WWII Frontlines

Midway is a tiny atoll that became the location for the most decisive naval battle in the Pacific War. It should have been an easy victory for the Japanese: their battle fleet vastly outgunned its US rivals and pitted four carriers against three, while their pilots were far more experienced and flew much better aircraft. Yet somehow the Americans turned the Japanese trap at Midway into a bold ambush, gambling everything they had to sink the four Japanese carriers. But they had to take a huge risk to do it.

In January 1944 thousands of Allied troops converge on Monte Cassino. Atop the near-vertical hillside is a vast Benedictine abbey that the Allies believe is being used by the Germans. In reality its Commander – a lay member of the religious order - has forbidden its military use. Despite this, over the next four months the Monastery is reduced to rubble and the fight claims over 200,000 casualties.

On January 22nd 1944, two divisions land at the Italian port of Anzio in one of the easiest Allied amphibious assaults of the war. But they fail to exploit their advantage, giving the German defenders time to reinforce. The battle descends into a vicious duel of artillery. When the stalemate is broken by ‘Operation Diadem' General Mark Clark disobeys orders allowing two German Armies to escape.