On 19 June 2024, Senior Course 144 stepped back in time when they visited the area around the town of Cassino in the Liri valley, about 130 km southeast of Rome. The aim of the visit was to give Course Members the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the complexities involved in conducting war as a multinational alliance.
During the September 1943 – June 1944 part of World War II’s Italian Campaign, the Allies were determined to cross several defence lines across Italy, including the formidable “Gustav Line”, in this strategically very important area. It was the scene of several substantial battles, which proved a great challenge to the Allies. A combination of very difficult terrain, failed strategies, miscommunication, controversial decisions and, in some cases, personal ambitions all contributed to the Allies experiencing some of the bloodiest battles of the Italian Campaign. Indeed, it took several months for the Allies to defeat their enemies and continue their advance towards Rome.
The day illustrated the hard-won experiences from war, which laid the ground for what would eventually form the core of NATO as an Alliance: common values and interests across the Atlantic; a consensus-based decision-making process; and interoperability, in particular through the command structure, the force structure, the defence planning process and by now integrated multidomain planning.
Colonel (Ret.) Søren Knudsen (NDC Faculty Advisor with Committee) and Lieutenant Colonel Livio Cavallaro (Scuola di Fantaria) where the visit’s Subject Matter Experts, who guided the Course Members throughout the day.
In San Pietro Infine, Senior Course 144 was welcomed by the mayor of the municipality, Mr Antonio Vacca. He gave a short speech about the history of the area and why it is still important to remember what happened over 80 years ago. The original village has been preserved in its post-war ruined state and serves as a memorial to the many civilian lives that were lost during the war.
Senior Course 144 continued to Sant’Angelo in Theodice and the Rapido River, where they were briefed about the Allies’ attempts to cross the river and the difficulties they encountered.
After lunch, it was time to hike up to Point 593, a great vantage point from which the Course Members were able to observe most of the terrain and to gain a genuine understanding of the serious challenges the Allies faced during the four battles of Monte Cassino.
The day ended at the Monte Cassino Monastery, which was reduced to rubble by Allied bombs during the battles of Monte Cassino. The Subject Matter Experts briefed SC 144 about the multifaceted decision-making process behind this decision and the Course Members had the opportunity to explore the monastery, now beautifully restored. From there, as most of the Liri valley can be seen, the significance of the Monte Cassino Monastery to both sides in the war became self-evident to the visitors.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by CPT Nicolai Salling Godthaab, DNK AF)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN