] ] ] seized the ruins. | |||
| The eventual connection of the forces was to lead to the capture of ] on ] ] just days before the invasion in ]. | |||
Revision as of 07:08, 10 December 2003
History -- Military history -- List of battles -- World War II
The Battle of Monte Cassino (also known as Battle for Rome) was, in fact, a costly series of battles fought by the Allies with the intention of breaking through the Gustav Line, seizing Rome and linking up with allied forces contained within the Anzio pocket.
The first battle started on January 4, 1944 and the monastery atop the hill was destroyed by Allied bombing on February 15. Allies aircraft heavily bombed the ruins of the monastery and staged an assault on March 15.
During three failed attempts to take the heavily-guarded monastery of Monte Cassino (January 17-25, february 15-18, march 15-25), the forces of USA, UK, India and New Zealand lost approximately 54.000 men yet did not manage to seize the city or the castle overlooking the Rapido river valley.
So called Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino was fought by polish 2nd Polish Corps under gen. Wladyslaw Anders (may 11-19). First assault (may 11-12) brought heavy losses but also allowed the british 8 Army (gen. sir Oliver Leese) to break through german lines in the Liri river valley below the monastery.
Second assault (may 17-19 pushed the german 1st Para Division out of its' positions on the hills surrounding the monastery and the latter got almost surrounded. In the early morning of may 18 a recce group of polish 12th Podolian Uhlans Regiment seized the ruins.
The eventual connection of the forces was to lead to the capture of Rome on June 4 1944 just days before the invasion in Normandy.