Table of Contents
45th Division Battlefield tour: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
By the time of the landing at Salerno, the Allies had realized that the Germans controlled the high ground. It was not easy to advance on the road to Rome, so General Mark Clark asked for reinforcements. General Troy Middleton, leading the Thunderbird Division, requested food and munitions to withstand the expected German attacks. On September 14, 1943, the German assaults began, but they did not push much further, and the Allies held their ground. On September 16th, the American and British forces linked up. By December 7, 1943, the 45th Division had established its headquarters in the Venafro area and was ordered to seize a mountain known as “640.”
BG McLain and LTG Mark Clark, Venafro.
SC 187499 and 187500, Credit NARA.
Only 15 days later, on January 10, 1944, the 45th Division was relieved of its position on the Winter Line by French troops known as the Goums, who came from Morocco. The 45th Division then retreated to a rest camp near Naples to recover for two weeks before being ordered to land again at Anzio.
“During prayer, the flag is lowered at outdoor Christmas Day services conducted by Lt. Aloysis S. Carney, Jersey City, New Jersey, at Headquarters of 120th Medical Clearing Co.”
Venafro Area.
Photo by Lapidus, 163rd Signal Photo Company. SC 186785, Credit NARA.
45th Division Battlefield tour: WHAT TO EXPECT
The “45th Division Battlefield tour“ (about 3 hours) includes:
1) Pickup from the railway station in Cassino every day at 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM (Main Square, near the Green Kiosk)
2) A guided tour lasting approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes of the 45th Division most meaningful sites of Cassino:
- place where the Christmas mass was celebrated in Venafro area
- where the soldiers had their Thanksgiving dinner on 1943
3) return to the railway station in Cassino at 01.30PM or 05.30PM
45th Division Battlefield tour: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THE TOUR
TOUR DURATION: about 3 hours
DEPARTUR TIME: Daily at 10.00AM and 02.00PM
MEETING POINT: Cassino Railway Station (Main Square, near the Green Kiosk)
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- Professional WW2 Guidance
- Transportation
- Donation to the monastery
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: Lunch and dinner are not included
PRICE PER PERSON: 90 euros
PAYMENT:
- No advance payment required
- You can do the payment during the tour cash to your Guide
