Canadian WWII Tour: Monte Cassino & The Liri Valley

Embark on a journey through pivotal World War Two sites where Canadian Forces made a significant contribution during the Italian Campaign. This itinerary covers the key locations from Cassino to Frosinone, highlighting historic battlefields and memorials. It offers a comprehensive overview of the Canadian advance, honoring their bravery and sacrifice during one of the toughest campaigns of WWII.

If you have a family member who served in Italy, I offer personalized tours based on war records, regimental diaries, and maps. We will walk the very ground where they fought — creating a powerful and emotional connection to their legacy.

Breaking the Hitler Line

The Hitler Line (also known as the Senger Line) was a heavily fortified German defensive line behind the Gustav Line. It stretched from Pontecorvo to Aquino and was reinforced with concrete bunkers, minefields, barbed wire, and anti-tank obstacles. German units of the 1st Parachute Division and 90th Panzergrenadier Division held these positions with determination.

On May 23, 1944, Canadian forces of the 1st Infantry Division and 5th Armoured Division spearheaded Operation Chesterfield to break the line. After intense fighting and high casualties, the line was breached within 48 hours — opening the Liri Valley for the Allied advance toward Rome.

WWII Tour: from Cassino to Frosinone

• Monte Cassino Abbey – Visit the rebuilt abbey destroyed in 1944 and later reconstructed. Learn about its symbolic role and the battles surrounding it.
• Commonwealth War Cemetery (Cassino) – Pay tribute to over 800 Canadian soldiers buried here in one of the most solemn places of remembrance in Italy.
• Pignataro Interamna – Canadian staging area before the assault on the Hitler Line. Explore the terrain and tactical positioning of the units.
• Pontecorvo – The town where the main Canadian attack broke through the Hitler Line after heavy bombardment and urban combat.
• Aquino – Key objective for Canadian armored units, supporting the right flank and clearing the road to the Melfa River.
• Melfa River Crossing – Stand at the site where Major John Mahony of the Westminster Regiment earned the Victoria Cross on May 24, 1944, for holding a critical bridgehead under intense German fire. This heroic action is one of the most celebrated in Canadian military history.
• Ceprano, Pofi, Torrice & Crossroads – Towns entered by Canadian reconnaissance and infantry as German forces retreated. Key sites of patrol activity in late May and June.
• Arnara & Frosinone – Final stops along the Canadian route before rejoining Allied units pushing toward Rome. Frosinone was entered in early June 1944.
• Liri Valley War Museum – Exhibits documenting the battles in the valley, including Canadian equipment and civilian testimonies.

Personalized WWII Tour

If your relative served in the Italian Campaign, I can research and reconstruct their service using Canadian war records and operational maps. Tours can follow their precise movements and include relevant cemeteries, memorials, and archives.

Tour Details

• Duration – Full-day (approx. 6 hours)
• Language – English
• Transportation – Air-conditioned van with onboard monitor
• Multimedia – Archival footage, veteran interviews, and maps presented during the tour
• Refreshments – Cold water and snacks provided

Ortona Extension

This tour can be combined with the Ortona Canadian Battlefield Tour for a full journey through Italy’s most symbolic Canadian battlefields. Walk through Ortona’s war-torn streets, the Moro River valley, and pay homage to those who gave their lives in the name of freedom.

Contact & Booking

BOOK THIS TOUR
Contact Dr. Danila Bracaglia to reserve your private WWII battlefield tour.

Email: danila.bracaglia@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +39 338 2458831