The capture of Monte Cassino resulted in 55,000 Allied casualties, with German losses estimated at around 20,000 killed and wounded. The battle has been described as a Pyrrhic victory.
For almost two years during the Second World War (1939-45), the Allies fought an attritional campaign in Italy against a resolute and skilful enemy. Far from being the 'soft underbelly of Europe', Italy became one of the war's most exhausting campaigns.