The Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross

• Time Period: World War II
• Year of Institution: June 1944
• Country: Poland

The Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross (or Krzyż Pamiątkowy Monte Cassino in Polish) is a commemorative medal awarded to all soldiers of the Polish II Corps who fought in the battle of Monte Cassino and the battles for Piedimonte and Passo Corno.

The Battle of Monte Cassino (also known as the Battle for Rome and the Battle for Cassino) was a costly series of four assaults by the Allies against the Winter Line in Italy held by Axis forces during the Italian Campaign of World War II. The intention was a breakthrough to Rome.

After the capture of Monte Cassino in May 1944, the Polish government-in-exile (in London) created a campaign cross to commemorate the role of the Polish II Corps (often known as Anders Army) in capturing this strategic point, which had long blocked the Allied advance up the Italian peninsula. A consignment of 50,000 crosses was ordered from a manufacturer in Tel Aviv, then part of British-ruled Palestine, where the Polish forces had spent part of 1942 and almost all of 1943 in training.

A total of 48,498 crosses were awarded with accompanying award documents issued in the field to each soldier who took part in the battle. The lists of named cross recipients are held at the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum.

The Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross Design

The medal is a cross with 4 equilateral arms, incised grooves and outward curving, radiant tips. It is struck in silver or bronze and measures 40 mm in diameter. The design of the cross echoes that used by the order of St. Benedict, who founded the Monte Cassino Abbey in 529.

The obverse (top left) bears the inscription “MONTE CASSINO MAJ 1944“. The reverse (top right) has the serial number of the medal.

The grosgrain ribbon has alternating vertical stripes of equal width: 6 blue, 5 orange. The ribbon is inserted through a suspension ring attached to a ring suspension attached to a loop in the cross point.