REVISITING THE CASSINO WAR CEMETERY-WAS I WORTH THEIR SACRIFICE

Adolph and I visited Italy in August 1991. I wrote this story several months later and tried to have it published-to no avail. So November 1, 2010, I wrote it and posted in on my blog. I decided to write it again today as a repeat post as the story is still valuable to help with Remembrance activities. The original title was "Was I worth their Sacrifice?Cassino War Cemetery".

Sometimes it takes a trip abroad to discover a Canadian sense of self. While touring the local sites in my husband's hometown of Cassino, Italy, south of Rome last summer we visited the three war cemeteries in the area. The are entitled the Polish, the German and the English cemeteries.

During World War Two, the Germans had established two main lines of defense- the Gustav and Hitler lines to check the Allies from advancing to Rome. During April and May 1944, there was major fighting in the area culminating with the bombing of the Benedictine Monastery on Monte Cassino. It was imperative to secure that location as it had a strategic vantage point overlooking the Liri Valley. Once captured it allowed the Allies an open road to Rome. On May 16, 1944 the First Canadian Corps received orders to advance on the Hitler line six miles up the Valley. The attack began May 23, Frosinone, the captial to the region was occupied by May 31. The Canadian campaign came to an end in the area as the Allies advanced to liberate Rome.

As we visited each cemetery, we noted the varying locations. The Polish cemetery is located near the Abbey where they had secured the Cassino position and the Monastery on May 18, 1944. The Polish General who died several years after the War requested to be buried with his troops. The German cemetery is located in Valley with triple graves of soldiers as there were just too many to bury. Rows and rows of young men, which makes it difficult to picture them as an enemy now.

Our last visit was the English cemetery or really the British Commonwealth one. Walking into the cemetery, I read the signs, inscribed on the two walls which state.

"WITHIN THIS CEMETERY STAND MONUMENTS WHICH BEAR THE NAMES OF THE SOLDIERS OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND EMPIRE WHO FELL IN ASSAULTS UPON THE SHORES OF SICILY AND ITALY OR IN LATER BATTLES TO FREE ITALIAN SOIL AND TO WHOM THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED A KNOWN AND HONOURED GRAVE. AROUND THEM ARE THE GRAVES OF THEIR COMRADES WHO DIED FIGHTING IN THESE PARTS TO OPEN THE WAY TO ROME AND THE NORTH."

The other wall bears this inscription.

"THE LAND ON WHICH THIS CEMETERY STANDS IS THE GIFT OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE FOR THE PERPETUAL RESTING PLACE OF THE SAILORS, SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN WHO ARE HONOURED HERE."

The Canadian section was quite large and distinguishable by the Maple Leaf adorning the top of each stone. It is one small cemetery of many in 74 countries that honour the 109,980 Canadians who died in the First and Second World Wars.

 I began to read the names of the men of the regiments of the First Canadian Corps. From Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, West Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Special services, The Engineers and more places, were all resting in peace. What overwelmed me were the dates in April, May. How many had fallen together. Comrades in Life! Comrades in Death!
My Canadians! Our Canadians! Tears and emotion overcame me. I left my companions as I did not want them to see my tears. I continued to walk amongst the rows wanting a glimpse of each stone. I felt I owed them; to acknowledge their being, their worth. Young men, mostly in their teens, their twenties, their thirties, who were denied a life that only those in middle age and older can appreciate that death in youth really has no rewards. But why was I crying? I felt a sense of pride. Those men fought for us, our freedom. They believed in a greater cause. I felt a sense of anger and the realization that if very politician and General would visit the cemeteries of the previous war, perhaps we could try to find alternatives. I felt a sense of sadness. Those men were sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, friends. They were missed at home. They did not chose that resting place. I remembered. An uncle had fought in Italy. A family friend went through there. Were those men their comrades?

All the cemeteries were quiet and peaceful. In Europe, they are kept clean often better maintained than the surrounding towns. Our men are honoured there. Almost fifty years buried while the living has gone on.

Would they be proud of Canada today? Would they consider us grateful of the freedoms they secured for us? Would they feel their cause was understood? Am I doing for Canada and freedom what I inherited from those men? To all those buried in the many cemeterires, am I worthy of your sacrifice?
April 1992

Reflecting and rewriting this story does bring back many memories. Of course the pictures help. Monte Cassino in the background overlooking the valley brings the historical facts to life. June 6 2014 will be the 70th anniversary of D-Day. As well it will be 70 years since the battles of the Cassino area. Remembering does not glorify war. Our peace and freedom have come with a price. Even today in communities across the country, men and women serve not just in the military,but police, firefighters, health care personnel and other disciplines to ensure our communities thrive. So as we reflect on Novemeber 11th at the 11th hour- remember and think about what it means to you. LEST WE FORGET!