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The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour on the Garigliano River (FEC): HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
“The Frenchs surprised the enemy and quickly seized key Mounts Faito, Cerasola and high ground near Castelforte”
(Mark W. Clark in Calculated risk 1950 p.348)
On the evening of 11 May, long columns of French troops and mules moved along the trails and roads toward the Mount Fuga bridgehead. French General Juin, standing on the roof of the castle at Sessa Aurunca, was nervous. His men were tasked with breaking the Gustav Line, but he knew how difficult the battlefield would be.
The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour (FEC): Operation Diadem starts
At 23:00, the guns roared, and the soldiers sang the Marseillaise or C’est nous les Africains, while the Muslim troops chanted La Allah il Allah. During that night, over 1,000 guns thundered from Cassino to the sea. General Juin had planned the conquest around four key objectives:
- Conquer the Mount Majo massif
- Block the Ausonia road to expand the Allied bridgehead
- Reach the Itri-Pico road
- Capture Pico and prepare to link up with forces advancing toward Frosinone and then Rome
He knew it was vital to assign each specific attack clearly in advance. Therefore, he decided that at H-hour, only two divisions would launch the assault.
The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour (FEC): Generals Dody and Sevez
On the right flank, the 2nd Moroccan Division under General Doddy was tasked with seizing Mounts Faito and Garofallo, then Feuci and Agrifoglio, and finally Mount Majo. On the left, the 4th Mountain Division commanded by General Sevez was to protect the 2nd Division by advancing along the slopes of Mount Faito and the area around Castelforte. General Juin had planned to accomplish all this during the first night, but he was concerned that the rocky terrain of the Aurunci Mountains might prove too difficult for his men. Finally, the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division, led by General De Monsabert, was assigned to attack the Castelforte area on the right flank of the American 5th Division.
The 2d Moroccan Division made the first attack under Major General Dody.
The 8th Moroccan Infantry advanced toward Mount Ornito and Mount Faito, while on the right, the 4th Moroccan Infantry was tasked with securing the slopes of Mount Cerasola and Garofano. The 5th Infantry remained in reserve close to the battlefield. At 23:00 on 11th May, the artillery opened fire on German positions at Mount Faito, Feuci, and Garofano. By 03:00, the summits were fully in French hands, although enemy fire continued from the reverse slopes throughout the following hours.
The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour (FEC): the French in Cerasola hill
The 4th Moroccan Infantry also secured the slopes of Cerasola Hill, but around 00:15, the 1st Battalion came under heavy enemy fire. The following morning, the 5th Moroccan Infantry joined to reinforce and compensate for the heavy losses sustained. The 4th had lost 11 officers and 450 men in just one day of fighting. After reorganizing, at 03:00 on 13th May, the 4th and 5th Moroccan Infantry launched a joint attack and successfully took Mount Garofalo.
The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour (FEC): mount Majo
On the left side, the 8th Moroccan Infantry faced a fierce German counterattack on Mount Faito. General Juin feared his troops might be overwhelmed, but by 15:15 on 12th May, the Germans withdrew. Juin wanted to press the attack immediately, but the soldiers held their positions until 08:00 on 13th May. The following day, Mount Feuci was captured, opening the way to Mount Majo.
At H hour also the 4th Mountain Division was ready on the Aurunci Battlefield
On the left side of the FEC, Major General François Sevez and the 4th Mountain Division awaited their orders to attack. The 6th and 2nd Moroccan Infantry Regiments were tasked with clearing the enemy from the Riva Grande gorge, while the village of Castelforte was assigned to the 4th Tunisian Infantry.At H hour, the 6th Moroccan Infantry moved between Mount Fuga and Mount Turlito, initially holding position to allow the 8th Moroccan Infantry to advance further toward Mount Feuci. Meanwhile, the 3rd Battalion crossed the Lion Bridge, and the 2nd Battalion secured the Damiano ridge. However, the focal point of fighting remained at Castelforte.
The 3rd Algerian Infantry Division on Castelforte Battlefield
In the early afternoon, the 4th Tunisian Infantry had nearly reached the village, while the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division under General Monsabert approached from three different directions to join them. The French forces were relatively secure, as the 88th Division had already reached Ventosa and occupied Mount Cianelli. Despite several German counterattacks, the situation became increasingly desperate for the enemy, and soon Santi Cosma e Damiano and Castelforte were firmly in Allied hands.
End of the battle on the Garigliano Battlefield
By the evening of 14th May, the French had significantly expanded the Garigliano bridgehead and were ready to attack San Giorgio a Liri and Esperia. However, the battlefield was strewn with the dead and wounded. Two very brave groups of the 4th Moroccan Infantry, caught by surprise during the assault on the summit of Mount Cerasola, were tragically burned by German flamethrowers.
The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour (FEC): WHAT TO EXPECT
The “French Expeditionary Corps Grand 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 4 hours of the French most meaningful sites of the Castelforte and Santi Cosma e Damiano sector of the Gustav Line (along the Garigliano River):
- Garigliano River crossing and the French bridges
3) return to the railway station in Cassino at about05.30pm
The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour (FEC): WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS 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
- Payment can be made in cash to your guide during the tour
The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour (FEC): More Tours Available in This Area
Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour on the footstep of French Soldiers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The 56th and 46th Division in the Aurunci Area” Grand Battlefield Tour ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour.
The French Expeditionary Corps Battlefield Tour held by Anna Priora local guide and WWII expert
SKU del prodotto: Guida2
Brand di prodotto: Monte Cassino War Tours
Valuta del prodotto: Eur
Prezzo del prodotto: 150
Prezzo valido fino a: 30-12-2030
Prodotto in magazzino: InStock
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