Us Official Photographs

Monte Cassino Abbey bombing

On Feb 15, 44 the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces yielded to the military necessity of bombing German troops from the famous Abbey at Monte Cassino, Italy, which for many bloody weeks blocked the advance of Allied forces. The bombing was carried out by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, North American B-25 Mitchells, and Martin B-26 Marauders. When the bombs hit, ammunition exploding in the east wing spewed up a cloud of smoke 1,500 ft high, showing that this was indeed a military installation. Several hundred Germans were seen running out of their stolen fortress. Shown here is the explosion as seen from one of the B-17s.