Battle of Cassino, 1944

The Italian Campaign in WWII. This film documents the battle for Cassino. Scenes of the countryside around Cassino. Uses a model of the area and animated map to explain the Allied positions and tactics used in an attempt to capture Cassino. Warning leaflets are packed into thin metal artillery shells and fired into the area by 105 mm howitzers warning civilians of a coming massive bombing and artillery barrage. Wave after wave of B-25, B-17, B-26, and B-25 bombers unload tons of bombs on the Monastery of Monte Cassino in a four-hour period. 155 mm “long tom” artillery field gun is dragged into position and 240 mm howitzer brought to area and assembled. Bombers and artillery fire is used to demolish the town and the Abbey of Monte Cassino Monastery. The Germans held fast. Last scene is an area map with a swastika shown on top of the town. Newspaper headline reads 'Big Drive On In Italy'.