“Countdown to Cassino” Grand Battlefield Tour HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
On 3rd September the Allied after having invaded Sicily, were on the Italian mainland. The Italian were quite ready to make peace with the Allied and they were ready to re-enter the war this time on the Allied side. After having invaded the south of Italy on 9th September the Allied landed in Salerno and it was planned to send the 5th Army toward Rome. At the beginning the troops involved were Canadians, Americans, British and French, but during the long way to Rome, the Allied faced a very difficult defence in an area called Mignano Gap. Mark Clark The American General in charge of the 5th Army divided the attack to the Winter Line in three actions. First on La Defensa massive, then on Monte Lungo hills and then at San Pietro Infine and Mount Sammucro. It seamed that the days of the battle could not finish and the men lost on the battlefields were so many. The troops were sent further more. They had to conquer San Vittore, Mount la Chiaia and then Colle Cedro, Porchio hill, and at the end, ready to attack the Germans on Trocchio hill, they discovered the Germans were already retreating. In front of the 5th Army there was the so called “Liri Valley”, the town of Cassino and the Abbey of Monte Cassino, but even more important the Gustav Line. And the 4 Battles of Monte Cassino could start!
WWII history is helping us to understand the world!
“Countdown to Cassino” Grand Battlefield Tour: WHAT TO EXPECT
The “Countdown to Cassino” tour (about 6 hours) includes:
1) pickup from your arrival at the railway station in Cassino every day at 10.00am (Main Square, near the Green Kiosk)
2) about 6h30 guided tour of the Canadian most meaningful sites of Cassino:
- San Pietro Infine and the Mignano Gap
- Mount La Chiaia, Porchio Hill, colle Cedro
- Trocchio hill
- Rapido River Crossing and the Peace Bell
- Sant’Angelo in Theodice and the 36th Division Monument
Lunch
- The Commonwealth war cemetery
- Cassino town center
- Castle Hill
- The Panoramic point
- The Germans’ caves
- The Abbey of Montecassino.
3) return to the railway station in Cassino at 05.30pm
“Countdown to Cassino” Grand Battlefield Tour: WHAY YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THE TOUR
WHERE AND WHEN: at the railway station in Cassino every day at 10.00am (Main Square, near the Green Kiosk)
PRICE PER PERSON: 150 euros per person (minimum 2 people)
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Minivan and ww2 tour guide
- 1 hour break for a light lunch on the Hitler line (local cheese and charcuterie board con local white or black wine
GUIDES/LOCAL EXPERTS: I will half this tour.
