The Bombing of the Monastery

15th March 1944: The Allies obliterate the Monte Cassino Monastery that dominates the high ground on the front line in Italy, the German 'Gustav Line'

‘15 March 44. Cassino Area, Italy. In one of the war's most concentrated air bombings, the town of Cassino was completely destroyed today. German held Cassino has long blocked the allied advance toward Rome.’

“'They Stole The Show' was the tribute paid to the Marauders by Lt. Gen. Ira C. Eaker, C-in-C of the Mediterranean Allied Air Force, for the part the Martin B-26s played in the March 15, 1944 bombardment of Cassino. But Cassino was a special job, not the one they liked and did best.”

Both fronts in Italy were turning into bloody battles of attrition. At Anzio, the Allies were trapped in a narrow bridgehead - unable to break out to outflank the main German defensive position in Italy centred on Cassino. Here the Monte Cassino Monastery stood in a commanding position astride the ‘Gustav Line’. The US Army had failed to break through in February - a series of assaults under the shadow of the Monastery had seen the 34th Infantry Division suffer 80% casualties.

The Monastery had been therefore been bombed on the 15th of February - as a prelude to new assaults by the British. But it was not until the 15th of March that the Allies decided to obliterate it completely. This controversial decision was subject to vigorous discussions among the Allied commanders

The Monastery before and after the 15th February bombing.

The monastery after the initial bombing in February.

German paratroopers inside the monastery in March 1944.

By this time it appears that the already ruined monastery was being used as a strongpoint by the Germans.