Battle Analysis - Cassino: The Second, Third, and Fourth Battles, Offensive, Deliberate Attack, Mountain (Combined), 13 February-18 May 1944

摘要

Following the failure of the US 34th Division assault on Monte Cassino, the provisional New Zealand Corps relieved the US forces. The New Zealand Corps, in the Second Battle of Cassino (Feb 15-18, 1944), conducted an assault, supported by aerial bombardment. The aerial bombardment destroyed the monastery, but the assault failed. The Third Battle of Cassino (March 15-23, 1944), also conducted by the New Zealand Corps, was supported by a tank assault and by the most massive close air support attack attempted to date in the war. The close air support destroyed the town of Cassino but the assaults failed. With Cassino blocking the road to Rome, Alexander regrouped his 15th Army Group, heavily weighted his main effort and launched a full-scale surprise assault between Cassino and the sea. The Fourth Battle of Cassino (May 11-18, 1944) was but a small action in this 15th Army Group assault. The Poles took Cassino on 18 May 1944. (author)