This week in the War, 15–21 May 1944: Poles capture ruins of Monte Cassino abbey

Sketch of the Monte Cassino battlefield drawn for the HQ of the 2nd Polish Corps [Public domain]

Sketch of the Monte Cassino battlefield drawn for the HQ of the 2nd Polish Corps [Public domain]

This week in the war, on 18 May 1944, the Polish 12th Podolski Regiment assaulted and captured the ruins of the Benedictine abbey at Monte Cassino. The Gustav line, which had held up the Allies for months, had already been breached at many points in the southern sector.

Photograph that appeared in 'Yank, the Army Weekly' showing a monk guiding two soldiers over the ruins of Monte Cassino abbey [Public domain]

Photograph that appeared in ‘Yank, the Army Weekly’ showing a monk guiding two soldiers over the ruins of Monte Cassino abbey [Public domain]

Fearing that his troops may be cut off from the rear, Kesselring ordered his his forces to withdraw. (The German parachutists were already withdrawing from Monte Cassino, itself.)

After a prolonged effort on the part of the Allies—including Americans, Australians, British, Canadians, Free French, Indians, New Zealanders, Poles, and South Africans—the road to Rome lay open.

 

 

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