![Pope Pius XII [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Wpope-105x150.png)
Pope Pius XII [Public domain]
It had become obvious that the Allies would eventually penetrate the Gustav line at Cassino and that they would also break out from the bridgehead around Anzio. Rome’s fall was inevitable.
The Pope wished to put the Vatican’s neutrality to good use by arranging for Rome to change hands without the street-by-street fighting that was commonplace in so many cities in Eastern Europe.
![Italian soldiers on guard duty in Rome [Bundesarchiv Bild 101l-304-0614-32, wiki]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Wrome-300x200.jpg)
Italian soldiers on guard duty in Rome [Bundesarchiv Bild 101l-304-0614-32, wiki]
![Soviet commander of the 1st Ukrainian Front, Nikolai F. Vatutin, January 1944 [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Wvatutin-102x150.jpg)
Soviet commander of the 1st Ukrainian Front, Nikolai F. Vatutin, January 1944 [Public domain]
However, the struggle for an independent (i.e. self-governing) Ukraine was being fought by Ukrainian partisans, who were fighting the Soviet forces. The partisans had begun fighting the Germans, too, since, despite some early German support, it had become clear that Hitler had no interest in an independent Ukraine.
![Soviet general Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov, Life magazine, 1944 [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Wzhukov-111x150.jpg)
Soviet general Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov, Life magazine, 1944 [Public domain]
He was replaced as commander of the Ukrainian Front by the man who would become the most famous Soviet general of the war: Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov.
![US P-51 Mustang fighters [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Wmustang-300x263.jpg)
US P-51 Mustang fighters [Public domain]
The RAF had previously bombed Leipzig on 19/20 February (and suffered heavy losses in bombers), and the USAAF had already sent, on 20 February, over 1,000 bombers against German industrial targets, particularly aircraft factories. The Americans suffered only light losses because, for the first time in the war, their bombers were escorted by P-51 Mustang long-range fighter planes.
The raids continued for several days, with the USAAF suffering heavier losses on 24 February during raids on the ball-bearing factories in Schweinfurt and an aircraft factory in Gotha.
Following the American daylight raid on Schweinfurt, the RAF attacked the same target again that night. Success was minimal and over 30 British bombers were shot down.
P-51 Mustangs played a major role as bomber escorts for the remainder of the war. Their range was greatly enhanced by the use of external fuel tanks.
![Ruins of Monte Cassino after the bombing [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/WMonteCassino1-300x292.jpg)
Ruins of Monte Cassino after the bombing [Public domain]
General Bernard Freyberg, commander of the New Zealand Corps, had supported the bombing. He was convinced that German soldiers had occupied the abbey and were using it to their advantage.
In truth, Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, the German Commander-in-Chief in Italy, had instructed his troops not to enter the abbey, in fact to not even go to within 300 metres of the buildings. Kesselring had also had also given instructions that the abbey’s ancient manuscripts be moved to the Vatican for safekeeping.
![Statue of San Benedetto in a cloister of the present-day fully restored Monte Cassino Abbey [Author: Pinotto992, Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/WMonteCassino2-300x225.jpg)
Statue of San Benedetto in a cloister of the present-day fully restored Monte Cassino Abbey [Author: Pinotto992, Public domain]
The abbey was rebuilt in the decades following the Second World War and was reconsecrated by Pope Paul VI.
![Italian opera singer Lina Cavalieri (1874--1944), painted by artist Giovanni Boldini (1842--1931) [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Wcavalieri-259x300.jpg)
Italian opera singer Lina Cavalieri (1874–1944), painted by artist Giovanni Boldini (1842–1931) [Public domain]
Lina Cavalieri was born in 1874, orphaned as a girl, and raised by nuns. She ran off and eventually found her way to Paris. She began singing in cafés and music halls and finally decided to train as an opera singer.
In the course of her career, she sang in many well-known opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and she performed opposite many of the famous opera stars of her day, including such greats as Enrico Caruso.
![Street scene in Helsinki after the bombing, 1944 [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/whelsinki2-300x140.jpg)
Street scene in Helsinki after the bombing, 1944 [Public domain]
Two more raids followed later in the month, but the raid on the 6th was the most destructive.
The Finns had suffered air raids during the Winter War in 1939 and their air defenses, which included setting dummy fires in the countryside, were well worked out. Finnish planes (of British and German manufacture) sometimes followed the Soviet planes heading back after the raids and attacked their home bases in Russia.
Finland did not make serious overtures for peace until August—by which time, Romania, too, was looking to end the fighting.
![The siege is over: Citizens of Leningrad paint out a sign warning of the danger of enemy artillery; Leningrad 1944 [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Wleningrad4-300x195.jpg)
The siege is over: Citizens of Leningrad paint out a sign warning of the danger of enemy artillery; Leningrad 1944 [Public domain]
The success came as a result of the new Soviet offensive against the German Army Group North. Over 800,000 Soviet soldiers and sailors (from the Baltic Fleet) took part in the operation, which would last until March and would see Soviet troops enter Estonia.
![Artist Edvard Munch, 1933 [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Wmunch1-105x150.jpg)
Artist Edvard Munch, 1933 [Public domain]
![The Scream (1893) by Edvard Munch (1863--1944) [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Wmunch2-235x300.jpg)
The Scream (1893) by Edvard Munch (1863–1944) [Public domain]
As he evolved as an artist, his work became more violent, emotional, and filled with symbolism. The public was sometimes shocked. His 1892 exhibition in Berlin was closed on the day after opening day. The Scream is his most well-known work.
Throughout the Second World War, Edvard Munch steadfastly refused to collaborate with Norway’s pro-Nazi (Quisling) government.
![British troops bring equipment ashore at Anzio; an American DUKW is floating alongside the jetty; January 1944 [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Wanzio-300x295.jpg)
British troops bring equipment ashore at Anzio; an American DUKW is floating alongside the jetty; January 1944 [Public domain]
That night, the RAF dropped millions of leaflets over Rome, announcing that the city would soon be liberated. (The Allied landing force was only 50 kilometres away.)
Unfortunately, liberation would have to wait. Lucas failed to press inland. Instead, he waited to bring up his armour and artillery. The German Commander-in-Chief in Italy, Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, quickly reorganized his troops and hemmed in the Allied landing force. The anticipated Allied breakout was no longer possible.
![US soldiers carry back wounded after an attempted crossing of the Rapido River, Italy 1944 [Public domain]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Wcassino1-300x225.jpg)
US soldiers carry back wounded after an attempted crossing of the Rapido River, Italy 1944 [Public domain]
The following day, the US II Corps mounted an attack towards the Rapido River and captured Mount Trocchio. The Americans seemed poised to break through the Gustav Line and, from there, to advance on Rome.
