The first bomb dropped by the USAAF onto the Monte Cassino on the day of 14.3.1944.
Faced with an experienced enemy, the Allies decided to use brute force in an effort to defeat the Germans. 600,000 artillery shells were deployed and General Eaker, commander of the Allied air force in the Mediterranean, offered every available bomber to the attack. On March 14th 1944, Allied troops were pulled back from the front line to take them away from the projected artillery bombardment. At 08.00 the first wave of bombers attacked German positions at Monte Cassino. 775 aircraft were involved in the four-hour bombing. Roughly 1,400 tons of high-explosive bombs were dropped on the town of Cassino and the area surrounding it. The last bomb exploded at 12.30 and was immediately followed by the artillery bombardment. 195,969 shells were fired from 748 guns in a seven-and-a-half hour time period.