When the Allies invaded Italy the Germans where waiting for them. Led by Field Marshal (smiling) Albert Kesselring, they prepared a series of defensive lines. The most formidiable of these was the Gustav Line, wich utilized Italy's mountainous terrrain. The key feature of this line of defense was the 400 year old abby atop Monte Cassino, overlooking the city and Route 6 (via Casilina) which led directly to Rome. GeneralLeutnant Richard Heidrich and his under strength 1st Fallschirmjœger Division were ordered to take defense of the city of Cassino and surrounding hills, which had been defended by General Baade's 90th Panzer Grenadiers.

When the Battle for Monte Cassino (map) began it was assumed the Germans where using the abby as the ultimate observation post. Regretfully the decision was made by the Allies to bomb the monastary and the surrounding hills including the city. Using bombers and artillery the Allies dropped 400 tons of bombs on the abby and the city. Prior to the bombing the monastery's treasures and monks including the 83 year old abbott had been evacuated by the Germans. Some 400 refugees were killed along with a monk when he returned to the abby refusing to take the warning.

After the bombing the Monastery and the city of Cassino were nearly leveled. This played into the hands of the paratroops who with high casualties managed to survive the massive bombardments. The city was turned into a series of fortresses, places such as the Continental Hotel were inpenitrable by the Allies. What followed was some of the worst fighting of the western front, often at close quarters, hand to hand, all while under constant shelling and bitter Italian weather. The German Paras proved to be tough and resourceful advisaries, it is at this battle were they earned their nick name the "Green Devils". The Paras faced British, Candian, New Zealand, Indian, Gurkha, Maoaries, and Polish Infantry, time and time again their attacks were repulsed by the Paras. Despite all this the Fallschirmjœger fought with chivalery and respect towards his enemy.

Finally after months of bitter fighting, with French troops pressing the left flank of the Gustav Line, Kesselring gave the order to pull out. On May 17th the remnants of the 1st Fallschirmjager Division pulled out of the city and the abby leaving behind only the seriously wounded and reargaurd stragglers. The next day May 18th Polish troops stormed the abby only to find the few men left behind including Hauptmann Beyer who was seriously wounded. The Allies had won the battle but had been denied absolute victory over the Fallschirmjœger "The Green Devils of Monte Cassino".