Montecassino. 11:00 PM. The sky above the abbey lights up with the fire of 1,600 Allied cannons. It’s the beginning of the offensive. The Poles of the Second Polish Army Corps, veterans of the Soviet Gulags and having passed through Iran, Palestine, and Egypt, are finally facing their historic Nazi enemy. They must take the Abbey atop Montecassino to break through the Gustav Line towards Rome. The Poles number 51,962, with 1,200 Cypriot mules and 1 bear (Wojtek). After four assaults, they manage to take Mount Calvary, and then Point 593 of the Gorge and Ghost Ridge. On the morning of May 18, the fighting ends and the road to Rome is open.
