Thomas F. (hardtack) -
The destruction of Monte Cassino has continually been argued over whether it was necessary, even before it happened. This book finally tells the truth. While the Allies made a major mistake in destroying the abbey, the Germans were also playing a double game when they claimed they were "preserving historic culture" and were nowhere near the abbey. However, the bombings never killed a single German.
The ones who paid the price were the soldiers on both sides, especially of the Allies, and the monks and civilians who took refuge in the abbey. While no one came off faultless, the main blame for the abbey's destruction belongs to the British, in the persons of the commanders of the New Zealand and Indian divisions.
Plus, this is just more evidence that American General Mark Clark should never have been given the responsibility he had during the fighting in Italy. The French commander General Juin was finally proved right in his belief that the abbey needed to be taken from the rear, as that is what eventually happened. The abbey was never taken by assault, the Germans simply abandoned it when Allied forces in other areas threatened the German supply lines.
While the story starts off slow, the pace quickly speeded up and became a page turner for me. I particularly enjoyed the final pages when the authors relate what veterans of this battle did after the war to settle some mistruths and extend the hand of friendship.
The ones who paid the price were the soldiers on both sides, especially of the Allies, and the monks and civilians who took refuge in the abbey. While no one came off faultless, the main blame for the abbey's destruction belongs to the British, in the persons of the commanders of the New Zealand and Indian divisions.
Plus, this is just more evidence that American General Mark Clark should never have been given the responsibility he had during the fighting in Italy. The French commander General Juin was finally proved right in his belief that the abbey needed to be taken from the rear, as that is what eventually happened. The abbey was never taken by assault, the Germans simply abandoned it when Allied forces in other areas threatened the German supply lines.
While the story starts off slow, the pace quickly speeded up and became a page turner for me. I particularly enjoyed the final pages when the authors relate what veterans of this battle did after the war to settle some mistruths and extend the hand of friendship.
