The hardest fought battle of world war ii by matthew parker isbn. The story of the hardestfought battle of world war two by parker, matthew isbn. The story of the hardestfought battle of world war two. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read monte cassino. The sixmonth battle for monte cassino was britains bitterest and bloodiest. The new offensive, operation diadem, smashed through the neck of the liri valley by sheer weight, and the polish corps took monte cassino. 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 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.
Monte cassino, the sacred monastery north west of naples. The successful capture of the mountain top monastery and the town of cassino below was crucial in opening the road to rome. Berlin and potsdam 1945 aftermath hd 1080p color footage. Monte cassino is the true story of one of the bitterest and bloodiest. 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. Instead it focuses on some german officer who saved the art in the cassino from goring and the allies. They lost about 55, 000 people by the end of the battle. If you are interested in the battle of monte cassino monte cassino. Daily telegraph one of the true epics of infantry war in world war ii a gripping story of incompetence, courage, cowardice and almost every other human emotion that war can excite. They were the most famous bunch involved though didnt fight it all themselves. Sven hassels iconic novel about the battle for monte cassino. This huge volume could become the last word on the cassino battles of world war ii in italy.
The battle for monte cassino was britains bitterest and bloodiest encounter with the german army on any front in world war two. Other articles where battle of monte cassino is discussed. Battle of monte cassino wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. 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. It seems the history of the monastery at monte cassino stretches back centuries before st. One interesting detail about the battle of monte cassino is how everyone fighting for it perceived it. An italian civilian with upraised hands greets the first gis into troina after a brutal battle lasting nearly a week in early august 1943. 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.
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. Parker relies heavily on veterans accounts of the battle in his narrative. This casemate illustrated title explores the battle of monte cassino. 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. 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. Reflections of the battle of monte cassino pleszak. 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. It also lays the blame for the numerous casualties squarely at the feet of general clark.
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. Tom ii by wankowicz, melchior and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. Actually, the germans were able to remove both the monks and the treasures of the abbey. Hitler has ordered that every position must be held to the last, and every lost position recaptured by counterattack. 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. Battle of monte cassino simple english wikipedia, the. The hardestfought battle of world war ii by parker, matthew and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Monte cassino is an excellnet book depicting the authours amazing experiences in itlay during world war two. Hapgoods book does not delve deeply into the combat and is hardly a military history at all. I knew monte cassino from thomas aquinas residence there, 700 years earlier. The orders of battle at the end of this book list divisions from the uk, the usa, poland, new zealand, india, france including algeria, morocco, and tunisia and, of course, germany.
The germans had around 20,000 killed and wounded by the end of the struggle. After the battle books the battles for monte cassino. Best books for learning about the battle of monte cassino. Online shopping for monte cassino from a great selection at books store. 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 last one was monte cassino, the hardest battle of world war ii by matthew parker. This breathtaking monastery was established by saint benedict himself 1,500 years ago. The result is a comprehensive study of the battles from every viewpoint, with many illustrations. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. 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.
Parkers writing is excellent and his account very informative. It was a series of four attacks by the allies against the winter line in italy held by the germans and italians. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. The history of the battle for rome during world war ii audiobook by charles river editors. Monte cassino is the true story of one of the bitterest and bloodiest of the allied struggles against the nazi army. The epic story of the liberation of europe in world war ii. 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 story of the hardestfought battle of world war. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. It was not just the battle of cassino, it was a battle for poland, general anders recalled years later in his book titled without the last chapter. The battle of monte cassino was fought january 17 to may 18, 1944, during world war ii and saw the allies win after four bloody engagements.
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. The hardest fought battle of world war ii by matthew parker is the superior read. The museum commemorating polish participation in the battle is located at the polish military cemetery at monte cassino. The epic battle for monte cassino is captured beautifully by hassel who actually served as a german soldier during this time. 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. On february 15 the allies bombed and demolished the benedictine monastery, erroneously believing that the germans had occupied and fortified it. 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.
The hardestfought battle of world war ii ebook written by matthew parker. Books the battles for monte cassino after the battle. Having survived the horrors of the eastern front, the 27th penal regiment are posted to italy. This book is quite detailed in its description of the four battles for monte cassino. In its pure awfulness it stands comparison with any other battle of the italian campaign. Unit has books written and a movie made about them i. The battle was won but it came at a high price for the allies. The story of the hardestfought battle of world war two by matthew parker isbn. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. These have been debated ever since, but no important book on. Long neglected by historians, the horrific conflict saw over 350,000 casualties, while the worst winter in italian memory and official incompetence and.
Historical photos for the day of battle not in the book. The battle of monte cassino in the winter and spring of 1944 turns into an indescribable hell for both the defending and attacking forces. Monte cassino final battle operation diadem duration. If you like war novels, you will love monte cassino. The book begins with an outline of the italian campaign strategy that led to the epic battles monte cassino, the hardest fought battle of world war ii by matthew parker first anchor edition, may 2005. The thunder of the guns could be heard in rome, 170 miles away. The battle of monte cassino, from january to may 1944129 days of. Better known as the battle of cassino, the campaign only ended when rome was liberated. Today, the normandy invasion gets most of the attention but this campaign diverted a lot of german troops that otherwise could have been in france. This huge volume could become the last word on the cassino battles of.
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