The coming of spring in 1944 heralded a new Allied offensive in Italy.

The goal was still to break the Gustav line and liberate the country, yes,

but now also to draw German resources and detention away from Normandy.

Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

Music Episode Episode 429, The Fall of Rome.

Today I want to return to the Italian front.

The last time we looked in on events there was in episode 416 when I told you about the amphibious

landings near the Italian town of Anzio and the Allied offensive of January through March of 1944.

This offensive failed in its goal, which was to break through the German defensive line,

known as the Gustav line,

and is notable today mostly for the awful decision to bomb the historic monastery at Monte Cassino,

because somebody thought the Germans might be there. They weren't, but it was full of civilians seeking refuge.

The bombing destroyed the monastery and killed about 200 of those civilians.

After the survivors fled the site, the German army then moved into the ruins and used them as a defensive position.

The Italian front, including the beachhead at Anzio, remained relatively quiet for the following three months, as both sides rebuilt and resupplied their frontline units.

Here the Allies had an advantage, because they now had air supremacy over Italy, and they used it to make

it impossible for the Germans to move soldiers or supplies by day. The Allies faced no such

obstacle in building up their own forces, including strengthening the force on the Anzio Beachhead.

The original landing force was one American division and one British

division. By May 1944, it had become five American divisions and three British divisions,

totaling 150,000 soldiers, with five German divisions opposing them. But the Germans were defending the Gustav line

with skill and tenacity, and months of bloody, inconclusive fighting had sapped allied morale. Both the

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