18th May, 1944 was enshrined in

Polish history for the final assault on the German positions at Monte Cassino. Part of the Gothic Line, designed to slow down or even possibly halt the allied advance northward towards Rome and southern Europe, the Benedictine Monastery was the pivot around which the German defensive line was based.

The first assaults had begun in January with French French Colonial and US formations but they were beaten back down the hills surround the Abbey. During February it was Indian and and New Zealand divisions which tried to take the hills but, once again, these attacks failed and the Abbey was then brutally bombed which actually helped the German Paratroops to create even better defences in the rubble. In March it was the turn of British and Canadian forces but it would not be until May 1944 that three determined attacks by the soldiers of 2nd Polish Corps managed to get into the Abbey and take the position - losing 900 troops in the final phase and 2,500 soldiers in total. The Polish Cemetery at Monte Cassino is one of the most majestic monuments to the losses in World War Two in the whole of Italy.

General Anders, Commander Polish 2. Corps, at Monte Cassino after the battle.