Monte Cassino Tour for New Zealanders

Monte Cassino Tour for New Zealanders: HISTORICAL BACKGROUD

The official announcement of Britain’s declaration of war reached Wellington eight minutes before midnight on 3 September. Shortly before 2 a.m. on 4 September, New Zealand informed London of its own declaration of war. New Zealand was one of the first democratic nations to enter the Second World War alongside Britain, Australia, and France. After a few days of neutrality, Canada and South Africa would also join them.

Monte Cassino Tour for New Zealanders

The New Zealand Division that landed in Taranto was not the same as the one that had fought in North Africa until May 1943. Many soldiers had been killed or wounded in Africa, and so the men who arrived in Italy were much younger and had less combat experience. However, they quickly learned the dangers of the Italian battlefield and soon became hardened veterans. From November to December 1943, during the battles of the Sangro River and Orsogna on the Adriatic coast, the Kiwis suffered 1,600 dead and wounded.

Battlefield Tours for New Zealanders: the 2 New Zealand Division and the 4th Indian Division

At the end of January 1944, General Alexander ordered the 2nd New Zealand Division and the 4th Indian Division to leave the 8th Army on the Adriatic front and join the 5th Army in the Liri Valley. General Clark combined these two divisions into the New Zealand Corps and sent them into battle as soon as possible. Everyone knew that the Monte Cassino battlefield would be extremely difficult to break through, so the only solution was to bring in French troops to support the attack.

Battlefield Tours for New Zealanders: two different syncronized attacks

The New Zealand generals were deeply concerned as they faced the inevitable task of organizing a New Zealand-led attack on the Monte Cassino battlefield. As part of the New Zealand Corps, they had expected to advance through a gap that American forces were supposed to open, linking up with other Allied forces that had landed at Anzio, north of Cassino, in a push toward Rome. However, the American offensive failed. General Freyberg was determined to carefully plan his attack, having learned from the bloody failure of the previous American assaults.

Battlefiend tours for Kiwis

He devised a two-pronged strategy: while the 4th Indian Division attacked north of the town, where the Americans had made limited gains, the New Zealanders would aim to capture the railway station and two other nearby strategic positions.

Battlefield Tours for New Zealanders: the bombing of Montecassino Abbey

The troops believed that the Germans were using the monastery of Monte Cassino as an observation point. As a result, the Indian divisional commander suggested its destruction, and General Freyberg agreed. On 15 February, the monastery was obliterated by massive bombing raids. In reality, the Germans had never used the monastery as an observation post—but after the bombing, they turned the ruins into a strong defensive position.As soon as darkness fell on 17 February, several hundred Māori infantrymen advanced along the causeway. For a general idea of the Battle have a look here

Battlefield Tours for New Zealanders: the 28 Maori Battalion at Cassino Railway station

By 2 a.m., the Cassino railway station was in Māori hands. Smoke was laid down to conceal the Māori troops as they waited for reinforcements under the cover of darkness, but they endured uncomfortable hours under mortar fire. By late afternoon, their position had become untenable as German tanks and infantry launched a concentrated counter-attack. The Māori were forced to withdraw from the station and retreat across the causeway. General Freyberg was then compelled to prepare a new attack, using a different approach on the same Cassino battlefield.

The citations of gallantry during the tour Battles of Cassino

The Military Cross was awarded to junior officers and senior non-commissioned officers for courage and devotion to duty. Over 250 Military Crosses were awarded to Kiwis during the Second World War. Non-commissioned officers could also receive the Distinguished Conduct Medal, one of the Army’s highest honors for bravery and distinguished conduct on the battlefield. During the four battles of Cassino, four Kiwis were recognized: one received the Military Cross, and three were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Battlefield Tours for New Zealanders: WHAT TO EXPECT

The “Monte Cassino Battlefield tour for New Zealanders” (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 British most meaningful sites of Cassino:

5 Brigade headquarter next to the Gustav Line

28 Battalion headquarter next to the Liri Valley

36 Survey Battery position

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

Battlefield Tours for New Zealanders: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS 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

Monte Cassino Battlefield Tours for Kiwis: More Tours Available in This Area

Maoris Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kiwis’ Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐