# Battle of Monte Cassino (1944)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1944-battle-of-monte-cassino
Location: Monte Cassino
Categories: battle, main-event

The Polish II Corps of General Anders captured the monastery ruins of Monte Cassino, opening the road to Rome. Within the broader World War II period: Invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union, Poland suffered brutal occupation and the Holocaust, while its underground state and armed forces fought on every front of the war. At this point in the timeline (18 May 1944), the governing authority was Władysław Raczkiewicz (President of Poland (in exile)). President of the internationally recognised Polish government-in-exile in France and London during World War II. Battle of Monte Cassino mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Battle of Monte Cassino mattered because it changed the military or territorial balance and influenced the political choices that followed.

Ruler at the time: [Władysław Raczkiewicz](https://poland-history.com/rulers/wladyslaw-raczkiewicz)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Battle of Monte Cassino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Monte_Cassino)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Battle of Monte Cassino](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Battle+of+Monte+Cassino)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1939–1945) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1939%E2%80%931945))