Monte Cassino & The Gustav Line: In the Footsteps of the British 8th Army

MONTE CASSINO BRITISH 8TH ARMY TOUR

Breaking the Gustav Line – May 1944

Discover the heroic efforts of the British 8th Army at Monte Cassino, one of the most significant and tragic battlefields of the Second World War. This private battlefield tour retraces the path of British soldiers who, in May 1944, helped break the German Gustav Line and open the road to Rome.

The tour is designed for families of veterans, military history enthusiasts, and educators seeking to understand the British role in this brutal and often overlooked campaign. With access to original wartime footage, maps, and regimental research, this experience offers a personal and historically accurate insight into one of WWII’s fiercest battles.

TOUR ITINERARY – FULL-DAY EXPERIENCE

  • Commonwealth War Cemetery (Cassino) – Visit the cemetery where over 4,200 British and Commonwealth soldiers rest. Includes grave location and contextualization for relatives.
  • Amazon Bridge – Gari River Crossing – Explore the river crossing and learn about the engineering feats and challenges faced by British forces in May 1944.
  • Campana della Pace – A panoramic viewpoint over the Liri Valley and the battlefield, commemorating soldiers of all nations.
  • Monte Trocchio – Strategic artillery and observation point with commanding views of the front and Cassino town.
  • Monte Cassino Abbey – Explore the reconstructed monastery, its museum, and the story of the final assault led by Polish forces on 18 May 1944.
  • Aquino and Highway 6 (optional extension) – Follow the British advance into the Liri Valley and visit the liberated airfield and town of Aquino.

TAILOR-MADE EXPERIENCES

As a multilingual historian and battlefield guide, I conduct archival research in the UK and Italy to personalize your itinerary. If you’re tracing a relative’s wartime experience, I can include maps, unit histories, and even regimental diaries related to their service at Monte Cassino. Tours can also be expanded to include the Anzio beachhead, the Garigliano crossings, or the Winter Line sector, depending on your interests.

MULTIMEDIA ONBOARD

All tours are conducted in a Mercedes 9-seater van equipped with air conditioning and a large onboard monitor. During the tour, you’ll view veteran interviews, period footage, and battlefield maps to enhance your understanding of the events as we move between locations.

BRITISH DIVISIONS IN THE FOURTH BATTLE OF MONTE CASSINO

  • 4th Infantry Division
  • 78th Infantry Division (Battle Axe)
  • 6th Armoured Division
  • 1st Guards Brigade (attached)
  • Corps and Army Troops 
  •  Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery

BRITISH REGIMENTS AT MONTE CASSINO – MAY 1944

  • Royal Irish Fusiliers (1st Battalion)
  • Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (6th Battalion)
  • London Irish Rifles (1st & 2nd Battalions)
  • East Surrey Regiment (1st Battalion)
  • Northamptonshire Regiment (5th Bn)
  • Sherwood Foresters (2nd Battalion)
  • Lancashire Fusiliers (11th Battalion)
  • The Buffs (1st Battalion)
  • Royal Scots (2nd Battalion)
  • Royal Fusiliers (2nd Battalion)
  • Welch Regiment (1st Battalion)
  • King’s Own (1st Battalion)
  • Essex Regiment (2nd Battalion)
  • Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (2nd Bn)
  • London Scottish (1st Battalion)
  • Irish Guards (1st Battalion)
  • Coldstream Guards (2nd Battalion)
  • Scots Guards (1st Battalion)
  • King’s Royal Rifle Corps (2nd Battalion)
  • Royal Hampshire Regiment (1st Battalion)
  • 17th/21st Lancers
  • 64th, 138th, 19th, 38th Field Regiments 
  • Royal Artillery
  • 214th, 17th Field Companies – 
  • Royal Engineers

CONTACT & BOOKING

Ready to explore the British battlefields of Monte Cassino? Contact Dr. Danila Bracaglia for a personalized experience.

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