Item No.: 510006198
Description: 1:72 Montecassino '44 Gustav Line Battle. During the Italian campaign from January to May 1944, Allied forces under the command of General Mark Clark advanced against the German 10th Army led by General Heinrich von Vietinghoff, which had entrenched itself in defensive positions along the Gustav Line. The cornerstone of the Gustav Line was the small town of Cassino, which controlled the valley of the Liri River. Cassino itself was dominated by the historic Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino, which served as an important strategic observation and defense position for the German forces. The determined resistance of the German troops, who held their positions for nearly four months, was bolstered by difficult weather conditions that hindered the Allied advance. Intense fighting ensued to drive the Germans from their stubbornly held defensive line. It was not until mid-May that the German positions were finally breached, allowing the Allied advance toward Rome and securing its liberation in June 1944.