Monte cassino, the hardest fought battle of world war ii by matthew parker first anchor edition, may 2005 414 pages with maps and pictures my son loaded me up with books from my wish list for christmas 2011 and i finally got around to reading the last one around christmas time 2012. In its pure awfulness it stands comparison with any other battle of the italian campaign. With nearly four hundred thousand copies in print around the world, this is the bestselling and most respected account of the sixmonth battle for monte cassino britain and americas bitterest and bloodiest encounter with the german army on any front in world war two. In a battle that became increasingly political, symbolic and personal as it progressed, more and more men were asked to throw themselves at the virtually impregnable german defences.
Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids. The hardestfought battle of world war ii ebook written by matthew parker. Battle of monte cassino simple english wikipedia, the free. Nov 06, 2003 monte cassino tells the extraordinary story of ordinary soldiers tested to the limits under conditions more typical of the horrors of the first world war. The battle of monte cassino also known as the battle for rome and the battle for cassino was a costly series of four assaults by the allies against the winter line in italy held by axis forces during the italian campaign of world war ii. This huge volume could become the last word on the cassino battles of. The history of the battle for rome during world war ii chronicles the crucial 1944 battle. The story of the hardestfought battle of world war two by matthew parker isbn. Parker relies heavily on veterans accounts of the battle in his narrative.
Apr 19, 2018 in history books the battle of monte cassino is often overshadowed by the others but it was the first major battle of the western allies on european mainland as they advanced north from the foot of italy. He has made a special study of new zealand armour and armoured units and has published nineteen books as well as many articles and chapters on the subject. The intention was a breakthrough to rome at the beginning of 1944, the western half of the winter line was being anchored by germans holding the rapido. One of the bloodiest european battles of the second world war was that from january to june 1944 for the gustav line, anchored on monte. If you like war novels, you will love monte cassino. The third battle of cassino in midmarch was preceded by a thunderous artillery barrage from nine hundred guns and a massive aerial bombardment of. The climax of his account, his description of the tenacious defence of the town of cassino and the monte cassino abbey by exhausted, outnumbered german troops, has rarely been equalled his book presents a soldiers view of the fighting but it also examines the tactics and planning on both sides. This casemate illustrated title explores the battle of monte cassino. The third battle of cassino in midmarch was preceded by a thunderous artillery barrage from nine hundred guns and a massive aerial bombardment of the town. Much has been written about cassino, but few books have chosen to tell the story through photographs to give a visual insight into the fighting and the forces involved, the conditions in which they fought, and the landscape around the monte cassino abbey which became a battlefield. Monte cassino today usually spelled montecassino is a rocky hill about kilometres 81 mi southeast of rome, in the latin valley, italy, 2 kilometres 1.
The battle for monte cassino was britains bitterest and bloodiest encounter with the german army on any front in world war two. The allies struggled to capture the western anchor of the gustav line and the roman catholic abbey of monte cassino. Like other savage encounters with the wehrmacht in italy, it is now mostly overlooked, though the sacrifice and suffering were enormous, leaving 3. The sixmonth battle for monte cassino was britains bitterest and bloodiest encounter with the german army on any front in world war two. We will be looking at the german side of the battles for cassino and the abbey on top of monte cassino in an amazing collection of german war photographer images relating to this epic battle. After the war he wrote this remarkable history, one of the first fulllength accounts of this famous and controversial episode in th. Monte cassino is the true story of one of the bitterest and bloodiest of the allied struggles against the nazi army.
One of the bloodiest european battles of the second world war was that from january to june 1944 for the gustav line, anchored on monte cassino, famous for its benedictine abbey. The battle of monte cassino, from january to may 1944129 days of. Parker the battle of britain details, with the aid of hundreds of survivor interviews and war diaries, the allied siege of the monastery at monte cassino, a mountainous fiefdom massively. The polish war cemetery at monte cassino holds the graves of 1,072 poles who died storming the bombedout benedictine abbey atop the mountain in may 1944, during the battle of monte cassino. The story of the hardestfought battle of world war two. It was a series of four attacks by the allies against the winter line in italy held by the germans and italians. Unit has books written and a movie made about them i. Key second world war battle left 200,000 dead or injured but was overshadowed by dday. I knew monte cassino from thomas aquinas residence there, 700 years earlier. It also looks at all the paratroopers insignia and documents and, of course, at the battles the green devils fought, from eben emael in holland, crete, north africa, russia, italy and monte cassino, normandy right up to the battle of the bulge and the last days of the regime.
Tom ii by wankowicz, melchior and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. At the beginning of 1944 italy was the western allies only active front against nazicontrolled europe, and. In history books the battle of monte cassino is often overshadowed by the others but it was the first major battle of the western allies on european mainland as they advanced north from the foot of italy. The story of the hardestfought battle of world war. Best books for learning about the battle of monte cassino. The battles fought between the allied armies and the german wehrmacht at monte cassino in 1944 were key episodes in the protracted italian campaign, and the eventual allied victory was a decisive step in the wider war to liberate europe from german occupa. Feb 17, 2011 richard holmes asks whether the epic battle of cassino would have taken place, if allied leadership had understood the real problems involved in fighting in such appalling terrain. Better known as the battle of cassino, the campaign only ended when rome was liberated. The sixmonth battle for monte cassino was britains bitterest and bloodiest. The battle of monte cassino, from january to may 1944129 days of hell was arguably the allies toughest combat of world war ii. At the beginning of 1944 italy was the western allies only active front against nazicontrolled europe, and their only route to the capital was through the liri valley. My grandads war, produced by bbc with the participation as local historian of the battle of monte cassino of dr danila bracaglia. The story of the most controversial battle of world war ii.
I am proud to have be chosen by the bbc as local historian of the battle of monte cassino for the production of a documentary shown on 11th november 2019 on bbc1. Battle of monte cassino simple english wikipedia, the. Monte cassino is the true story of one of the bitterest and bloodiest of. The story of the hardestfought battle of world war two by parker, matthew isbn. As a german battalion commander rudolf bohmler fought in the front line during the fierce battles fought at monte cassino. They were the most famous bunch involved though didnt fight it all themselves. I thought the 442nd regimental combat team made monte cassino sorta famous and probably the most discussed battle of italian campaign in the states. The history of the battle for rome during world war ii audiobook by charles river editors. Reflections of the battle of monte cassino pleszak. It seems the history of the monastery at monte cassino stretches back centuries before st.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. The battle of monte cassino also called the battle for rome and the battle for cassino was a battle during the italian campaign of world war ii. At the beginning of 1944, the western half of the winter line was held by germans. The battle of monte cassino january 1944may 1945 was a series of battles during the italian campaign. The german side of cassino and monte cassino in pictures. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Monte cassino is an excellnet book depicting the authours amazing experiences in itlay during world war two. Jul 22, 2019 the destruction of the fourteenthcentury monastery itself becomes a powerful symbol of the toll war takes on history and culture. To be honest, before i read this book i had no idea a tremendous artillery battle was fought at monte cassino during the allied invasion of italy. The result is a comprehensive study of the battles from every viewpoint, with many illustrations. Culture film news new film pays tribute to forgotten heroes of monte cassino. Monte cassino tells the extraordinary story of ordinary soldiers tested to the limits under conditions more typical of the horrors of the first world war. The hardestfought battle of world war ii by parker, matthew and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Long neglected by historians, the horrific conflict saw over 350,000 casualties, while the worst winter in italian memory and official incompetence and backbiting only worsened the carnage and turmoil.
Books the battles for monte cassino after the battle. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about monte cassino like never before, in no time at all. The crew of a mark v panther tank, presumed in the town of cassino. The battles of monte cassino glyn harper and john tonkincovell. The epic battle for monte cassino is captured beautifully by hassel who actually served as a german soldier during this time. The cemetery is maintained by the council for the protection of memorial sites of struggle and martyrdom. The successful capture of the mountain top monastery and the town of cassino below was crucial in opening the road to rome. Long neglected by historians, the horrific conflict saw over 350,000 casualties, while the worst winter in italian memory and official incompetence and backbiting only. The hardest fought battle of world war ii by matthew parker isbn. Ten armies in hell is an important addition to our understanding of the ghastly campaign for central italy in world war ii. Monte cassino battlefield tours wwii battlefield tours.
In the absence of detailed intelligence at fifth army hq, he had found a book dated 1879 in a naples bookshop giving details of the construction of the abbey. This breathtaking monastery was established by saint benedict himself 1,500 years ago. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read monte cassino. After the battle books the battles for monte cassino. The battle for greece and crete 19401941 and monte cassino. Sep 09, 2004 the sixmonth battle for monte cassino was britains bitterest and bloodiest encounter with the german army on any front in world war two. New film pays tribute to forgotten heroes of monte cassino. Monte cassino is the true story of one of the bitterest and bloodiest of the. To get to rome, the allies needed to break through the winter and gustav lines, and in early 1944 they came up against the positions established by the germans around the historic hilltop abbey of monte cassino. This huge volume could become the last word on the cassino battles of world war ii in italy. The story of the most controversial battle of world war ii hapgood, david, richardson, david on. Monte cassino is the true story of one of the bitterest and bloodiest. Unit has books written and a movie made about them i think. The battle of monte cassino, one of the bloodiest battles of world war two.
The hardest fought battle of world war ii is a very good account of the four battles around cassino, italy, from january to may 1944. Comprehensive and very well researched, monte cassino. The hardest fought battle of world war ii matthew parker on. Monte cassino was one of the most sacred sites in christendom and the home to valuable religious artifacts, artworks, and manuscripts. Among his most recent publications are war in the balkans. The destruction of the fourteenthcentury monastery itself becomes a powerful symbol of the toll war takes on history and culture.
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