Cavenish Filibuster MTO (id:#56930)

Critical Hit (Carnage at Cassino ID: CAC 4)   [next]   [previous]

Albaneta Farm, near Cassino, Italy 1944-03-19 (6 others)

Overview:

The Cavendish Road was a tank path built by Indian and New Zealand engineers that stretched from Caira village to a forming up area between Phantom and Snakeshead ridges that could facilitate an attack on Monte Cassino in the middle of March 1944. Albaneta Farm, or Albaneta House, or even 'The Nunnery' (although there never were ever any nuns here!), was an ancient farm complex below Hill 593 and on a 'back-door' route to the monastery of Monte Cassino. Occupied by German troops early in the fighting, it was the scene of heavy fighting on 19th March 1944 when the 20th Armoured Regiment of the New Zealand Forces pushed up through Cavendish Road in an attempt to launch an armoured thrust which would outflank the positions at Monte Cassino. German paratroops, dug in around the strongpoint of Albaneta Farm beat the tank attack, unsupported by its own infantry, back. In total nine tanks were lost, along with five dead and nine wounded.

Defender: New Zealand / Indian (Elements of 'C' Company, 20th New Zealand Armored Regiment and 'D' Company of the 760th Tank Battalion with Central Indian Horse)  

Errata (source)