Battle of Monte Cassino
Monte Cassino, Kingdom of Italy
What happened
Allied commanders Harold Alexander, Mark Clark, Bernard Freyberg and Władysław Anders, leading troops from the United States, Britain, India, New Zealand, Poland, Canada, France and other nations, fought the German army of Albert Kesselring and Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin. In 1944 the Germans held a strong defensive line across Italy, called the Gustav Line, and the hilltop abbey of Monte Cassino overlooked the road to Rome. The Allies attacked four times between January and May, and on 15 February Allied bombers destroyed the ancient abbey, after which German paratroopers moved into the ruins. On 18 May a Polish patrol raised a flag over the ruins, and the German line soon collapsed.
Why it matters
Result: Allied victory. Leaders: Harold Alexander / Oliver Leese against Albert Kesselring / H. Vietinghoff. Why it matters: The victory opened the road to Rome but at a very high cost. The bombing of the abbey, which later accounts found the Germans had not used before the attack, is still debated.
What came next
Rome was captured in early June 1944. The abbey was rebuilt after the war, and Pope Paul VI consecrated the new basilica in 1964.
Did you know?
The Abbey of Monte Cassino was founded around 529 by Saint Benedict and has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in its long history.
Timeline
- c. 529Saint Benedict founds the abbey of Monte Cassino.
- 17 January 1944The first Allied assault begins.
- 15 February 1944Allied bombers destroy the abbey.
- 18 May 1944A Polish patrol raises a flag over the ruins.
- 24 October 1964Pope Paul VI consecrates the rebuilt basilica.