Name: Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour for Poles
Brand: Monte Cassino war tours
SKU: 90
Price: 90 Eur
Availability: InStock

Table of Contents

Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for Poles: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for Poles: why they were in Cassino Area

When I work as a tour guide on the World War II battlefield of Monte Cassino, people sometimes ask me why the Poles took part in the battle and what they did. The Battle of Monte Cassino is very well known to the Polish people because it is one of the most notable episodes of the Second World War marked by bravery and success. In every article or book about the Italian Campaign, there are always a few lines dedicated to Monte Cassino and the events that took place here 73 years ago. The Italian Campaign lasted from July 1943 to May 1945.

Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for Poles: the arriving of the II Polish Corps

The Allied forces landed in Sicily and were successful because German reinforcements arrived too late. The Polish II Corps did not take part in the Sicilian operation because, in July–August 1943, they were still stationed in the Middle East. When the Allies landed in Italy, the Americans advanced toward Cosenza and Naples, while the British moved east to Taranto, Foggia, and Termoli. German tactics were clear: their goal was to slow the Allies down and inflict the maximum number of casualties. The II Corps began arriving in Italy at the end of December 1943. However, their first experience of sunny Italy began in mud and snow.

Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for Poles: the II Polish Corps in South Italy

Base camps were established near Bari and Brindisi, far from the front lines but still subjected to heavy rain and snow. The transfer from Egypt to Italy took several weeks, and integration into the British Eighth Army was difficult. The British Eighth Army was like a collage. In Africa, it was mainly made up of British, Indian, and Commonwealth regiments, but in Sicily the “Free French” were added, among whom the largest groups were Algerians, Moroccans, Madagascans, and even Tahitians. The Poles were also familiar with multi-ethnic forces, as their own units included Poles, Belarusians, Jews, and Lithuanians.

The Polish Corps in Monte Cassino area: General Anders army

General Władysław Anders commanded 15–20 percent of the strength of the British Eighth Army. Among the twenty divisions that participated in the Italian Campaign, three were from governments-in-exile based in London: the French Expeditionary Corps with 112,000 men, the Polish II Corps with 55,000 men, and the 3rd Greek Mountain Brigade with 18,000, assigned to the British 13th Corps. It is also important to remember that the Poles shared a significant challenge with the Canadians: both had to participate in the war without being represented at the strategic conferences. All major decisions were made by the “Big Three” — America, the UK, and the Soviet Union.

General Anders and his men are asked to fight in Cassino area

General Leese, commander of the Eighth Army, asked Anders on 24 March 1944 if the II Corps could participate in the upcoming battle. Although Anders knew his men were still too weak to fight, he also understood that declining would seriously damage the reputation of the Polish Corps. When he arrived near Cassino, he already had extensive information about what had happened there and the mistakes the Allies had made.

General Wladyslaw Anders’ words

On 11 May 1944, General Wladyslaw Anders issued his Order of the Day:
“Soldiers!
The moment for the battle has arrived. We have long awaited the day of revenge and retribution over our hereditary enemy. Shoulder to shoulders, will fight British, American, Canadian and New Zealand divisions, together with French, Italian and Indian troops. The task assigned to us will cover with glory the name of the Polish soldier all over the world. At this moment, the thoughts and hearts of our whole nation are with us. Trusting in the Justice of Divine Providence, we go forward with the sacred call in our hearts: God, Honour, Country”

Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for Poles: the attack to Monte Cassino Abbey.

While two British corps were to surge forward on either side of them, and the I Canadian Corps had to cross the Liri Valley, the Poles were tasked with taking Monastery Hill by frontal attack. The first Polish assault on 12 May was unsuccessful, but in the early hours of 18 May, when elements of the 78th British Division joined the Polish unit, a red and white flag was raised above the ruins. At midday, Master Corporal Emil Czech raised his bugle to sound “St. Mary’s Trumpet Call” to signal the victory. The telegram General Władysław Anders sent to his Commander-in-Chief, General Sosnkowski, was very clear: “…Victory due to the heroism of soldiers…”

Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for Poles: joining the Hitler Line

On 25 May, Polish units broke through the Gustav Line at Piedimonte San Germano. But from this point, another story begins—one your tour guide will tell you when you visit us. The Poles hold a special place in the history of Cassino. The 2nd Polish Corps, numbering about 50,000 men—all of whom had a long and dangerous journey behind them, starting in Siberia and ending in Europe—played a crucial role.

Thanks to War Memories-Memorie di Guerra for the old pictures