History, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division From 1 February 1944 to 29 February 1944, inclusive. ATTACK ON CASSINO On the night of February 1st the attack on the barracks north of Cassino (858231) was made by Company "I", reinforced, and one company of tanks. The remainder of the 3rd Battalion was alerted to move to the rear of the assaulting company and the 1st Battalion ready to move to attack the north edge of Cassino. The barracks were taken at 2300 hours, 54 prisoners were taken. The following morning the 3rd Battalion resumed the attack. At 1500 hours the advance elements of the 3rd Battalion and tanks were held up by Anti-Tank fire from self-propelled guns in Cassino. Late that afternoon the 3rd Battalion continued the attack, our tanks met resistance from Anti-Tank guns in town shortly after entering and were cut off. Our Infantry met MG resistance form high ground to their West. At 2230 hours Company "C" 1st Battalion moved to join the 3rd Battalion in the attack. The 3rd Battalion was held up north of town by MG and Mortar fire from the town and high ground to the west. At 0600 hours February 3rd Company "C" entered the Northeast part of Cassino but were forced to withdraw 1000 yards east of the town by enemy tanks. At 1530 hours the 1st and 3rd Battalions preceded by tanks resumed the attack following and artillery preparation. The 3rd Battalion entered the Northwest edge while the 1st Battalion entered the Northeastern edge of Cassino, both battalions digging in their positions. Immediately after dark the 2nd (100th) Battalion moved to occupy positions formerly held by the 1st Battalion. At 0800 hours February 4th six enemy tanks forced the 1st Battalion to withdraw to the streambed in the vicinity of (886314). The 3rd Battalion consolidated their positions in the Northwest edge of town in the face of determined enemy infantry and tank action. At 1300 hours Company "A" 1st Battalion began to move to the right flank of the 3rd Battalion to occupy Hill 175 and relieve Company "L". The remainder of the 1st Battalion following at 1500 hours closed in their assembly area at 1730 hours at (854227). Company "A" relieved Company "L" at 1845 hours, Company "L" rejoining the 3rd Battalion in the Northwest edge of Cassino. During the night of February 4-5 the Battalions remained in place, the 1st Battalion made reconnaissance of draws in their sector between 0630 and 0830 hours. At 0830 hours February 5th the 1st Battalion began to advance toward Hill 193 clearing out draws as they advanced slowly on the North slope of the Hill. At 2030 hours February 5th the 1st Battalion received a heavy counter-attack on Hill 193 being forced to withdraw to Hill 175. Early on the morning of February 6th the 2nd (100th) Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Battalion 143rd Infantry and moved to the vicinity of (849241) as Division Reserve. At 0645 hours the 3rd Battalion repulsed an enemy counter-attack on its left flank. During the day the 1st Battalion held positions on Hill 173. At 0930 hours the Regimental Command Post was bombed by enemy aircraft, the Regimental S-3 becoming a casualty. The 3rd Battalion progressed slowly in town clearing enemy from another block of houses. On the night of February 6-7 plans were made to continue the attack. Aggressive patrolling was carried out to locate enemy MG and self-propelled gun positions. Small advances were made. During the night of February 7-8 the 2nd (100th) Battalion reverted to Regimental control and moved to an assembly area in the vicinity of Hill 175. On the morning of February 8th the Regiment attacked at 0645 hours supported by tanks and smoke with all three Battalions in the assault, the 2nd (100th) Battalion on the right, 1st Battalion in the center. The 2nd (100th) Battalion advanced rapidly and was ordered to hold up its advance and consolidate positions in the vicinity of Hill 165 to protect the right flank of the Regiment. The 1st Battalion advanced to the North West slope of Hill 193, the 3rd Battalion supported by tanks made slight gains into the Northern edge of Cassino, its advance was halted by heavy Anti-Tank and MG fire. At 1315 hours Company "L" resumed the advance behind tanks advancing to positions along the Northernmost East-West road through Cassino. During the attack several buildings containing strong points were demolished by eight inch guns. The 2nd (100th) Battalion knocked out one enemy tank and damaged one enemy self-propelled gun by bazooka fire. During the night the Battalions consolidated positions and held their respective sectors. February 9th the 1st Battalion strengthened its positions, the 2nd (100th) Battalion held and continued to wipe out enemy resistance in their sector, the 3rd Battalion made slight gains against determined enemy resistance and destroyed two enemy half-track vehicles. Eight inch howitzers fired precision fire on observed enemy targets in Cassino. Five buildings were taken during the day. February 10th the Regiment held in place and continued to strengthen positions, at 1200 hours the 3rd Battalion resumed the attack in Cassino meeting determined resistance from buildings in town, one building was taken. Heavy enemy artillery fire fell during the period. Slight gains were made in Cassino. Close in defensive fires were prepared for the sector. On the night of February 10th the Regiment remained in place. The 3rd Battalion continued the attack against heavy resistance February 11th, making slight gains. The 1st Battalion moved from (853215) to the left flank of the 3rd Battalion in Cassino to attack the jail at approximately 0430 hours February 12th. The jail was taken at approximately 0700 hours by Company "C" 1st Battalion. The 3rd Battalion continued the attack to the right of the 1st Battalion in the West half of town clearing houses North of 214 grid lines, two buildings were taken during the period. The 2nd (100th) Battalion remained in place and plans were made for the 2nd (100th) Battalion to assist in clearing the city of the enemy. During the night of February 12th, 57mm Anti-Tank guns were placed in position to fire at known enemy positions, 300 rounds were fired during the day at enemy positions on Hill 193 west of the Castle. The 1st and 3rd Battalions maintained pressure on the enemy while the 2nd (100th) Battalion remained in Regimental Reserve. On the night of February 13th the 2nd (100th) Battalion moved into Cassino attached to the 3rd Battalion. During the day 300 rounds of 57mm were fired. On February 15th the Regiment held assigned sectors, Cannon Company firing 1672 rounds, Anti-Tank 325 rounds, Company "A" 2nd Cml [Chemical Mortar] Battalion 325 rounds, the Monastery was bombed by our airforce. During the period February 18th to 21st, the Regiment remained in position, strong pressure was maintained against the enemy. patrols drew small arms and MG fire. Harassing enemy artillery and mortar fire was received during the entire period. During the entire period February 1-22nd the enemy held commanding ground and was well dug in, in well prepared reinforced positions and had advantage of observation from the Abbey and the high ground behind Cassino. Enemy mine fields were well prepared and covered by excellent field of fire, MG nests in steel and concrete bunkers had to be stormed. Progress was measured by yards and by buildings. Each building had been converted into an enemy strong-point. Fighting was intense throughout the period. One third of Cassino was captured and held by the Regiment when relieved February 21-22. Casualties were heavy. All three Battalions were below 50% of authorized strength when relieved. The enemy took severe losses, including 138 Prisoners captured by our troops during the period. Plans were completed for the relief of the Regiment by the 6th NZ Brigade, relief being accomplished on the night of February 21-22. The Regiment moved to an assembly area in the vicinity of S. Michele from where it moved on the night of February 22nd to a training area in the vicinity of Alife closing in the new area at 0020 hours February 23rd. The Regiment remained in this area at the close of the period. Training to obtain a high standard of physical fitness and combat efficiency was stressed. CARLEY L. MARSHALL. Colonel, Infantry. Commanding. OFFICIAL: s/Roy L. Stephenson ROY L. STEPHENSON. Captain, Infantry. Adjutant.