World War Ii Battle of Monte Cassino Aerial Attacks February (1944)

Synopsis

This silent film, which would have been shown as part of an intelligence briefing to senior commanders in Italy, possibly including Gen. Mark Clark, shows part of the attack on Monte Cassino in February of 1944. Shot from the ground, it shows the effects of Allied bombers on the mountainside and the Abbey itself. The film also shows some limited artillery strikes on the German position at 5:51. Official news release which accompanied this film stated:"Bombing of the Benedictine Monastery. Formations of American planes bombed the Benedictine Monastery which overlooks Cassino and which as been a most important German observation post. The Allies have endeavored to spare the historic Monastery at the request of the Vatican but its tremendous importance as a German bastion finally forced its destruction. Several waves of planes bombed the Monastery at intervals and artillery blasted the structure between bombings. HE and incendiary bombs were dropped on the Abbey and the mountainside. Between the waves of bombing planes the smoke cleared away from the wrecked building and then further waves came in to complete the destruction. Subject shows the repeated bombings and 240mm Howitzer fire." The Battle of Monte Cassino (also known as the Battle for Rome and the Battle for Cassino) was a costly series of four assaults by the Allies against the Winter Line in Italy held by Axis forces during the Italian Campaign of World War II. The intention was a breakthrough to Rome. At the…

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Details

Running time

12 minutes

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage