MONTE CAMINO WWII TOUR
A journey through one of the hardest-fought British battles in southern Italy, across mountain ridges, memorials, and forgotten wartime routes.
Following the Salerno landings in September 1943, the Allies began a slow and bloody advance through the mountains of southern Italy. The German defensive system known as the Winter Line — including the Bernhardt and Gustav Lines — blocked the road to Rome with fortified positions on key peaks such as Monte Camino, Monte la Difensa, and Monte Sambucaro.
Monte Camino was one of the strongest German strongholds in the region, defended by the 15. Panzergrenadier Division. Between November and December 1943, British forces launched two major offensives to capture the summit. Steep slopes, exposed ridgelines, and freezing rain made the attacks extremely difficult. Casualties were heavy.
This tour retraces the steps of the British regiments who fought for Monte Camino and the surrounding Winter Line. It also highlights the story featured in the ITV documentary My Grandad’s War, where Gary Lineker uncovered his grandfather’s role as a medical orderly at a dressing station near Sipicciano. Historian Dr. Danila Bracaglia contributed research and interpretation for the production.
TOUR ITINERARY – FULL-DAY EXPERIENCE
- Monte Camino – 201st Guards Brigade Memorial – Learn about the elite Guards Brigade’s initial assault in November 1943. The memorial overlooks the valley and honors those who fell on the ridge during the first attack.
- Grenadier Guards Path – Follow the trail taken by the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. The steep path reveals the tactical difficulties of moving under fire in mountainous terrain.
- Second Attack Sector – December Offensive – Visit the battlefield area where the 56th (London) Division renewed the attack in early December. This phase involved artillery support, night movement, and storming German trenches.
- Dressing Station in Sipicciano – Explore the site used as a British medical post, later featured in Gary Lineker’s BBC documentary (Historian Dr. Danila Bracaglia). A moving stop tied to the personal stories of care under fire.
- Museum of Mignano Montelungo – Discover wartime artifacts and Italian accounts of the battles along the Winter Line. Includes exhibits on British, American, and German forces in the area.
TAILOR-MADE EXPERIENCES
Each tour can be personalized to follow the service of a specific family member or regiment. Using war diaries and archival research, I can reconstruct the unit’s exact route and actions in this sector. It’s also possible to combine this tour with nearby sites such as San Pietro Infine, Monte Lungo, or the Liri Valley battlefield.
MULTIMEDIA ONBOARD
The tour includes comfortable travel in a Mercedes 9-seater van, equipped with air conditioning and a large onboard screen. During the tour, you’ll watch historical footage, maps, and veterans’ interviews to connect each site to its wartime context.
BRITISH UNITS THAT FOUGHT AT MONTE CAMINO
First Attack – November 1943
- 201st Guards Brigade
- 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards
- 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards
- 1st Battalion, Scots Guards
- 7th Armoured Division (support elements)
Second Attack – December 1943
- 56th (London) Infantry Division
- 1/6th and 1/7th Battalions, Queen's Royal
- 2/5th Battalion, Queen's Royal
- 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
- 201st Guards Brigade (again involved)
- Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery
CONTACT & BOOKING
Contact Dr. Danila Bracaglia for a custom battlefield tour focused on the British fight for Monte Camino and the Winter Line.
Email: danila.bracaglia@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +39 338 2458831