The fall
General Clark, surprised by the inhumanity of General Freyberg’s demand, nevertheless does not deny it, fearing New Zealand might react negatively and withdraw from the conflict. The bombing is decided upon and carried out on February 15. 142 B-17s and 87 B-25s hit the monastery with awesome precision so that it seems to disappear in one single prolongued eruption. The allied artillery then opens fire, followed by a second bomber wave. 287 tons of high-explosive bombs and 66 tons of incendiary bombs fall on Monte Cassino, the monks who had looked for protection in the crypt escape unhurt.
The advantage of the bombing is solely on the German side now. Colonel Heilmann entrenches himself with the 1. Battalion of 3 Parachute Regiment in the ruins. Soon they earn the respect of allied soldiers for their fighting qualities and are given by them the nickname "the Green Devils of Monte Cassino". The 1st Parachute Division, reinforced by army artillery and under the leadership of Colonel Heilmann, takes command of the entire sector.
General Freyberg attempted numerous attacks, however, exhausted himself visibly. Although it turned out well to conquer parts of the station, a part of the northern municipal district and the castle hill for it, this, however, was not able to weaken the German position. Massive use of artillery by the allies failed to make a difference. In the course of the last week in March the Allies fired 588,094 shells.The road to Rome nevertheless remained blocked.
By the end of April there is a lull in the fighting. Both sides are preparing for the next battle.
The Germans were only facing one question. Where will the main focus be for the next offensive? Kesselring wanted to weigh up all the risks and also started to build further defence lines. The Goten Line (Gothic line) which ran from Florence across Italy, the Cäsar Line (Caesar line) south of Rome and the Adolf-Hitler Line directly behind the front (HKL) which, however, was renamed later the Senger Line. In addition, reserves are formed.
Three Panzergrenadier divisions and two Panzer divisions are now ready for action. One is prepared for an offensive which is expected around May 25. Therefore the commander of the 10 Army and the XIV. Panzer Corps, General von Senger and Etterlin, was allowed to travel to Germany to receive the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross for the defence of Monte Cassino.
During the night of May 10 - 11 May a Moroccan deserter declared the allied offensive is imminent. He was not taken seriously by his German interrogators, however 2,000 allied guns opened up with an enormous barrage later the same night. This time Clark wanted to force the Liri valley by a direct frontal attack. Two small Polish divisions under General Anders were to make possible the conquest of the Monte Cassino something which hitherto had not succeeded. The taking of the Monte Mayo, the southern corner pillar of the German Cassino front, was imperative for a success of the entire operation. Algerians and Moroccans of the French Corps were ordered to take over and accomplish this task. They also had succeeded in it on May 13. But the Monte Mayo was only the first step in bringing the Aurunci mountain range under allied under control. The Alpine Corps, consisting of independent Moroccan native battalions, the Tabor, as well as a Regiment of the 4th Moroccan Mountain division, altogether 12,000 men with 4,000 mules gradually conquered Monte Retondo, the valley of the Ausente, Monte Revolte and severed the most important cross link of the 10. German Army, the road from Pico to Itri, on May 18. For four months the Gustav Line held all attacks but the dreadful march of the Morrocans and Algerians put everything in question within four days. The German front began to falter. Cassino had already been mostly evacuated. Only the paratroopers defied the enemy. It took a personal order by Kesselring to make the "Green Devils" desert their positions in and on Monte Cassino. When the Poles reach the top, they found it empty. The battle was decided.
