Breaching The Gothic Line 1944-45

Understand the decision to move the 8th Army to the east coast after the fall of Rome in June 1944. Appreciate the limited space to manoeuvre over the harsh terrain.

Observe the opening of the offensive in 1944 from Belvedere Churchill at Montemaggiore al Metauro. Witness the Canadian assaults onto Hill 111 and Hill 204 above Montecchio. Appreciate the challenges the 1st Armoured Division faced at Coriano Ridge and the difficulties that beset the Queens Brigade at Gemmano. Understand the composition of Alexander’s Allied Army Group by Winter 1944. Visit the American Cemetery outside Florence and follow the 5th US Army through the Apennines. Understand the scale of human loss by seeing the German Cemetery at the Futa Pass. Appreciate what it is must have been like as an Italian at this stage of the war by going to the Monte Sole Memorial Park. Consider the role of the partisans through the Museo Memoriale della Liberta in Bologna. Walk the route of Anders Lassen VC at Lake Comacchio. Discover the innovation achieved by the 8th Army with its ingenious armoured vehicles that were developed to help finally breach the German defences, reach the Po River and end the war in Italy.

‍