Countdown to Cassino Battlefield Tour

Countdown to Cassino Battlefield Tour: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Countdown to Cassino Battlefield Tour

On September 3rd, after having invaded Sicily, the Allies landed on the Italian mainland. The Italians were already prepared to make peace with the Allies and were ready to re-enter the war — this time on the Allied side.Following the invasion of southern Italy, the Allies landed at Salerno on September 9th. The plan was to send the 5th Army toward Rome. Initially, the forces involved included Canadians, Americans, British, and French troops. However, on the long road to Rome, the Allies encountered fierce resistance in an area known as the Mignano Gap. General Mark Clark, the American commander of the 5th Army, divided the assault on the Winter Line into three separate actions.

Monte Cassino tour for Canadians

On September 3rd, after invading Sicily, the Allies landed on the Italian mainland. The Italians were already prepared to make peace with the Allies and were ready to rejoin the war — this time on the Allied side. Following the invasion of southern Italy, the Allies landed at Salerno on September 9th. The plan was to push the 5th Army toward Rome. Initially, the forces involved included Canadian, American, British, and French troops. However, along the difficult road to Rome, the Allies faced fierce resistance in an area known as the Mignano Gap. General Mark Clark, the American commander of the 5th Army, divided the assault on the Winter Line into three separate operations.

Monte Cassino Tour

While “C” and “B” Squadrons were making slow but steady progress, the 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Calgary Regiment) had done much to relieve the pressure on their supporting infantry brigade. On May 12, 1944, a Canadian captain named Hugh Antony Gault Kingsmill developed a new experimental Bailey bridge. He was part of the 1st Light Aid Detachment, attached to the 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment, and worked in collaboration with a Royal Engineer officer from the 8th Indian Division.

Countdown to Cassino Battlefield Tour

Captain Kingsmill had the innovative idea of constructing the Plymouth Bridge in a very unusual and rapid way. He built a Bailey bridge well back from the riverbank and then transported it forward using two specially adapted Sherman tanks. The first tank had its turret removed and was fitted with rollers to allow the bridge to move freely forward and backward.

Monte Cassino Tour for Canadians

The second tank was fitted with a bracket that supported the rear end of the bridge. The two tanks moved forward together — the front tank driving into the water, while the second tank continued to push the bridge forward until it came to rest on the far bank. The second tank would then disengage, and the bridge would be ready for use.

Countdown to Cassino Battlefield Tour

Many experiments had already been carried out on the Volturno River, and all had been successful. But in this case, the operation was very unfortunate. First, mist and smoke delayed the delivery of the bridging supplies. Then, when the bridge and the two tanks were finally ready, the first tank — carrying the front section of the bridge — became bogged down in the soft ground. Working under constant heavy fire and in completely adverse conditions, it took considerable time to position the bridge correctly.

Countdown to Cassino Battlefield Tour

By 9:50 a.m., under cover of smoke and high-explosive fire, the bridge was successfully put into position. The enemy was holding ground just 250 yards from the bridging site, and under such conditions, no other type of tank-bearing bridge could have been launched across a gap of 57 feet. Because of his direct contribution to the breaching of the Gustav Line, Captain Kingsmill was awarded the Military Cross — the third highest decoration for British or Commonwealth officers, after the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Service Order.

Countdown to Cassino Battlefield Tour: WHAT TO EXPECT

 The “Countdown to Cassino” tour (about 6 hours) includes:

1) Pickup from the railway station in Cassino every day at 10:00 AM (Main Square, near the Green Kiosk)

2) A guided tour lasting approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes 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 Battlefield Tour: WHAY YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT

TOUR DURATION: about 6 hours

DEPARTURE TIME: Daily at 10.00 AM

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: 150 euros (minimum 2 people)

PAYMENT:

• No advance payment required
• You can do the payment during the tour cash to your Guide

Countdown to Cassino Battlefield Tour: More Tours Available in This Area

 The “Battle for Rome” Grand Tour ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐