Original Wwii Army

  


This badge was brought-back to New Zealand as a souvenir from The Battle For Monte Cassino in WW2 by a Kiwi ANZAC. The New Zealand Troops had fought alongside the Polish troops to defeat the German Paratroopers holding Monte Casino. After the battle the Kiwi troops exchanged badges with their Polish allies and celebrated their victory over the Fallschirmjäger. The Battle of Monte Cassino (also known as the Battle for Rome and the Battle for Cassino) was a costly series of four assaults by the Allies against the Winter Line in Italy held by Axis forces during the Italian Campaign of World War II. The intention was a breakthrough to Rome.

At the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans holding the Rapido-Gari, Liri and Garigliano valleys and some of the surrounding peaks and ridges. Together, these features formed the Gustav Line.

Monte Cassino, a historic hilltop abbey founded in AD 529 by Benedict of Nursia, dominated the nearby town of Cassino and the entrances to the Liri and Rapido valleys. Lying in a protected historic zone, it had been left unoccupied by the Germans, although they manned some positions set into the steep slopes below the abbey's walls. Repeated pinpoint artillery attacks on Allied assault troops caused their leaders to conclude the abbey was being used by the Germans as an observation post, at the very least.

Fears escalated along with casualties and in spite of a lack of clear evidence, it was marked for destruction. On 15 February American bombers dropped 1,400 tons of high explosives, creating widespread damage. [6] The raid failed to achieve its objective, as German paratroopers then occupied the rubble and established excellent defensive positions amid the ruins. Between 17 January and 18 May, Monte Cassino and the Gustav defences were assaulted four times by Allied troops.

Following this Allied victory, the German Senger Line collapsed on 25 May. The German defenders were finally driven from their positions, but at a high cost. The capture of Monte Cassino resulted in 55,000 Allied casualties, with German losses being far fewer, estimated at around 20,000 killed and wounded. ONLY ONE (1) badge is offered in this listing. Shown in image # 1 (and the few others that follow) showing various vies of THE SAME badge.

The reference material is NOT included (but you could likely "print" it for FREE). We will happily COMBINE these....... Any questions please message me.

A GST receipt will be issued & included IF you ASK for one? Add a map to your own listings. The item "Genuine WW2 era POLISH Army Cap Eagle Badge Poland POLSKA Monte Cassino Battle 3" is in sale since Monday, July 26, 2021. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\Poland". The seller is "phillip_in_new_zealand" and is located in Auckland (aprox. 12,000 "clicks" from USA). This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Modified Item: Yes
• Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
• Theme: Militaria
• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Conflict: WW II (1939-45)
• Modification Description: SAND-CAST near the front lines from melted-down Gunshell Brass