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​bigpigeon.us webpage WWII Germany  > The MTO > Italy > Cassino #2 & #3, © 2024 by Robert A. Christiansen, updated by RAC 27 Jun 2024
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In February and March 1944, the New Zealand Corps made two unsuccessful attempts to capture Monte Cassino.

The Second and Third Battles of Monte Cassino

Both the Second and Third Battles of Monte Cassino were fought in the area shown on the accompanying map.

Timeline (being developed)
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The Destruction of Monte Cassino Monastery

  • At the insistence of some leading Allied officers, American aircraft destroyed the historic Monte Cassino Abbey on February 15, killing around 240 civilians but no Germans.
  • It was later learned that the German army had observed the terms of an agreement not to use the abbey. However, after the destruction, the abbey ruins made excellent positions for the German defenders.
Monte Cassino Abbey After the American Bombing
Monte Cassino Abbey After the American Bombing of 15 February 1944
After the abbey bombing, the Second Battle of Monte Cassino began on the evening of 15 February.

It was planned that the 4th Indian Division would attack from the mountains northeast of the Monte Cassino abbey, while the 2nd New Zealand Division would attack from the flooded lowlands southeast of the city of Cassino.

Neither prong of the Allied attack succeeded. On 18 February, the attack was cancelled, and the New Zealand Corps was augmented by the addition of the British 78th Infantry Division.

The Third Battle of Monte Cassino


             ██  Pottawattamie Area WWII Dead - WWII Germany > The MTO > Italy > Cassino #2 & #3  ██
  • Few Americans died during the Second and Third Battles of Monte Cassino.
 
​                                                    ██   Allied Order of Battle - Cassino #2 and #3   ██
 ⏶ New Zealand Corps (Freyberg) - created 3 February 1944; relieved US II Corps of responsibility for Cassino offensive operations 12 February 1944; conducted 2nd and 3rd Battles of Monte Cassino; disbanded 26 March 1944
  • 2nd New Zealand Division - from British XIII Corps 3 February 1944; to British X Corps 26 March 1944
  • 4th Indian Infantry Division - from British Eighth Army reserve 6 February 1944; to British V Corps 26 March 1944
  • British 78th Infantry Division - from British V Corps 18 February 1944; to British XIII Corps 26 March 1944

 
           ██  Sources for Big Pigeon's WWII Germany > The MTO > Italy > Cassino #2 and #3 webpage  ██
  • none at this time