Photo:  View of the Monastery from the Polish Cemetery.

Ad hoc dates for studies to Cassino, Anzio or Cassino & Anzio are available on request.  Prices will depend on the number of participants in the party.

Flights into Rome Ciampino or Rome Fuimicino Airports are not included in the tour price.  This is to allow participants to arrive from any departure airport of their choice and to obtain the best value flight. 

For those who have their own transport and merely wish to join the tour at Cassino or Anzio, a reduced charge is made.  Please contact us at enquiries@cassinobattlefields.co.uk for specific rates.

All studies include visits to the principal American, British, German and Polish war cemetries in the region.

Itinerary for studies to Cassino

Day 1.

Meet at Airport in Rome and drive to Cassino.

Study the strategic background to the Italian Campaign, orientate to the ground and set the scene for the four battles January-May 44.

Study and view of the crossing sites on the River Garigliano by 36 (Texas) Infantry Division in the first battle 20-23 January 1944. 

Study and view the ground over which 34 (Red Bulls) Infantry Division advanced in 24 January-12 February 1944 in the first battle across the River Rapido and their break-in onto the ridges behind the Monastery. 

Study the ground on Monastery Hill and appreciate why this position dominated the battlefield.  Examine the controversial decision to bomb the Benedictine Monastery on 15 Febuary 1944. 

Study and view the ground over which part of 5 NZ Infantry Brigade attacked up the railway causeway on 17-18 February 1944 in an attempt to get armour into the Liri valley during the second battle and the concurrent attack by 5 Indian Brigade up on Snakeshead Ridge towards Point 593 

Study and view the terrain over which II (New Zealand) Corps attacked up Monastery Hill and into Cassino town during the third battle on 15-23 March 1944. 

Study the Amazon Bridge, the crossing point on the River Rapido for 4 British Infantry Division on 12-13 May 1944, and appreciate the enormity of the challenge that the soldiers from the Corps of Royal Engineers faced at this site.

Day 2.

Walk and study the route of the Cavendish Road tank attack behind the Monastery on 19 March 1944. 

Study the enormous logistical problems of resupplying troops on the ridges from Caira and the Allied efforts to meet this challenge. 

Study the ground on Snakeshead Ridge, Point 593 and Point 575 over which the 34th (Red Bulls) Infantry Division fought in the first battle, 4th Indian Infantry Division in the second battle and II (Polish) Corps in the fourth battle. 

Examine the role of the Poles in the battle and the circumstances that led them to Monte Cassino.

Study the fourth and final battle and appreciate the efforts and gallantry of the Eighth Army in finally breaking the Gustav and Senger Lines in May 1944.  

Day 3.

Study the 56 (London) Infantry Division assault across the Garigliano on 17 Jan 44 and the breakout into Castelforte and Sujo and up on to Monte Damiano.

Return to Airport in Rome.

Photo:  View of Mount Artemisio and the Alban Hills.

Itinerary for studies to Anzio

Day 1.

Meet at Airport in Rome and drive to Anzio.

Study the strategic background to the Italian Campaign, orientate to the ground and set the scene for the battles for Anzio January-May 44.

Day 2.

Study the challenges of the landings at Anzio on 22 January 1944 and the controversies of the first two months of the operation.

Study 24 Guards Brigade’s initial breakout towards Carroceto and the Factory on 28 January 1944.

Study the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and 1st Battalion Scot Guards night attack on 29-30 January 1944 to establish a Line of Departure for 3rd Infantry Brigade to reach Campoleone.

Study the attack by 3rd Infantry Brigade on 30-31 January 1944 to seize the major road and railway junction at Campoleone as a prelude to a 1st Infantry Division operation to reach Albano and Genzano.

Study the collapse of 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders' position on 4 February 1944 and its impact on the security of the Campoleone Salient.

Study the defensive position of 10th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment on the right of the base of the Campoleone Salient over 2-11 February 1944 .

Day 3.

Study the defensive positions of 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment and 5th Battalion Grenadier Guards on Buonriposo Ridge on the left of the base of the Campoleone Salient over 5-10 February 1944 including Major Philip Sidney’s VC action.

Study the desperate establishment of 1st Infantry Division's Final Defence Line and the defence activities in the British Sector 17 February-1 March 1944.

Study the defensive positions of 10th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, 1st Battalion, London Irish Regiment and 1st Battalion Irish Guards in the 'wadis' during February 1944.  

Study the four options drawn up by HQ VI (US) Corps for the breakout from Anzio and the breakout itself on 23 May 1944. 

Study the progress of Op BUFFALO after General Mark Clark’s controversial decision to switch to Op TURTLE on 25 May 1944.

Study the 36 (Texas) Infantry Division plan to slip between the inter-Corps boundary for LXXVI Panzer Corps and I Parachute Corps and break the Fourteenth Army’s defence on 29-30 May 1944. 

Day 4.

Return to Airport in Rome.

Photo:  Cassino town in 2010 from Point 202.