Aerial view of the monastery and town at Cassino, 1944 (b/w photo)

Aerial view of the monastery and town at Cassino, 1944. Photograph, World War Two, Italy (1943-1945) 1944. The entrance to the strategically pivotal Liri Valley (which opened the way to Rome) was just over 10 kilometres wide and was overlooked by the 500-metre high monastery of Monte Cassino. Supported by minefields and fortifications, Cassino was a tough nut for the Allies to crack. In order to minimise casualties, they therefore launched a massive air and artillery bombardment of the German defences prior to their assault. This laid waste to the historic monastery and surrounding town. Unfortunately, most of the German defenders survived and exploited the ruins to create an even more formidable set of defences. One of eight aerial photographs of Cassino, 1944.