| 17 - 21 May 2008 | ||
| This tour is now fully booked. Please call us on 0845 375 0430 if you would like to go on the waiting list or click here to e-mail us. | ||
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After the successful completion of the WW2's North African campaign came the Italian Campaign. Why did the Allies choose to fight in Italy, described by the strategist and tactician, Major General JFC (Boney) Fuller as the campaign no one wanted and one that was "tactically the most absurd and strategically the most senseless campaign of the war"? Winston Churchill however had very different views.
The conquest of Sicily and the subsequent invasion of Italy and its surrender, saw the Allied troops facing the German Army in a lengthy campaign on the mainland of Europe. By the beginning of 1944 Italy was still the Western Allies only active front in Europe. The key to the German defences South of Rome were the fortifications of the Gustav Line with its key point at the town of Cassino and the Monastery. Only the bloodbaths of Verdun or Passchendaele or the very worst of the Second World War fighting on the Eastern Front can compare to the struggle for Monte Cassino. This was the bloodiest and bitterest of the Western Allies struggles with the Wehrmacht on any front of the Second World War. The Germans compared it unfavourably with Stalingrad. | ||
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On this Battle for Rome tour we will examine the bloody, brutal battles for Monte Cassino largely on foot, making our way along Snakeshead and Phantom Ridges, Castle Hill and the Cavendish Road amongst others, giving travellers the opportunity to experience first hand a view of the difficulties of operating in a mountainous terrain, although not in winter, against a determined resolute enemy. We will follow the individual actions, amongst others, of the 34 and 36 (US) Divisions, 2nd New Zealand Corps from the 5th and 8th Army. We will look at the possible opportunities for success resulting from the actions of the French Expeditionary Force. We will examine the difficulties of fighting in Italy in general, the effects on the campaign of the demands made by Operation Anvil and Operation Overlord and the consequences of the landing at Anzio (Operation Shingle). We will scrutinise the decisions made by the German Commanders Kesselring, Vietinghoff and Senger and the Allied formation Commanders Wilson, Alexander, Clark and Freyberg as well as the Divisional Commanders on both sides and look at the constraints imposed by the Combined Chiefs of Staff. Finally we will examine the whys and wherefores of the bombing of the Monastery at Monte Cassino and its subsequent effects.
The Battles of Monte Cassino (Battle for Rome) tour will be led by Lt. Col. Howard Holroyd and will be physically demanding but well within the capabilities of a reasonably active adult. |
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| Day 1 | (Saturday): We begin with Titan's VIP Home Departure Service™ to the airport for our flight from London to Naples. Drive to Cassino and check into our Hotel. Dinner and briefing on the background to the Italian Campaign. | |
| Day 2 | Briefing on the Battles of Monte Cassino. Walks covering Monte Trochio, the Crossings at St. Angelo, the battle for the town of Cassino, Castle Hill and Hangmans Hill. Dinner. | |
| Day 3 | Briefing and walks including Caira, Cavendish Road, Phantom Ridge, Snakeshead Ridge, Point 593. | |
| Day 4 | Albaneta Farm, Death Valley, The Polish Memorial and Cemetery and the Monastery. | |
| Day 5 | Depart Hotel. Visit Cassino CWGC cemetry and Monte Camino. Fly Naples - London. On arrival at the airport Titan staff will greet you and transfer you to your Titan Transport for your return journey to your front door. |
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