Italy 1943–1945
Monte Maio and the Aurunci mountains, near Ausonia
Viewpoint
The story
The French breakthrough of 13–16 May 1944 happened in these mountains, which the Germans thought too rugged for a major attack. It unlocked the whole Gustav Line. The villages along this road, among them Ausonia and Esperia, also suffered the worst of the Marocchinate in the days that followed.
What to look for
Stop on the road between Castelforte and Ausonia and look up at Monte Maio, the 940 m summit to the north-east.
Plan your visit
Roadside stop only; the summit is a long hike for experienced walkers.
Nearby sites
- Museo Linea Gustav, Castelforte · 6 km
- 36th Division memorials and the Rapido, Sant'Angelo in Theodice · 11 km
- Garigliano crossing and Real Ferdinando bridge, Minturno · 13 km
- Minturno War Cemetery, Marina di Minturno · 13 km
- Cassino War Cemetery and Memorial · 14 km
- Historiale museum, Cassino · 15 km
All 96 sites in Italy 1943–1945 →
Into Europe: Italy 1943–1945
A free field guide for your phone: the route, the maps and the stories built in, even with no signal. The places of the Allied campaign in Italy, from the Sicily landings of July 1943 through Salerno, the Winter Line, Ortona, Cassino and Anzio, Rome, the Gothic Line and the final battles on the Senio and the Po in April 1945.
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