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.
