Military Stories: Battle of Monte Camino

Some of the most ferocious fighting of the Second World War took place in the mountains of Southern Italy. Far from the eyes of the western press and overshadowed by the prospect of the Normandy landings, most elements of Allies' campaign in Italy remains little known.
This is demonstrated in the famous TV series, The World at War. Of the twenty-six hours broadcast in that series, less than half-an-hour is dedicated to the campaign on the Italian mainland.
Hence the little known story of the Battle of Monte Camino; a vital battle that had to be fought in order for the Allies to reach Germany's main defences on the Gustav Line. It features the far to few British units that were deployed in the first battle and their consequential high casualty rate; how they had to go back to help finish the job the second time; and the famous story of the American/Canadian First Special Service Force that climbed the rocks of Monte La Defensa.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

It really was a slog up those mountains. Hope Richard O'Connor is still on the way. Happy new year.

[@GreatStoriesNow933]

@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Richard O'connor on the way, but there is another in the pipeline ahead. Both are scheduled soon (hopefull)!!

[@IsadoreWoW]

My great grandad Sergeant Len White was in the 56th London division "Black Cats" 113th field reg royal artillery, firing 25 pounders. He and others fought at the later battle of Cassino, what I have recently found out and am researching more into, my grandad on my mother's side Konrad Albert Jascheck was captured by American forces at Cassino and brought back to the UK where he then settled and met my Nan. I wonder how close they were to each other at that time.

[@GreatStoriesNow933]

Thanks for your comments. It wasca tough campaign on both sides with the rival armies getting pretty close to each other. Hope you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching.

[@californiadreamin8423]

My Dad was a stretcher bearer in the 214 Field Ambulance , part of the Black Cats, at Mt Camino. He landed at Salerno, finishing the war in Trieste. He told me how hard Mt Camino was.

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting and informative. Excellent photography still-motion pictures/maps enabling viewers to better understand what the orator was describing. Rough & rugged terrain to be engaging an experienced/battle hardened enemy.

[@GreatStoriesNow933]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your comments.

[@jonathanmccree7545]

My late Grandfather was involved in this, not sure if was the 1st of 2nd battle. He didn't talk much about his war service in North Africa and Italy, but he did mention this one and how he was always irritated it was all but forgotten about or confused with Cassino. My Grandad had a lifelong dislike of the Scots, based upon how he was treated up in Scotland when doing training I reckon, however I do remember him saying about Camino that he was going up the mountain and could see loads of Scots Guards bodies and figured that if all these tough Scots couldn't subdue the Germans, what hope did he have 😂 Thanks for this, it is such a hard battle story to find online.

[@GreatStoriesNow933]

@jonathanmccree7545 Thanks for your comments which I fully appreciate and understand as my father was also at Monte Comino (both battles). He never said much other than this was the worst battle that he ever fought in.

[@kiwifruit27]

You are an excellent story teller and have made another interesting video about a topic that I was previously unaware of. Thanks

[@GreatStoriesNow933]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for your comments. We will do our best to keep them coming.

[@adamlee3772]

My grandfather was killed in action in Tunisia 06 May 1943, 6Bn York and Lancaster regiment. It’s my understanding the regiment was involved in the invasion of Sicily and Italy but not sure where. Had he survived North Africa, he could well have been there.

[@GreatStoriesNow933]

Yes I think you may be largely correct. I cannot be sure without further research but I don't think the battalion was in Sicily. I have found mention that the 6th Bn York and Lancaster Regiment was involved in the relief of Naples which indicates that the Battalion would have landed at Salerno as part of the British Corps in Mark Clark's American Fifth Army. It was from amongst this British Corps that the troops fought at Monte Camino. Your grandfather was killed near the end of the Tunisian campaign which, of course, is a shame. Had he survived he would definitely have been involved in a really tough campaign in Italy. Thanks for watching and thanks for your comments.

[@adamlee3772]

@@GreatStoriesNow933 thanks for the reply. Yeah grandad was killed ten days before the end of hostilities in North Africa. I was meant to go this year but work commitments meant I couldn’t make it. I’ll be going soon though. Have plenty of information to share with you about him and the battles. How can I send them to you?

[@GreatStoriesNow933]

@@adamlee3772 You can email me at [e-mail]. That would be very kind. Thanks

[@janlindtner305]

👍👍👍

[@GreatStoriesNow933]

Thanks 👍

[@JB-rt4mx]

Cassino!!

[@GreatStoriesNow933]

No; definitely Camino. Cassino was a later battle but to reach Cassino the allies had to fight and win the Battle of Camino. It is just one of many battles fought in Italy that have never been reported. Enjoy!

[@DrivermanO]

I suspect that you didn't watch any of the video before you masde your rash assumption! The difference between the two is all explained.