The Battles for Monte Cassino encompassed one of the few truly
international conflicts of the Second World War. A strategic town on the
road to Rome, the fighting lasted four months and cost the lives of more
than 14,000 men from eight nations. Between January and May 1944, forces
from Britain, Canada, France, India, New Zealand, Poland and the United
States, fought a resolute German army in a series of battles in which
the advantage swung back and forth, from one side to the other. From
fire-fights in the mountains to tank attacks in the valley; from river
crossings to street fighting, the four battles of Cassino encompass a
series of individual operations unique in the history of the Second
World War.