Monte Cassino: Ten Armies in Hell

by Peter Caddick-Adams

The five-month Monte Cassino campaign in central Italy is one of the best-known European land battles of World War Two, alongside D-Day and Stalingrad. It has a particular resonance now, because Cassino, with its multitude of participating armies - most notably the American 5th Army under the controversial General Mark Clark - was perhaps the campaign of the Second World War that most closely anticipates the coalition operations of today, with its ever-shifting cast of players stuck in inhospitable, mountainous terrain, pursuing an objective set by unknowing politicians in distant capitals, where victory is difficult to define.

Monte Cassino was characterised by the destruction of its world famous Abbey: in retrospect, considered an unjustifiable act of cultural vandalism by the allies.The audit trail of decision-making to destroy an icon as well known then as the Eiffel Tower or Lincoln Memorial, is a chilling reminder that similar decisions are still being made in Iraq and Afghanistan and indeed Libya. To this day, reversing normal prejudice, German troops are welcome in the abbey, having rescued its treasures from allied destruction in February 1944.

Cassino was an unusual campaign for World War II in that its outcome was not reliant on sweeping movements or the use of tanks or aircraft - but by old-fashioned boots in the mud, whether capturing the town of Cassino after months of grinding urban warfare (a Stalingrad in miniature) or scrambling up the steep mountain to seize the heights and the religious complex on top of Monte Cassino.

Monte Cassino Abbey was painstakingly rebuilt after the war (its baroque chapel remains incomplete) and is now a World Heritage site. An hour south of Rome, it is visited each year by up to one million tourists and pilgrims from around the world.

Reviews:
"Peter Caddick-Adams's exceptional Monte Cassino: Ten Armies in Hell is a study in the challenges and possibilities of coalition warfare...Following the style of Richard Holmes and Max Hastings, Monte Cassino includes lucid analyses of high-level operational and strategic matters as well as choice quotes from the poor bloody infantry." --The Wall Street Journal

"Comprehensive and very well researched, Monte Cassino: Ten Armies in Hell is an important addition to our understanding of the ghastly campaign for central Italy in World War II." --Rick Atkinson, author of the Liberation Trilogy

"A superb account of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. There is no shortage of histories of the agonizingly drawn-out debacle at Monte Cassino, but this is certainly one of the best." --Kirkus Reviews (starred)

"Caddick-Adams uses the events of the battle to tell the stories of the armies that bled out around Cassino. His particular strength is his treatment of combat dynamics on both sides of the fighting line, from division headquarters to foxholes. This book is a learning experience for anyone interested in World War II on any level." --Dennis Showalter, former President of the American Society for Military History and author of Tannenberg: Clash of Empires, 1914

"Peter Caddick-Adams has brought highly perceptive and much-needed fresh analysis to this new account of the Cassino battles. Both authoritative and compellingly written, his immense knowledge and understanding of the Second World War exudes from every page. It will unquestionably remain the standard text on this bloody episode of the war for many years to come." --James Holland, author of Dam Busters

"Peter Caddick-Adams has produced a thoughtful treatment of a crucial period of the Italian campaign. It should be read by anyone with an interest in the Second World War." --Military History Monthly

Genres: History, Military History, World War II, Nonfiction, War, Military Fiction, Italy

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Peter Caddick-Adams is a lecturer in military history and current defense issues at the UK Defence Academy. He is the author of Monte Cassino: Ten Armies in Hell and Monty and Rommel: Parallel Lives. He holds the rank of major in the British Territorial Army and has served with U.S. forces in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Reviews

[Jonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable, but pleasantly in-depth, account of the initially mismanaged, costly struggle for the important lynchpin of German defences in central Italy in the first half of 1944. Drawing heavily on personal accounts, and backed up with serious research, the book describes the attacks on the Gustav Line and places them in the context of the muddled strategy in Italy.

Mr Carrick-Adams provides some interesting insights into the battles in the Liri Valley, bringing to the fore the efforts of the Italian forces in the campaign, first as supply troops, dealing with both enemy forces and the intransigence of their pack mules (this is the only book on World War Two I've read which gives any credit to the humble mule, the only way to effectively move supplies through the Italian mountains at the time) and then in a more belligerent role, although it's a shame that there wasn't any information about the activities of the Italian SAS unit that was formed. He's also fill of praise for the French forces which were in action, the only specialist mountain troops fielded by the Allies in theatre (military intelligence eh?) who, pleasingly,weren't afraid too call a spade a spade:

When Juin selected Général Joseph de Monsabert to lead the new assault, he responded: ‘Storm Belvedere? Who’s dreamed up that one? Have they looked at it? You’d have to first cross two rivers, the Rapido and the Secco, then smash through the Gustav Line in the valley, and finally, all the time attacking the Bosche, climb more than 2,000 feet over a bare rock pile, itself heavily fortified, that can be fired on from Cifalco and the rest of the summits round that. It’s pure wishful thinking! It’s a crazy gamble!’

The Battles for the town of Cassino and the controversial bombing of the Monastery are covered in excellent detail. There's an excellent discussion of the way the original requirements for the bombing mission were amended and watered down; it's an interesting "what if" to consider the effects of the unleashing of even a small portion of a blockbuster armed Bomber Command against the German positions, rather than the fortress creating tickling actually inflicted.

The tensions which grew in the Allied command, the unfortunate division of effort between Cassino and the bridgehead at Anzio and General Mark Clark's determination to have U.S. forces carry the victory and liberate Rome at the expense of actually obeying orders and easing further passage up the Italian peninsula;

Unfortunately, the exact purpose of Anzio was open to interpretation. Alexander at 15th Army Group (under pressure from Churchill) had issued a directive to Clark on 3 January which read that his Fifth Army was ‘to carry out an assault landing [in the] vicinity of Rome with the object of cutting the enemy lines of communication and threatening the rear of German 14 Corps’. Clear and simple; or was it? Clark immediately interpreted this with a different emphasis, recording: ‘I intend to attack in greatest possible strength in the Liri valley several days in advance of Shingle with the object of drawing maximum number of enemy reserves to that front and fixing them there. In that way and in that way only can the Shingle force exercise a decisive influence in the operation to capture Rome.’ The altered emphasis towards Rome was important – though Alexander let this pass – for Clark knew that once D-Day was under way, whatever his Fifth Army achieved in Italy would no longer be front-page news: all were aware that the deciding event in the European war would be a landing and offensive against the main German stronghold in the west. With the nose of a politician, Clark therefore hoped to be in Rome before his friend Eisenhower invaded Normandy as a way of achieving some prominence before Operation Overlord began. So as early as 2 January in Clark’s mind (if in no one else’s), the operation to dislodge the Germans on the Gustav Line by threatening their rear had morphed into an attempt to seize Rome.

In all, I'm not sure you'll find a better, more succinct book on the battles for the Gothic Line than this one, mules and all. And a volcano, and Spike Milligan.

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is ~13 years old long enough to call this account of the battle for Cassino and the road to Rome a ‘classic’?

“Looking back as they passed through the city and on to war, the lipstick-splattered, helmeted soldiers of Fifth and Eighth Armies saw the dome of St Peter’s Basilica, seat of the papacy, and the Colosseum, the heart of ancient Rome. These old buildings had witnessed the comings and goings of countless popes and generals through the upheavals of Italian history; some arrived as conquerors, others as liberators. General Mark Clark was merely the latest in a long line of foreign visitors who would be rendered insignificant by the antiquity of the city and its noble monuments.

It was the great old amphitheatre that beckoned to Charles Dickens, one night on his grand tour, a hundred years earlier. ‘I had seen it by moonlight before (I could never get through a day without going back to it), but its tremendous solitude that night is past all telling. The ghostly pillars in the Forum; the Triumphal Arches of Old Emperors; these enormous masses of ruins which were once their palaces; the grass-grown mounds that mark the graves of ruined temples; the stones of the Via Sacra, smooth with the tread of feet in ancient Rome; even these were dimmed, in their transcendent melancholy, by the dark ghost of its bloody holidays, erect and grim; haunting the old scene; despoiled by pillaging Popes and fighting Princes.”

[Mike Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The battles of Monte Cassino were part of the Allied march through Italy during WWII. Often overshadowed by the great invasion at Normandy, these battles were both diversionary and essential in the Allied cause. It is a work of meticulous preparation and research. Indeed, the last 30% of the book is devoted to exhaustive Footnotes, Bibliography and Index.

The writing is chronological and is infused with quotations from survivors, memoirs, personal interviews and existing accounts. It should be appreciated as a welcome addition to the small, often forgotten theaters of WWII for its readability, thoroughness and bibliographical content. This is a must read for any history buff, and especially those interested in WWII.

This was reviewed as an e-book as a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Sally Wragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not in the habit of reading military books but my dad fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino so when I came across this book in my local library, I thought I ought to read it. I know a little about his experiences of course though he didn't talk about it much. I know that he and his fellow soldiers were often so hungry, they stole water melons from the fields and eggs from local farmers and that they were left alone for days, wandering on the mountain-side around Monte Cassino, without instruction from the powers that be, easy prey to a sniper's bullet. The book doesn't dwell on the horrors though they're there in plenty. It concentrates instead on facts and details and in particular, the individual battles that led to the capture of Monte Cassino, thus opening up the route to Rome for Allied forces. It also highlights the horrendous conditions the troops suffered, the constant shelling and the brutal nature of the fighting, the bitter freezing cold and the wretched terrain over which the men were expected to operate. It was an iconic battle but also a controversial one, given it led to the bombing of the monastery above the town of Monte Cassino, an act of war that Hitler turned into a propaganda triumph.
My dad used to recount the tale of how he once sheltered from enemy fire in a graveyard and that a grave nearby was hit by artillery fire. As he looked up, the fully dressed skeleton of an old man sailed across his head. He used to laugh when he told us this but they were just young men at the time and would have to cultivate a black humour to cope with all they had to face.
All I have left of his time in the army is his commandos badge with its iconic little dagger enclosed by the words 'united we conquer'. I'm glad I've read the book and know more now of exactly what he went through. I wish he was still here so I could tell him how proud I am of him.

[Antonio Bernarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Italian theathre of the Second World War is often overlookes by other major events, but the Battle of Monte Cassink should be studied in dept and is a testament and homage to the armies of many nations putting common good ahead for the sake of all. I recomend this book.

[Wave Pilot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preety boring

[Michael Confoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read dedicated to Cassino and one of several on the combined Cassino/Anzio campaign. The book brings an unique perspective to the battle by focusing on how the the various Armies were successful or not successful. Of particular interest was the success of the French under Juin and the Polish Corps that finally took Monte Cassino. Caddick-Adams is much friendlier to British General Harold Alexander than most historians. There is also a nice focus on the 8th Army's breakthrough up the Liri Valley. We know that Churchill liked Alexander, but the author considers him to have similar skills to Eisenhower as a diplomat general. The author also goes easy on American General Mark Clark's decision to take Rome and deliberately disobey orders by not cutting off the retreating German 10th Army. Caddick-Adams notes that there was no guarantee of trapping the 10th Army which seems to be a spurious argument for disobeying orders.

Interesting Facts
Nearly 15,000 mules were used during the campaign as they proved the only reliable means of bringing supplies up and the injured and dead down from the mountains.

The Germans would mount a revolving Panther turret, called a Pantherturm, to a concrete bunker in the Gustav line. One killed 17 Allied tanks in 3 days, the Pantherturm leader actually becoming a "tank ace."

Because of such a lack of food in Naples, it is estimated that 42,000 women out of 150,000 engaged in regular or part-time prostitution.

[Jack London · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Caddick-Adams, is a history of the Allied attempts to break out of the Neapolitan beachheads to penetrate the Gustav line in 1944, a wrenching and not-oft-told account of the Italian campaign that resulted, on the one hand, in the fall of Rome and, on the other hand, of the unnecessary destruction of Christendom’s oldest and most revered monastery, the Benedictine abbey that since AD 539 had stood high above the Liri Valley. Americans, Texans certainly, know the history from the perspective of the suicidal attempt to cross the Rapido River that destroyed the 36th Infantry Division, hand in glove with the tragic landings at Anzio. Caddick-Adams writes the entire account of the British, French, Polish, Indian, and German units as well as paying full homage to the Fifth US Army. It is a fine book. The only drawback is the pardonable difficulty in keeping all the numbered and nicknamed units sorted out as you turn page after page. The only thing he is not is Rick Atkinson. 90 watts, or more.

[Matt Caris · Rating 1 out of 5]

The narrative of the battle is fine, but this is a seriously lacking book. For anyone going to Cassino (the only reason I slogged through it), the lack of maps makes it a poor guide. For any audience, though, the author’s terrible analysis - conjectures, really - about command decisions are unbearable. Especially for an American audience. Montgomery’s “incredible march” from Calabria didn’t save the Salerno landing - reporters attached to Eighth Army grew so frustrated at Monty’s glacial pace that they took off in jeeps ahead of the Eighth Army and reached the beachhead on their own. The X Corps attack across the Galigiardo wasn’t so successful that Clark could have reinforced it and cancelled all II Corps attacks on the Rapido. And on and on. Errors and faulty analysis abound.

This is a battle narrative, not a piece of scholarship. Perhaps that was my mistake, not the author’s, but this was painful to slog through regardless.

[Patrick Pillow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Caddick-Adams’ prose and the depth to his works; Monte Cassino is no different. While I knew a few general details about the aura surrounding the Monte Cassino battle, this was the first book I had read that details the four month struggle for the position.

This book left me questioning the sensibility of continuing offensive action on the Italian front after June 1944. One has to question the leadership of Clark, Alexander and Freyberg, while lauding the efforts of Juin, Senger and Kesselring. The German effort on the Italian front must be lauded; in essence, it was they who held down the Allies, not the other way around.

For those interested in the human story of the “Forgotten Front” of World War Two, Caddick-Adams does a brilliant job of canvassing all 10 armies deployed in that Mediterranean hell.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't yet read a lot of this type of history, but I can't imagine there's a better example out there. The author tells the story compellingly, fairly, and thoroughly -- without driving into minutiae: when we needed to know which sub-element of which force did what, we also knew why he was telling us that.

This was a great look at the battles for Monte Cassino, with some looks at the larger Italian campaign / race for Rome, with a few tidbits about Anzio for context. It really is a focused look at Monte Cassino and it does a great job at that. Interestingly, I found it really made me want to visit Monte Cassino and other areas associated with the campaign.

Other thoughts prompted by the book:
* Americans maybe think of WW2 only in the context of Normandy and the race to Berlin (HBO "Band of Brothers") -- the Italian campaign had not just Americans and British, but also French, North African, Polish, South Asian, Subsaharan African, Kiwi, etc., troops. This was the first I'd read in detail of their contributions. Fascinating!

* The Germans had an incredibly capable Army in Italy and were great at implementing defensive positions and, at least at first, in strengthening those positions. It seems we won, such as we did, only because of our overwhelming numbers and materiel -- not because we were the stronger or smarter force.

* The egos of the main Allied leaders really got in the way of success. Rushing to Rome ("I got here first!!!") possibly cost the opportunity to capture a large part of the German army in Italy. Also, the inability to overcome ego then meant that instead of working together, we pushed against the German forces in two uncoordinated thrusts instead of one joint action; the Germans relatively easily handled the divided forces

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monte Cassino, most people have heard of it but was it? 'It's a battle for a casino on top of a hill isn't it'? Generally most people can say they've heard of monte Cassino but can't tell you what it is. This book does that In a epic style and is a must read for anyone with a internet in the war.

Exceptionally well written account of the war in Italy. It's not exciting and gripping but well researched and informative. That paints a very good picture of the battles.

Covering the build up and battle for monte cassino. As well as the aftermath battles that take place on the road to Rome.

The book captures points of view from all the major divisions in the theater, UK, french, polish, US and Indian armies. Explaining about how each nation played their part In the battle. Its amazing how many actual units take part in this battle.

I generally enjoyed the book and it's certainly made this aspect of the war a little more clearer. Really interesting subject.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The D-DAY invasion is perhaps the most famous Allied campaign of WWII in Europe. What helped keep the German Army was the earlier invasion of Italy.

Caddick-Adams' book follows the Allies from North Africa and on the to European continent through Italy. In what should have been an easy advance, intended to slice the German Army in two, instead became a slugfest, as slow and deadly as Iwo Jima or Okinawa in the Pacific. Ten Allied armies stymied by the incredibly complex and well-designed German defense, under the leadership of Field Marshal "Smiling Albert" Kesselring, fought bravely making the Allies pay for every yard of ground gained.

Another great read from Peter Caddick-Adams. Highly recommended.

[Sue Chaplin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for two reasons; firstly it was given to me as a present and secondly I am interested in the battle(s) of Monte Cassino because my stepfather had fought in the battle having been in North Africa.
I do confess I thought the book would be harder going than it was but I found it an interesting, revealing read but still struggle to imagine my gentle stepfather as a part of it all. I learnt a lot from the read, the involvement of all the different nationalities was fascinating and something that should be better understood, from the Polish to the Indians and including the Italians who by that time were fighting on the Allied side.

[Brett Bosley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good account of a dramatic segment of a forgotten front. Focus on the highly multinational* makeup of the Allied forces is appreciated. I wanted to sample the author's work, and this was the sole offering. I'd read more - UK/Commonwealth is scarce in the US.

*UK, US, France, New Zealand, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Brazil, Greece, Poland, Senegal, Nepal, Swaziland, Mauritius, the Seychelles, South Africa, Canada, India (including today's Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan), and eastern European and Palestinian Jews.

[Paul Silles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The campaign is so fascinating that it’s hard not to enjoy the book. However, the writing leaves to be desired. Also, good maps are lacking and unless you are willing to use online resources or an Osprey volume, you tend to get lost because of the sheer number of units and places mentioned. Could a better book have been produced for the same topic? Definitely. On the other hand, if nothing else is available and you want to read about Cassino, you’ll get some enjoyment.

[Simon Mee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In theory, the mix was to ‘stiffen’ Indian troops, but in practice the latter often out-performed their European colleagues — in fitness and in valour.

Monte Cassino: Ten Armies in Hell (I never actually counted to check there were ten) is an excellent overview of the difficulties of coalition warfare. Nine of those armies were on the Allied side, making for a potentially muddled narrative if mishandled. Caddick-Adams keeps everything in a clear sequence of events (allowing him to split by nationality), and combines the distinctiveness of each nationality with an overview of how they (with difficulty) worked together.

The below covers some general points that reflects Caddick-Adams’ strengths.

Integration

In terms of their ability to haul everything from food, water and medicine to ammunition, batteries and weapons up — and the dead and wounded down — the phrase ‘stubborn as a mule’ acquired a new, comforting meaning.

I have complimented Caddick-Adams’ humanity in his story telling before and, while it is present here, this book is more of a protean version of it, as the book is mainly focused on the combatants and the operational/tactical dispositions. It’s not an outright criticism, more that Monte Cassino is an earlier stage of Caddick-Adams’ development as a writer. There is still plenty there and he is better at integrating eye-witness accounts than normal World War Two writing– it feels less like a box to be ticked to add validity to the narrative.

Caddick-Adams devotes a significant section to mules. Nothing particularly special there, in that adding colour is pretty common in World War II books. Where Caddick-Adams goes further is that he links into the logistical snarl ups the Allies face. Roads are limited and determine the offensive direction. Access to mules impacts the offensives at Monte Cassino. Logistical issues (along with poor planning) prevent the Allies from fully exploiting their advance up the Liri valley. The sidebars fit smoothly into the theme rather than just slice of life pieces that, while good to know in terms of immersion, do not drive the main story. Caddick-Adams did a similar thing with the Red Ball Express and the Ardennes offensive – he knows how logistics works beyond a remarkable story or two.

Immersion

No other campaign in Europe pulled in the same range of nationalities and cultures as that in Italy. The brutality and nature of the fighting at times reached the worst extremes of the Russian front, while the attrition rates often exceeded those of the Western Front.

I have read some criticisms about accuracy on certain technical aspects, though I do not consider such criticisms unusual of any book. I would say (a), I would probably need to see citations on that before I lend credence to them and (b):

I think that misses the forest for the trees.

The Allies had to cross rivers. They had to climb mountains. They had to do it against heavily engineered defences. They had to do it in winter. They had to compete with the demands of not only the upcoming Normandy landings, but the pending invasion of Southern France. Oh, and they had a coalition of forces that agreed with the end goal but not much else. All those elements are conveyed by Caddick-Adams in a way that is organic to the narrative. That is not to be underestimated for, compared to Divided on D-Day (for example), when Caddick-Adams credits or criticises command decisions, they fit better within the context of the story. You get a better impression of what may have been achievable.

With the failure of his division’s attempt to cross the river, and ease the forthcoming attack of the Texans, Hawkesworth at least had the decency to go over to 36th Division’s HQ and apologise in person for the failure, offering to provide one of his battalions to support the Texans’ attack. Their commander was unmoved: The British are the world’s greatest diplomats, he wrote in his diary; ‘but you can’t count on them for anything but words.'

The Allies “win” at Monte Cassino in an incomplete way that allows us to draw lessons from it. Whether coalition warfare on this scale will ever happen again is unknown, but Monte Cassino provides a few pointers.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Enjoyed the narrative flow and level of detail was just what I was looking for.

Only downside were the maps...Simply not enough detail. There were a number of key places/points mentioned within the book that were not represented on any maps.

[Kyle Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Caddick Adams is easily one of my favourite historians. Full of incredible insight and knowledge and all round a wonderful historian and a true gent. This book is the perfect blend of the numbers, the grand strategy amd the human experience of the war. Read this book!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maps are significant to understanding events such as this book recounts. In this case, additional maps would add to the understanding of the richly detailed events. Author gives credit to the different nationalities that contributed to the campaign even though history has not.

[Robert Drumheller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well documented as it reveals the physical hardships that often occur in times of war.

[Mark Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and informative. A book I didn't want to put down.

[Bob Stenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a slow read but a great read about Monte Cassino battles in WWII.

[Colin Lyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and atmospheric account of a complex battle.

[Paul Pryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interlaces well with any materials on the battle of Crete or North Africa

[Igor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read about anything from the Italian Campaign, and only my second about the German West-Front. Caddick-Adams explains clearly how and why the Allies came to face the Germans on the Gustav-Line, and why they wanted to break through at Monte Cassino. The writing blends eyewitness accounts with tactical considerations from both sides.

What he says about Alexander's great diplomatic skills can also be applied to himself. He shows all the nationalities fighting on the Cassino Front as equally brave, strong, resilient, and human under hellish conditions. Bitter cold at the beginning, bare rocks, having to rely on mules for transport, the summer heat, dust. He gives credit where it is due, for example the title of chapter 10: Poland the Brave. Likewise, he doesn't convicts Clarck's decision of pushing for Rome, in stead off driving to Valmonte in the hope of trapping the escaping German Tenth Army.

Central, of course, is the bombing of the Cassino Abbey and a month later the Cassino Town. Caddick-Adams tells of both sides of the bombing-discussion. He continues with the capture of the abbey and breaching the Gustav-Line and the pursuit through the Liri-Valley. Finally reaching Rome. Where other auteurs are often distracted with writing pages that read like: "Meanwhile, at the Führerbunker, Hitler is having a heated debate with [...]", Caddick-Adams stick to the topic at hand and rarely talks above division levels.
Caddick-Adams could have said the same as this quote from Alexander: "No other troops in the world but German paratroops could have stood up to such an ordeal and then gone on fighting with such ferocity."

Also important for a (military) history books are the maps. I liked that all six are right at first pages of the book. These maps are as clear as I find his writing, giving enough information for one who starts reading about the Italian/ Cassino campaign, without pushing towards unneccesary details.

[Rory Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

A richly detailed history that succeeds on many fronts, mainly the one you can see in its title: it puts the World in World War II, describing the soldiers from many different nationalities. I'd read a book about the Gurkhas before but had not been so aware of the Polish effort.

The description of the physical terrain and climate conditions was also essential. There was also much insight into the generals' personalities and battle strategies and tactics.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-researched history that expertly balances the strategic and tactical, the lowly private and famed general. Sometimes the chronological timeline gets a little lost, and there were frequently sentences with awkward, fragmented phrasing - sloppy editing more likely than writing. Overall a solid history, especially as a great intro to the italian theatre.

[Paweł Sobiegraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Po prostu rewelacja.

Jedna z najlepiej napisanych książek historycznych jaką miałem przyjemność przeczytać.
Z dokładnością do najmniejszego szczegółu została opisana cała tzw. kampania Cassino.
Co najważniejsze bardzo dobrze jest opisany kontekst w jakim toczyły się te działania.
Polecam! :)

[Damon Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about a tough battle fought by a multi-national force in horrible conditions.