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Line 14:
Line 14: − On February 15, 1944, during the final stage of [[World War II]] Monte Cassino was in the firing line between two armies. In three hours was reduced to a heap of debris and cinders.+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
→The Battle of Monte Casino, World War II: four assualts between feb & may
== The Battle of Monte Casino, World War II ==
== The Battle of Monte Casino, World War II ==
[[Image:Montecassino2_map.gif |right|350px|thumb|Battle of Monte Cassino]]
[[Image:Montecassino2_map.gif |right|350px|thumb|Battle of Monte Cassino]]
== The Battle of Monte Casino, World War II ==
[[Image:Monstry.gif|right|2000px|thumb|Abbey Montecassino in 1944.]]
The Allies had two main objectives: (1) To draw the Germans away from the Anzio beach-head, and then (2) To drive quickly towards Rome.
The Allies had twenty-one divisions and eleven brigades opposing fourteen German divisions and three brigades.
German casualties, caused by the attack on March 15th and the heavy artillery fire, have been severe. A March 23rd diary entry of a high ranking XIV Corps officer states that the post-battle strength of the battalions engaged varied from 40 to 120 men.
The fourth and final assault on Monte Cassino resulted in an Allied victory, but only because the Allies decided to overwhelm the Germans through sheer weight of numbers. Simultaneously, the Germans had weakened their positions prior to the battle by withdrawing some troops to France.
The breakthrough at Cassino meant that the Allies were able (within a week's time) to join up with the Anzio beach head and then to capture Rome.
The ancient monastery ad been reduced to cinders and rubble. The Abbey was rebuilt in the following decade according to the ancient architectural pattern.