Monte Cassino. 1944

This Casemate Illustrated title explores the battle of Monte Cassino. To get to Rome, the Allies needed to break through the Winter and Gustav Lines, and in early 1944 they came up against the positions established by the Germans around the historic hilltop abbey of Monte Cassino. Commander General Clark codenamed the assault Operation Raincoat, and after heavy artillery the German army was pushed back to the Gustav Line. Allied strength was increased to 18 divisions (five British, five Commonwealth, one Polish, five American and two French), and preparation for the first battle began. Between January and May, Monte Cassino and the Gustav defenses were assaulted four times, and in May, the final assault saw Monte Cassino eventually captured. This highly illustrated book has over 100 images and profiles illustrating the tanks and mortars of both the Germans and Allies, as well as several maps.