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Hitler Line assault battlefield tour for Canadians: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
On 15 May, the First Canadian Corps was ordered to move to the left flank of the 13th to relieve the Indian troops at sunrise on 16 May and to advance until the Hitler Line. The tired Indian troops were covered by darkness when the First Canadian Infantry Brigade arrived at Pignataro. On the morning of 17 May, the 3rd and 1st Brigades attacked the Cassino-Pignataro road. After a long day of resistance, by nightfall the troops were not far from Le Forme d’Aquino.
Crossing the Hitler line: the first obstacle in Forme d’Aquino
Forme D’Aquino was, and still is, a deep transverse gully running between the Gari River (known by the Allies as the Rapido River) and the Melfa River, posing a significant obstacle for tanks. However, because French troops on the left flank and Polish soldiers on the right flank were completely successful, the First Parachute Division retreated along Highway No. 6. On the 18th, the 1st and 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigades advanced without trouble. The soldiers were very surprised not to encounter strong resistance in the gully, and by the afternoon they were about one mile short of the Aquino-Pontecorvo Road.
Hitler Line assault battlefield tour: the Germans are ready
The Allies discovered too late that the enemy was prepared to stop them again at the Hitler Line (take a look here at how the Germans built this defensive line). On 19 May, soldiers of the 78th British Division, supported by tanks from the Ontario Regiment, launched a swift attack on the village of Aquino, believing the defending forces might be disorganized. However, the Germans were ready and managed to destroy 13 Ontario tanks, crippling the rest. On 20 May, General Burns ordered preparations for the breaking of the Hitler Line and the clearing of Ceprano within the next three days.
Hitler Line assault battlefield tour: “Operation Chesterfield” started
To soften the strongpoint and support the Allied soldiers, 400 guns fired on all known defensive positions for 72 hours, while very brave Canadian patrols scouted the best tank routes and captured prisoners. From one of the prisoners, Canadian Intelligence learned that the 90th Panzer Grenadier Division was concentrated in this area. On the left flank, the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, the 1st Brigade, and the 48th Highlanders encountered strong resistance.
Canadian Battlefield tour in the Liri Valley: “Operation Chesterfield”
At 5 o’clock on 23 May, 800 guns began firing on the German lines, and one hour later the soldiers crossed the start line. The 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigades advanced toward fields and barbed wire. However, the main attack was focused on the 2nd Brigade on the right flank. By mid-morning, the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada had joined the Aquino-Pontecorvo Road at all costs, while on the right, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry faced a terrible storm of fire.
Operation Chesterfield: breaking the Hitler Line
The battle was more favorable to the 3rd Brigade on the left flank. One hour after the assault began, the Carleton and York Regiment had opened a path for the 51st Royal Tank Regiment and was soon joined by the West Nova Scotia Regiment. General Vokes decided to reinforce the 3rd Brigade with two squadrons from the Three Rivers Regiment and the Royal 22nd Regiment. Meanwhile, the 1st Brigade and the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards cleared Pontecorvo, but Aquino remained in German hands.
Hitler Line assault battlefield tour for Canadians: a successful “Operation Chesterfield”
The First Canadian Division lost 51 officers and 838 men, but the heaviest losses fell on the 2nd Brigade, which was reduced to just 150 men. The 25th Tank Brigade lost 60 tanks, including 41 of the famous Churchill tanks of the North Irish Horse. The Allies took 700 prisoners, and many hundreds of German soldiers were killed.
Hitler Line assaultbattlefield tour for Canadians: WHAT TO EXPECT
The “Hitler Line assault” battlefield tour for Canadians (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 3 hours and 30 minutes of the Canadian most meaningful sites of the Hitler Line:
- Commonwealth cemetery in Cassino Area
- Forme d’Aquino transverse gully
- Monument dedicated to the Canadians and Germans died on 23 May 1944
- The German defences
- Monument dedicated to the Governor General’s Horse Guard Regiment in Aquino
- German Bunker inside in village
- Signs of the battle still existing on the walls of Aquino village
3) return to the railway station in Cassino at 01.30PM or 05.30PM
Hitler Line assault or “Operation Chesterfield” battlefield tour for Canadians: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THE TOUR
WHEN AND WHERE : At the railway station in Cassino every day at 10.00am or 02.00pm (Main Square, near the Green Kiosk)
WHAT IS INCLUDED: Minivan and ww2 tour guide
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: Lunch and dinner are not included.
PRICE PER PERSON: 90 euros (lunch or dinner not included)
LANGUAGES: English and French
GUIDES/LOCAL EXPERTS: I will held this tour.
Monte Cassino Battlefield Tours for Canadians: More Tours Available in This Area
“Melfa River crossing” battlefield tour for Canadians ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hitler Line assault battlefield tour for Canadians
Hitler Line assault battlefield tour for Canadians held by Anna Priora ww2 esperti and local tour guide. Price per person
SKU del prodotto: Hitler1
Brand di prodotto: Monte Cassino War Tours
Valuta del prodotto: Eur
Prezzo del prodotto: 90
Prezzo valido fino a: 30-12-2030
Prodotto in magazzino: InStock
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