| BATTLE OF MONTE CASSINO - PHASE THREE FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 25, 1944 |
| CONTINUED |
March 17. German troops emerged from the Abbey ruins and captured Hangmans Hill. But in a fierce counter attack, the Gurkhas recaptured it forcing a Geman retreat. March 18. A German unit c rossed the Rapido River in an attempt to recapture the station. They reached as far as the engine shed when they were fired upon by the New Zealanders guarding the area. Allied bombers dropped supply containers to the Gurkhas stranded on Hangmans Hill allowing them to resume attacks on Monastery Hill. The Essex Battalion was dispatched to them as reinforcements. Having captured the station and most of the town, the Allied engineers, under cover of a smoke screen was able to clear the street and construct vital bridges. However, the Germans took advantage of the smokescreen to attack. March 19. The German unit sent to capture the Rapido had retreated. After a full day of fighting they suffered severe casualties. Within hours, the Maoris attacked the Continental Hotel in order to advance to Via Casilina. On the north-west of town, the New Zealand 25th Battalion stormed German strongholds but could not break through. They managed to occupy about two thirds of the town but could not reach Via Casilina. Germans blocked positions in the town centre, and the station. The Germans stronghold was from within the ruins of the Continental Hotel. From their position they were able to halt the advance of the New Zealand 24th and 26th Battalions, and thereby maintain control of Via Casilina. At 5:30 p.m. Essex Regiment joined the Gurkhas in the attack on Monastery Hill, whle the 1st Battalion of the 4th Parachute Regiment attacked by way of Rocca Janula. The Germans were taken by surprise as the Allies reached the walls of the Monastery, but the Germans succeeded in driving the Allies back. The 5th Indian Brigade, near Rocca Janula were able to repulse enemy attack, while the English Battalions clamered up Hangmans Hill. The Germans attacked again but retreated with severe casualties. The 20th New Zealand Armored Regiment, the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron of the 7th Indian Brigade and the US 760th Armored Battalion were amassed on the Cavendish Road leading to Massa Albaneta to attack the Monastery. Among them were 19 Sherman tanks and 21 Stuarts. The enemy was surprised to see the armored column right in the middle of mountainous terrain. Within 800m (860 yard) of the farm house at Massa Albaneta, the tanks were halted by heavy fire and land mines. Without infantry support, the remaining vehicules hastily retreated. Rather than abandon the assault, Freyberg called for more reserves to maintain fighting momentum. General Alexander sent the British 8th Army to carry out the final assault. The Germans tried again to recapture Rocca Janula but were met with Allied fire and were wiped out. On the same day, a War Council was convened by General Alexander with the intention of calling an end to the third wave of the Battle. After four days of hand fighting the Allies had claimed the fort, Castle Hill, the northwest part of Cassino town, the Botanical Gardens and the station. But attemps to capture the Continental Hotel failed. However, Freybeurg was able to intervene and obtain permission in order to make one last attempt. March 22. The New Zealand II Corps made anothe attack on German positions but they failed. General Alexander ordered suspension of hostilities. The next day, engineers had finished building bridges in key parts of Cassino while Allied units regrouped. March 24. Operation Strangle was put into effect in preparation for the next phase of the Battle. Its objective was the destruction of enemy supply lines and communication. The Mediterranean Allied Air Force, under the command of Lt. General Eaker, were deployed to target all railways lines, roads, airbases, harbors and passes connecting Italy with Germany and Austria, as well as bombers and soldiers. It brought German transports to a virtual standstill. The enemy dared only to travel under cover of darkness - even in bad weather conditions. Fighting had ceased in the Liri Valley for 2 days. The Gurkhas were still hanging on to their positions. They endured for 8 days and nights on the bare mountain slopes of Monastery Hill, ready for battle at any moment. But fighting was suspended. The 117 soldiers and 8 officers who had captured Hangmans Hill just a week earlier were now retreating, covered by Allied artillery fire. The Third Phase of the Battle was yet again a clear victory in terms of German defense. Monastery Hill was still unattainable. The Liri Valley still closed and the road to Rome, impassable. |
| NEXT: BATTLE OF MONTE CASSINO PHASE FOUR MARCH 26 - MAY 15, 1944 |