Northumbrian Gunner: Italy 2026 - Bombing of Cassino Monestary

Thursday, 8 October 2026

Italy 2026 - Bombing of Cassino Monestary

The Abbey of Cassino was established around 529 by Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Benedictine Order The monastery was built on Monte Cassino 520 metres above the town of Cassino.

Abbey of Cassino pre bombardment

Abbey of Cassino pre bombardment 2026

In 1943 the mountain on which the Abbey was built was part of the main German defensive line, the Gustav line, blocking the Allies advance north towards Rome along Route 6 through the Liri Valley.

Monte Cassino from Monte Trocchio

Monte Cassino from Monte Trocchio

The mountain commanded views over the Rapido and Liri valleys providing the defenders with the ability to bring down effective artillery fires.

German Observer Monte Cassino

IJ Observer Monte Cassino

Monte Cassino looking into Rapido Valley

Monte Cassino looking into Liri Valley

The construction of the defences on the Gustav Line began in September 1943. Monte Cassino was to be fortified given its strategic importance, however the Germans respected the religious prominence of the monastery and no military installations would be constructed within its confines. It was however recognised that the monastery could sustain collateral damage once the battle for the mountain on which it stood commenced.

In Mid October the Germans met with Bishop Gregorio Diamare, the Abbott, to advise him that it would be sensible to evacuate the monastery and it's works of art. The Abbott accepted their advice and preparations were made to move religious artefacts and evacuate the monks and civilian refugees who had fled fighting in the area, to Rome. The German military provided transport and troops to conduct the movement. The Abbot, five monks, five lay brothers, and about 150 civilians remained.

Military policemen were placed at the entrance to the monastery to ensure no military personnel entered the Abbey.

Abbot of Cassino meets German Officers

German troops remove religious artefacts from Cassino Abbey

The policy of protection of places of religious and cultural sites enacted by the Germans at the Abbey of Cassino was consistent with the Allied policy. General Dwight D. Eisenhowcr, when he was Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean theatre directed;

" all precautions to safeguard works of art and monuments are being taken. Naval, ground, and air commanders have been so instructed and understand fully importance of preventing unnecessary or avoidable damage.”

General Mark Clark, Commander Fifth Army in Italy, directed his subordinates “to protect these properties, and intentional attacks will therefore be carefully avoided. … If, however, military necessity should so dictate, there should be no hesitation in taking whatever action the situation warrants.”

The first attempt to seize Monte Cassino lasted from 17 January – 11 February 1944. The wintry conditions and the German defences causing the assault to fail.

Northumbrian Gunner: Italy 2026 - First Battle of Monte Cassino

The landings in Anzio on 22nd January had been contained, so as well as a desire to reach Rome, there was also a need to break the Gustav Line to link up with the forces in the Anzio Beachhead.

Two fresh Divisions, the 2nd New Zealand Division and the 4th Indian Infantry Division were brought in to relieve the two American Divisions that had been unsuccessful in the initial attempt to secure Monte Cassino.

The two new divisions would conduct the next assault on Monte Cassino under the direct command of New Zealander General Sir Bernard Freyberg. The 2nd New Zealand Division would cross the Rapido and seize the town of Cassino, the 4th Indian Division was tasked with the capture of the Monte Cassino and the Monastery.

When General Mark Clark , Commander US Fifth Army, met with the Freyberg to plan the attack, Freyberg raised concerns that the monastery buildings were being used by the Germans and should be destroyed by artillery or aerial bombardment. General Tucker commanding the 4th Indian Division, tasked with assaulting Monte Cassino, also felt that the monastery should subject to air bombardment prior to the attack. Whilst General Clark and the Americans felt that such a bombardment was unnecessary, believing quite rightly the Germans had no need to occupy the monastery, after many deliberations they acceded to Freyberg's request.

On the afternoon of the 14th February American artillery fired carrier shells containing leaflets on the Abbey warning of the impending bombardment.

Carrier Shells being prepared

Italian friends, BEWARE!

Until now, we have been especially careful to avoid shelling the Monte Cassino Monastery. The Germans have taken advantage of this restraint. But now the fighting has drawn closer and closer to its sacred precincts. The time has come when we must train our guns on the Monastery itself.

We give you this warning so that you may save yourselves. We urge you: leave the Monastery. Leave it at once. Respect this warning—it is for your own benefit.

On the 15th February at 09:25 the first wave of American aircraft dropped their bombs on the Abbey of Cassino.