On the 18th May 1944 the Allied Forces finally succeeded in liberating Monte Cassino after the many months of fighting. The Germans had already begun their retreat towards Sora and aimed to fall back to another defence line known as the Winter Line. Before moving out they had blown up the bridge in Ponte Melfa and planted many deadly land mines in the area.
New Zealand forces lead by General Freyberg, battled their way up from Cassino to the small village of Belmonte Castello and then headed onwards towards Atina. Any existing German soldiers were rounded up and taken prisoner.
At long last Atina was freed from German occupation by New Zealand troops on the 27th May 1944.
Thanks to Louise Shapcott
One reply on “The Liberation of Atina By The New Zealand Forces”
Una historia molto interessante che non conosceva…