Kiwis’ Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour

Kiwis’ Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The struggle for Cassino and the bombing of Monte Cassino in early 1944 was one of the most brutal and costly battles involving Kiwi forces during the Second World War. For the 2nd New Zealand Division, this German-held strongpoint southeast of Rome would become the most tragically elusive objective of the entire Italian campaign — a campaign that lasted 18 grueling months, from October 1943 to May 1945. The commander of the New Zealand Corps — a temporary formation that included the 2nd New Zealand Division, the 4th Indian Division, and the British 78th Division — Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, steeled himself and his forces for the difficult battle ahead.

Kiwis’ Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour: bombing Monte Cassino Abbey

Desperate to minimize casualties, Freyberg requested a massive bombardment of the German defenses prior to the assault, including the historic monastery of Monte Cassino, which was mistakenly believed to house a German garrison. The resulting aerial bombardment on 15 February devastated the monastery and the surrounding area. The bombing of Monte Cassino became one of the most infamous and controversial acts in the history of the Second World War in Europe.

Kiwis’ Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour: General Freyberg

This destruction, which Freyberg and his men believed to be a vital precondition for victory, actually proved counterproductive. Most of the German defenders in the Cassino area survived and used the ruins of the town and monastery to create even more formidable defenses. After another heavy bombardment, New Zealand forces fought their way into the devastated town from the north on 15 March. Once again, the Germans put up tenacious resistance from hidden positions amid the rubble that was once Cassino. After eight days of fighting from one shattered building to the next,

Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour for Kiwis: New Zealanders in the Battles of Cassino

Freyberg decided that the cost was proving too high and ordered his troops to halt their attack. Shortly afterward, in early April, the New Zealand Division withdrew from the Cassino area, having suffered 1,600 casualties, including 343 dead. They will be forever remembered for their role in the bombing of the Abbey and the battle for Cassino town — but it is easy to judge now, after 80 years…

The citations of Gallantry during the second and the third Battle of Cassino

Three Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded to there very brave Kiwi soldiers:

DAVID LEWIS Albert William (lance Sergente 7NZ Field Company, NZ Engineers)

MATAIRA,Joseph Whakekura (Sergeant 28 BN, 2NZEF)

WELSH,David Cauldwell (Sergeant 26Bn, 2NZEF)

Kiwis’ Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour: WHAT TO EXPECT

The “Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour for Kiwis“ (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 Kiwis and Maoris most meaningful sites of Cassino:

• Cassino town Center
• Hotel des Roses and Hotel Continental
• The Convent
• Captain Foltin’s cave
• Castle Hill
• Point 165
• The Panoramic Point
• The Germans’ Cave
• Montecassino Abbey
• The Commonwealth War Cemetery

 3) return to the railway station in Cassino at 01.30PM or 05.30PM

Kiwis’ Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THE TOUR

TOUR DURATION: about 3 hours

DEPARTURE 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

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