'St Benedictine Monastery, perched on a hillside above Cassino, being shelled, as seen from the centre of the town', 1944

Photograph, World War Two, Italy (1943-1945), 1944.

The entrance to the strategically pivotal Liri Valley (which opened the way to Rome) was just over 10 kilometres wide and was overlooked by the 500-metre high monastery of Monte Cassino. Supported by minefields and fortifications, Cassino was a defender's dream and an attacking army's nightmare. In order to minimise casualties, the Allies launched a massive bombardment of the German defences prior to their assault. This laid waste to the historic monastery and surrounding town. Most of the German defenders survived and exploited the ruins to create an even more formidable set of defences.

From a collection of 650 photographs compiled by the Commando Association.