Monte Cassino 1944

Monte Cassino, in the Italian Liri Valley, was a hard fought battle in the most rugged terrain and mainly fought in miserable winter weather. The battle lasted for more than four months and by the end of it all 200,000 soldiers had been killed or wounded.

The Allied decision to bomb the sixth Century Benedictine Monastery was not to their advantage for the ruins provided protection for the Germans, who enjoyed a panoramic view from their positions and any advancing Allied forces, whos forces were made up of many nationalities, were at a major disadvantage.

The Germans, although ultimately defeated, had tied down and exhausted the Allies at a critical stage in the war.