| Paul –
Ancient history now but you may recall the first Battle for Cassino – Christmas – early January was when the 34th US Div went in a short right hook just behind the Monastery from the N.E. – as the French divisions went in a further right hook towards Altina to try and cut Highway six – until Clark called them back to assist 34th US Div – at that point the attack failed.
Meanwhile British 5th and 56th Divs with 201 Guards Brigadede were over the Garigliano and heading for Minturno - further North 46th Div.failed in their attack in to the Liri valley. – but a bridgehead was established past Minturno – and held all through 2nd and 3rd Battles while the US corps with the French essentially rested up for a while.
At the start of the 4th battle the French took off from the Minturno /Garilgliano bridgehead toward Pico and Longo – then the Aurunci Mtns and US 2nd corps along the coast through Fondi and Terracino.
You might know that the Rapido comes down basically from the N.E to join the Liri coming from the North before joining the Garigliano which then proceeds Westwards to the Sea.
It was hereabouts that Brit 4th Div ran into trouble with their bridges over the Rapido and in losing both Blackwater and Congo but did manage to erect the Amazon, at the same time the 8th Indian Div had better luck in building their Cardiff – London – Oxford - Plymouth Bridges not without massive casualties and so were able to make progress the easier than 4th British ! This then allowed the Canadians ( with gerry’s 25th tanks) – 6th Armoured – 78th Div – and the others to batter away at the Gustav and Hitler lines and the Poles to finally enter the Monastery as the French ran mad over the undefended Aurunci’s and Clark to gain his signpost !
Cheers |