1944 ITALY: Monte Cassino monastery destroyed by US air attack

Date: 28th February 1944

Location: CASSINO, ITALY

Source: Reuters Historical News Collection: BRITISH PARAMOUNT NEWSREEL (REUTERS)

SLATE INFORMATION: MONASTERY BOMBED (FIRST PICTURES) In one of the most outstanding film reports of war, Monte Cassino Monastery is shown being destroyed by tremendous US air attack.

*** INTERMITTENTLY MUTE ***

Cassino, Italy: GV bombs bursting over Anzio harbour. LV large invasion craft at sea. SV General Alexander on board landing craft - Anzio harbour in b-d. Angle shot Alexander. SV Alexander with officers on landing craft. GV Cassino road - milestone on side of same : "141 CASSINO KM. 2". GTV pan devastated battle area near Cassino. LV wrecked area. LV wrecked huts in area. SV towards pan U.S. tank moving forward to Cassino area. BV tank along road. LV tanks firing in roadway to town of Cassino. SV tank firing in roadway into town. SV U.S. troops behind hedge watching. GTV pan shell bursts in town of Cassino. GV tank firing in roadway into town. SV U.S. troops firing mortar gun. SCU firing mortar gun. GV from hilltop showing bursts in Cassino. BV machine gun firing into town. GTV showing wrecked Cassino, and buildings.

SV German prisoners. LV prisoners lined up. SV young types of German prisoners. CU young German prisoner. Big GV showing Monte Cassino Monastery on top of hill. CU of Monastery. SV two U.S. soldiers looking at leaflet beside tank. CU leaflet. SV putting leaflet into shells. Cu putting leaflet into shells. LV gun firing shell containing leaflet. SV gunner loading shell into breach. CU shell into breach. LV gun firing. GV Cassino Monastery - shell bursting. GV four flying Fortresses flying over top bomb Monastery. Shot showing direct hits on Monastery. GV flying Fortresses in air and showing vapour trails. LV Monastery receiving direct hits from bombs, smoke from explosions completely obliterate Monastery from view. Big GV monastery completely obliterated by smoke. SV U.S. troops looking thru bushes thru glasses. GV fire bombs bursting round Monastery. Nearer shot fire bombs bursting round Monastery. GV six bombers in air (B.25's). CU Monastery receiving two big direct hits. GV explosions etc. round Monastery. CU bombs bursting round Monastery. Big GV bombs bursting round Monastery. CU smoke and partially ruined monastery. Shot vapour trails in sky. LV showing wrecked Monastery. GV showing wrecked Monastery.

GOOD SCENES:- GV Monastery on hill side - explosions all round enveloping it in clouds of smoke. GV smoke obliterating Monastery from view. LV Monastery surrounded by smoke. GV Monastery on top o hill nearly hidden by smoke. LV Monastery partially hidden by smoke.

LV Monastery surrounded by smoke - explosions from same. GV Monastery almost hidden by smoke - explosions on hill-side.Near GV Monastery - explosions on hill. GV smoke obliterating monastery from view. - explosions in neighbourhood. GV large explosion on hill-side. SV General Alexander talking to a British Officer and group of Americans. SV General Alexander talking to a British Officer and group of Americans.

Airforce - Active; Italy; Buildings, Landmarks and Monuments; Air Raids and War Damage

Watch clipWatch the full Reuters clip here

Content from Reuters, available for licensing at

======

SUBSCRIBE to this channel here

#War #Fighting #Italy

Reuters Connect: The world's defining moments captured, from 1896 to the present day. Empower your storytelling with instant access to real time and unique, rare and inspiring content from Reuters and partners. Access inspiring visuals through a seamless platform offering instant download and transparent rights. Designed for publishers, production companies, archival producers, creative agencies and NGOs to create impactful stories with speed, confidence and integrity.

Website: www.reutersconnect.com