FSSF Battlefield Tour

FSSF Battlefield tour: HISTORICAL BACKGROUD

In the first few days of December 1943, after a long march of about 30 km from Presenzano to Mignano Montelungo, the men of the First Special Service Force (FSSF) reached the Torrente Peccia, their starting point to ascend to the top of Camino Mass. The Germans were unaware of the FSSF’s arrival and did not even notice them joining the battle line. A small reconnaissance group from the force had arrived a few days earlier to observe the battlefield and find a route to the summit of Mount La Defensa.

Storming Mount La Defensa: the north side

The best way to attack the top of Mount La Defensa was by hiking up the northern part of the mountain, where the Germans did not expect an assault. This side of the mountain was extremely rocky and steep. The Germans believed that no infantry division could scale Camino Mass from that direction, so they left only a few guards in the area. The Axis forces did not realize that the FSSF was not an ordinary infantry division, but a highly trained special unit of brave men capable of accomplishing feats impossible for others.

The Attack to Mount la Defensa on 2nd December 1943

The attack started on 2nd December. After three hours of heavy fire on the top of the Mass, the Second FSSF Regiment began climbing rocks as high as 80 meters. The men of the Second Regiment were able to reach the summit thanks to Colonel Tom William, Captain William Rothlin, and four simple soldiers named Van Ausdale, Antony Ross, Fenton, and Joe Danphinais. These brave men went ahead of the main battle line and set up ropes to help the rest of the troops climb the mountain.

Joining the top of Mount La Defensa

The first group of 75 men, helped by the already placed ropes and the darkness, reached the top of La Defensa carrying light weapons, while the second group followed with machine guns. Each man was carrying about 50 kg of weapons and equipment because they didn’t know if they would receive any supplies later. The first group was successful because the Germans did not notice their presence on the summit. They penetrated quite deeply into enemy territory until, probably, the Germans heard a helmet fall and realized they were not alone on Mount La Defensa.

The First Regiment fired on Ridge 368

At that point, the sun was rising and the fighting began. Soon after, while fighting bravely, Captain Rothlin was hit in the face by an MP40. By early morning, the top of Mount La Defensa had been liberated. The Allies were very surprised—they had believed such a dangerous operation would take several days. However, the German response was already on its way. On December 3rd, the Germans launched a counterattack, and the First Regiment suffered heavy losses on the slopes of Camino Mass, particularly at point 368.

Cleaning Mount Sammucro

Around December 15th, 1943, the Allies held key positions on Mount Cesime, Cannaville, Sammucro, Corno, and Santa Croce. From these vantage points, it was easy for them to control the surrounding areas of Monte Majo and La Radicosa. For this reason, after securing Mount La Defensa, the FSSF was tasked with liberating Hill 720 and the western side of Sammucro, very close to the Casilina Road.

The Germans on Mount Sammucro

The Germans held the summit, equipped with 80mm and 120mm machine guns, allowing them to effectively target San Pietro, the Casilina Road, and the surrounding areas. After a brief rest period near Venafro, Colonel Frederick and the 5th Army began planning a new assault: the 36th Division would advance from the north, supported by the men of the 504th Patashute Infantry Regiment and the Ranger.

FSSF Battlefield Tour: Hill 720

The First Regiment was chosen for this task, while the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was assigned to clear Hill 684, where the Germans had numerous machine guns aimed at Hill 720. To reach the summit of Sammucro, the forces once again faced very steep cliffs, but this time they were unopposed. The real fighting was planned for the descent toward Hill 720. The attack began on December 22nd, with the objective to reach Hill 720 by the 23rd. However, due to poor radio communication, the troops halted for 24 hours in the area of Colle Masenardi, a well-concealed field where the men dug foxholes and prepared for the next phase.

FSSF Battlefield Tour: fighting on Christmas day

During the initial bombing, the Germans began targeting the summit of Sammucro Mountain and the bivouac area. However, the First Service Special Force was prepared. The main attack commenced at sunrise on December 25th. During the night of the 24th to 25th, patrols from the First Regiment began moving down toward Hill 720. Although some men encountered German patrols, they managed to avoid detection. Having reached their positions early on Christmas Day, the assault was launched promptly.

First Special Service Force on the Winter Line

On the south side of Hill 720, a German MG 42 machine gun opened fire on the Force men, but one of them managed to throw a grenade and eliminate all the Germans in the nest. After a few hours, with support from the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the FSSF successfully liberated Hill 720. During this attack, around 80 men were wounded or killed, but the link between the 45th “Thunderbird” Division in the Venafro area and the 36th Division in the San Pietro area was now established.

Conquering Mount Majo

The FSSF casualties from 1 December to 8 December — just eight days — were very high: 73 dead, 429 wounded, and 9 missing soldiers. On 4 January 1944, a very special war reporter was on the First Special Service Force’s battlefield: Robert Capa. He took many photos of the area and the soldiers. I’ll share some of these incredible pictures with you!

FSSF Battlefield tour: WHAT TO EXPECT

The “”FSSF Battlefield tour” (about 6 hours) includes:

1) pickup from your arrival at the railway station in Cassino everyday at 10.00AM (Main Square, near the Green Kiosk)

2) about 6h guided tour of the most meaningful sites of the Winter Defensive Line:

• Mignano gap and Mignano Montelungo Village
• Mignano Montelungo Town hall and FSSF markers
• FSSF marker on ridge 368
• Venafro Cemetery

Break for a light lunch

• Le Noci hamlet
• Ceppagna Hamlet
• Hill 720 FSSF plaque
• La Radicosa hamlet and Robert Capa
• Domenico Matteo story

3) return to the railway station in Cassino at about 05.00PM

FSSF Battlefield tour: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THE TOUR

TOUR DURATION: about 6 hours

DEPARTURE TIME: Daily at 10.00AM

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

FSSF Battlefield Tour: More Tours Available in This Area