Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour – The New Zealand Division in WWII

Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour – The New Zealand Division in WWII

This private full-day tour focuses exclusively on the role of the 2nd New Zealand Division in the Battle of Monte Cassino. Designed for families, history enthusiasts, and descendants of Kiwi soldiers, this immersive experience allows you to explore the exact sites where the New Zealand troops fought and fell during one of WWII’s toughest campaigns.

Led by historian and licensed battlefield guide Dr. Danila Bracaglia, the tour includes multimedia content, personal stories, and expert commentary. Pick-up is available from your hotel in Cassino or the railway station at 9:45 AM. The itinerary can be tailored to your interests.

Itinerary Highlights – Monte Cassino & New Zealand Sector

     
  • Monte Cassino Abbey: Bombed in February 1944 and later rebuilt, this iconic site was a strategic stronghold and symbolic target for Allied forces.
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  • Cassino War Cemetery: Final resting place of New Zealand and Commonwealth soldiers. A solemn and meaningful stop for reflection.
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  • New Zealand Memorial: A dedicated monument to the NZ Division’s sacrifice at Cassino, set in a peaceful hilltop position.
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  • Monte Trocchio: Observation point used by New Zealand commanders for planning and reconnaissance; panoramic battlefield views.
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  • Cassino Town Crypt & Ruins: Explore the remains of war-damaged buildings and hear the story of urban combat and civilian suffering.
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  • Railway Station & Embankment: One of the most contested points of the battle, where the NZ Division fought under constant fire.
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  • “Horseshoe Ridge” and Castle Hill (Colle Sant’Angelo): High-ground positions targeted by the New Zealanders during repeated assaults.
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  • Personalized Stops: Possible additions based on family history or regimental interest.

    • The 2nd New Zealand Division at Monte Cassino

    In early 1944, the 2nd New Zealand Division, under the command of General Bernard Freyberg, was part of the Allied Eighth Army tasked with capturing Monte Cassino and breaking through the Gustav Line. Though this was officially a multinational effort, the New Zealanders bore the brunt of the fighting in the February assault.

    The town of Cassino and its surrounding hills had been turned into a fortress by German paratroopers. In an attempt to break the stalemate, Allied forces—including the New Zealand Division—bombed the abbey on 15 February 1944. The battle that followed was among the most difficult of the war.

    Despite determined efforts and enormous sacrifice, the attack failed to capture the town. The New Zealanders faced impossible terrain, fierce resistance, and logistical nightmares. The railway station, the hill ridges, and the flooded fields became symbols of the frustration and bloodshed of Cassino.

    Structure of the 2nd New Zealand Division (WWII)

    The 2nd New Zealand Division was composed of the following key units:

       
    • 5th Infantry Brigade
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    • 6th Infantry Brigade
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    • 4th Armoured Brigade
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    • Divisional Artillery and Engineers
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    • Medical, Signals, and Logistics Support

      • The infantry brigades were rotated during the assaults on Cassino. The division was renowned for its discipline, resilience, and field leadership. While the 28th Māori Battalion is perhaps the most famous unit, the tour focuses on the collective effort and sacrifice of the entire division.

      An Educational and Emotional Experience

      The tour includes wartime footage, maps, and veteran interviews presented on a monitor in our private Mercedes van. This multimedia support brings the battle to life and offers a deeply moving, informative experience.

      Included in the Tour

         
      • Certified WWII historian and battlefield guide
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      • Private Mercedes van with A/C and onboard video system
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      • Hotel or station pickup at 9:45 AM
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      • Entrance tickets
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      • Lunch, snacks, and drinks
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      • Flexible, personalized itinerary

        • Booking & Contact

        To book your Monte Cassino tour dedicated to the New Zealand Division, or to customize your visit based on personal family history, please contact:

           
        • WhatsApp: +39 338 2458831

          • BOOK NOW


          <h2>Extra Facts – New Zealand’s Sacrifice at Monte Cassino</h2>
          <p>
          New Zealand played a major role in two of the four battles for the liberation of <strong>Monte Cassino</strong>, making a contribution marked by extraordinary courage and devastating loss. That sacrifice deserves to be remembered and passed on to future generations.
          </p>
          <ul>
            <li><strong>343 New Zealand soldiers were killed</strong> between February and April 1944 at Monte Cassino, with <strong>over 1,200 wounded</strong> and 42 taken prisoner.</li>
            <li>The <strong>28th (Māori) Battalion</strong> suffered a disproportionate number of casualties. In an early attack on Cassino’s railway station, <strong>130 of the 200 Māori soldiers</strong> involved were killed, wounded, or captured.</li>
            <li>The Cassino campaign was one of the <strong>most brutal and costly</strong> battles involving New Zealand forces in WWII.</li>
            <li>The geography of Monte Cassino — steep hills and the imposing abbey — made every advance a deadly challenge.</li>
          </ul>
          <h3>New Zealand WWII Facts & Figures</h3>
          <ul>
            <li><strong>Population in 1940:</strong> around 1,600,000</li>
            <li><strong>140,000 New Zealanders</strong> served in WWII (104,000 in the 2NZEF)</li>
            <li>Approximately <strong>12,000 were killed</strong> — <strong>0.73% of the population</strong></li>
            <li>New Zealand had the <strong>highest per capita death rate</strong> in the Commonwealth during WWII</li>
            <li><strong>War deaths per million population:</strong>
              <ul>
                <li>New Zealand: <strong>6,684</strong></li>
                <li>United Kingdom: 5,123</li>
                <li>Australia: 3,232</li>
                <li>Canada: 4,000</li>
              </ul>
            </li>
          </ul>
          <p>
          These figures highlight the enormous cost New Zealand paid in the fight for freedom. For many Kiwi families, Monte Cassino is not just a place on a map — it is a sacred part of their family history.
          </p>