Name: Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for British
Brand: Monte Cassino War Tour
SKU: British1
Price: 90 Eur
Availability: InStock

Table of Contents

Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for British: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

During the Second Battle of Cassino, with the arrival of the Kiwi forces, other uniquely dressed soldiers also arrived in the Liri Valley. They were the Indians, sent by Churchill to assist the British troops. About 20% of them were Sikhs, coming from the northern areas of the country and wearing their turbans instead of British helmets.

Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for British: the Gustav Line

They arrived in Cassino for the first time in February 1944, and it was easy to recognize them by their insignia, which featured a Red Eagle. Speaking about the British troops is impossible without mentioning the Red Eagles, because they had British officers, were organized into divisions, and each division included a brigade formed by British soldiers. Therefore, the Kiwi and Indian contributions to the history of Monte Cassino are closely connected with the British.

Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for British

That’s why, alongside the Rajputana, Punjabi, and Gurkha soldiers, we also remember the actions of several UK battalions, such as the Royal Sussex, the Cameron Highlanders, and the Essex Regiment. The general in charge of all of them was Freyberg. During the Second Battle of Monte Cassino, Freyberg ordered the soldiers of the Royal Sussex to join Snake’s Head Ridge and Point 593, to relieve the 34th Division, which was exhausted after days of bloody fighting.

The British on Castle Hill

Only a few days after taking over the Abbey area, Tuker had to leave the battlefield to join the hospital in Caserta, and Demoline became the temporary general in charge. After the bombing of the Abbey, Freyberg believed that the best way to reach the Abbey was by attacking Castle Hill and holding it for nine days with some soldiers of the Essex Regiment. After many days of fighting without success, on 23rd March Freyberg ordered the 4th Indian Division to retreat.

The 78th Division crossing the Rapido River on the Amazon Bridge (the Battleaxe Division)

Some weeks later, during the final Battle of Monte Cassino, UK General Oliver Leese ordered the 78th Division to attack the Liri Valley and cross the Rapido River. It was difficult for the soldiers to cross it again, and the 78th was successful only during the night between the 14th and 15th of May. However, their greatest success was the crossing of the river by building a Bailey bridge called the Amazon Bridge in the early morning of May 12th.