In connection with the 1967 anniversary of the victory of the Poles in the Battle of Monte Cassino I would like to show my old job reporting on these events. This victory represents bravery, determination, heroism and high combat value of Polish Soldier. Sam "The Battle of Monte Cassino was the theater of the struggle between the two best armies: the Polish Army and German Army. This statement certainly would support an expert on military history. Now going to present the overall conduct of one of the most important and toughest battles of World War II.
The German Army at the turn of 1943/1944, under pressure from the U.S. 5th Army Gen. Mark Clark and British 8th Army, General Sir Oliver Lesse'go , comprising the 15 Army Group Alexander Herold , they stopped line Ortona - Cassino - Minturno . There, the commander of German Army Group "C" Field Marshal Albert Kesselring decided to resist the Allies marching on Rome. The local mountainous terrain was ideal for defense. He was lying on most of the Apennine Peninsula, and the lines of communication, there were very few. Germany blocked most of the areas, how the Allies were able to carry heavy equipment, while they controlled most of the roads, so that at any moment they could pull up to the battle tanks and other tracked vehicles essential, you need to conduct warfare. The only place where the Allies were able to carry out armored units was the river Liri. There, after breaking two rivers Garigliano and Rapido can be further continued, "The road to Rome." She ran there, road no. 6 further march Road No. 6 was prevented by the German master of the massif of Monte Cassino Which, together with the monastery hill towered over the valley. Germans formed there Gustav Line, and the hill of Monte Cassino itself was a fortress.
Hill defended Monte Cassino 1 Parachute Division under the command of Gen. Richardt Heidrich . Heidrich was the embodiment of the ideal mate. As commander of the 3rd Gurkha interceded in the fighting on Crete and the Battle of Leningrad. Adamant in orders, take care of every detail of life of its paratroopers for which he was authoritative. In the eyes of Gen. Heidrich counted three characteristics: camaraderie, physical fitness and professionalism. Since its soldiers required to prepare for all tasks: both soldier, Minesweeper and gunner. Every soldier must thoroughly familiar with all types of infantry weapons, ride horses, drive a car, skiing, or even play football. In a word had to be able to meet all situations. Defense sector had a wide at 13 km. episode which included: a parachute regiment of riflemen, numbering 660 men, 3 regiments Parachute Rifle numbering 800 men, four parachute regiments of riflemen, numbering 1,160 men, machine guns and a battalion numbering 185 people . Protected the position of German machine guns, grenade launchers 50 mm and 81 mm mortars . Dangerous weapon were also antitank PAK 43 (for four-bed) and PAK 43/41 (105mm howitzer on the bed.) The basic version of this magnificent work of 88 mm p-Panc weighed a little over 4.3 tons, and its resonance was 4 miles. From a distance of one kilometer the purpose of the work PAK 43 is easily pierced the heavy armor of tanks. By gunners were called "Scheunetor" (barn doors). Paratroopers German also had a specific type of helmet, otherwise (though similar) a bit from the stereotypical "stahlhelmu. Trump weapons manufactured solely for the German parachute troops were FG 42 automatic rifles, about twenty-of cartridge magazine placed "on the side" gun. Sami soldiers of the 1st German Parachute Division called "Green devils" . They were real virtuosos, and to cover their iron morale.
first assault on Monte Cassino began 17.01.1944r. The first attack punctually at 21.00 UK 10 body. British Maj. 5. Infantry began forcing Garigliano River to the north of the highway. 7, and at the rear of the German 94 Division had landed a small landing. But bad weather meant that the designated items ended up only a small part of the British boat. As a result of 5-Gen. Infantry Minturno seized the town, and Tremensuoli Tuffo. To the right of 5-Gen. Infantry acted 56-Gen. Infantry, who broke the German resistance 276 Infantry Regiment. Thanks 10 British Corps took an important foothold on the Garigliano River, but on Jan. 20, 1910 The body was stopped by four German divisions from the Army in 1910 Hans Vietinghoffa . At the same time into action 2 U.S. Corps . Americans fought against 15 Panzergrenadier Division supported artillery. It was not until 21 January at 18.00, 141 Infantry Regiment falls part of the 36 Division of the 2nd Corps , took defended beachhead on the River. However, the German army after several hours of fighting the American forces finally destroyed.
Jan. 24 began a new attack of the French Expeditionary Corps and the U.S. 34 Infantry Division. Germans put up fierce resistance. It was not until January 30 the Allies managed to take over part of the village of Cairo along the abutments. Attacks on British hills Colle, Miol, Monte San Angelo Castellone and allowed access to the monastery hill. The French and the landing of the U.S. assault 2 Corps, and the seizure of the hills of Belvedere, and ABAC. January 26 the French were the two hills at the expense of severe losses. British Maj. 34. managed to be as close as 300 meters from the hill the monastery, but the resistance was the German parachutists. As a result of large losses in 1934-Gen. was forced to pass into the nowozelandzkiemu scored two Corps.
15.02.1944, under the code name "Avenger" began the Second Battle of Monte Cassino. attack began 2 New Zealand Corps which included: 2 Gen. and New Zealand Infantry 4 Gen. Infantry Indian. Prior to attack the monastery was bombed, which was a tactical mistake, since the ruins of the monastery became a fortress impregnable. 2 also had the pressure off housing 6 Corps fighting in Anzio. In spite of continuous attacks against the Allies, and the heroism of Indian soldiers, the monastery could not be addressed. German Paratroopers easily repelled their attacks. Allied losses totaled 2,400 soldiers , and the front stabilized for a month.
03/15/1944 the operation began, "Dickens". third attack on Monte Cassino fell back 2 Cor. Nowozelandzkiemu. Support they give them American airmen. The area of \u200b\u200bthe town sent 500 bombers Cassino. The city with an area of \u200b\u200b2.5 km two bombs were dropped around 1000 (at a weight of 500 tonnes). By contrast, I might add here that the Germans during the campaign September dropped for the entire Lublin roughly 80 tons of bombs. Despite the bombing of the military 2 Cor. New Zealand still could not break the German resistance. Fighting continued until 24 March, at the cost of 4,500 soldiers Indian and New Zealand. During these three battles, the Allies had lost 53,120 soldiers , of \u200b\u200bwhich 8,340 are killed . However, Germany lost about 45,000 soldiers , but their losses were much more severe because they lacked additions.
March 24, the last day of the third battle, decision about who will attempt to attack the next hill . The lot fell on 2nd Polish Corps under General Wladyslaw Anders . The Poles on 24-27 March 1978 British relieved Gen. Infantry. Then, after the preparation of detailed plans for the attack, was preparing for battle.
on 11.05.1944 at 23.00, code-named "Diadem" began the fourth Battle of Monte Cassino. For 40 minutes over 1000 guns 5 and 8 Army shoot in German positions on the hill. At 23.45 the British Corps began pushing two rivers Gari and Rapido, while the Polish Corps artillery preparation lasted till 1.00 am. The first attack of Polish soldiers was sent to the spectrum. As the first troops hit Vilnius Brigade Col. 5. Vincent Hen. After the turn, stirred our individual battalions: 13, 1915 , 1918, which put a very strong resistance from German 2nd Battalion 100 Regiment mountain. After entering the spectrum, German artillery began to inflict heavy losses to the Poles, the Polish positions firing a massive fire. 18 Battalion lost communication with the commander, so he was forced to return to the starting positions. Seeing the crisis is over 5-Gen. Deputy Commander Col. . Klemens Rudnicki ordered a retreat of 13 and 15 battalions. Entered simultaneously to share a unit Carpathian Brigade under the command of Valentine Peszka . The task of a brig. Carpathian mountains was to address 593 and 569 and the seizure of throats. 2 Battalion took him to the hill designated 593 and 569, but the Germans May 12 recaptured by the Poles occupied the hill. 1st battalion, despite support 4 armored regiment called "scorpions" , failed to score Gorge. Poles after leaving the spectrum returned to the starting position. Poles had to make up the ammunition, so General Leese ordered the attack 1978 British Gen. Infantry. General Leese concluded that the Poles would move only when the body of a British 13 start of the offensive line in the direction of Pytchley road No. 6. May 15 it ordered the two began to share the Corps May 17 at 7.00. Anders decided that breaks through the German defense line in the belt of hills 575 and San Angelo, in order to establish communication with the body of the British. 5 Division would take the hills of San Angelo and 575 organizing the defense there. Then had to master the spectrum, and whether to refer some of their forces in the direction of Massa Albanetta. 3-Gen. 593,596,476 would consider creating a hill where the final line of defense against an attack on the monastery. Commanding 5th Gen. appointed Colonel. Rudnicki, who are assigned to battalion 13,15,16,17,18, a group of major. Wladyslaw Smrokowskiego consisting of companies and platoons assault commando regiment 15, and 4 armored regiment called "scorpions" . Tanks M4A1 "Sherman" of 4 Armoured Regiment have an indispensable aid to the attacking soldiers. Thanks to the breach in the German defense was controlled spectrum. Then in 1917 the battalion was sent to tackle the hills of San Angelo with the support of 13 Battalion and Major Groups. Smrokowskiego , but the attack did not bring the desired result. About 14.30 18 Battalion abolished Menace located in bunkers. Despite the massive German attack finally succeeded in 17 battalion and addressed the group Smrokowskiego northern slopes of San Angelo. May 17 4th battalion after heavy fighting has mastered the hill 593, which left only a few impregnable bunkers. The Gorge area of \u200b\u200bheavy fighting battalion fought 6 with armored regiment 4 . The German defense was largely destroyed now, especially in the northern slope. The Germans were largely bound by the fighting in the area of \u200b\u200bfarm Albanetta. Polish tanks drove up to a distance of 200 meters from the farm, which enabled them to fire into the hills 569 and 575th May 18 4th battalion destroyed bunkers remaining on the hill 593 and has mastered the hill 569th At 7.00 Albanetta farm was invaded by a battalion 6, and at 8.10 it entered the tanks. Within hours, found themselves on Massa Albanetta 5 battalion companies, which are then moved to the monastery . About 9.30 12 Regiment patrol headed by Lieutenant Gurbiel mastered the abandoned monastery hill. San Angelo has been captured by commandos at 19.30. 19 May at 7.10 in 1915 mastered the hill 575th Battalion In this way, the intractable 05/19/1944 massif of Monte Cassino, which facilitated the entry of two U.S. Army Corps to Rome. The hilltop monastery suspended Polish flag. As a sign of gratitude after the flag hung next to the Polish Great Britain. Polish losses amounted to 860 killed and 2,822 wounded.
Monte Cassino was captured. German paratroopers, fighting wycieczeni not repel the attack of the Poles. Many of them suffered from malaria, but the morale of the "green devils" were intact. Heidrich wrote in his diary: " was wonderful to see the enthusiasm with which everyone threw themselves into the struggle: the secretaries asked for an exemption to the office to get the assignment to combat units; drivers competed against each other in the zeal to provide branch everything they needed, the medical service gave proof of great devotion to save the wounded ". While defending the "Green Devils" destroyed many tanks of the Allies. After the battle Heidrich congratulated the success of the Poles.
Poles may owe its success to the wonderful layout details of the battle. Bestow special respect belong mainly General Anders but also deputy commander of the 2nd Corps Gen. Szyszko-Bohusz and 3rd Division commander Gen. Bronislaw Carpathian Spirit. Germany while on his account also had some success. One of the most famous feats was German owned Eckel Lieutenant Colonel and Kammermanna (of 2 Parachute Battalion, 4th Regiment.) Using several "Tellerminen" and anti-missile weapons, they managed to destroy six tanks light, and allow the destruction of 11 other striking for a monastery.
2nd Polish Corps soldiers deserve enormous credit. They deserve praise, not only for the same victory at Monte Cassino, but for an honorable defeat Airborne Division. Polish tactical thought, determination and desire to win has helped the soldiers of General Anders in the defeat of the German superbly trained elite parachute division. Monte Cassino was a decisive victory for the Polish, contrary to the dominant Until recently, the propaganda of the west, the alleged "American success in this battle. The Poles II Corps of General Anders defeated the Green Devils', not U.S. allies, the elite" Rangers "were mowing the German paratroopers like a mindless mass of the Bolshevik revolutionaries .
text is as I said my old school work, which unfortunately I could not fully present because of limitations on the lessons of history. It is prepared based on several historical publications in journals placed on World War II. In addition, I completed all the details of the equipment of several soldiers.
the National greeting,
Piotr Marek
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