Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 6.500 inches (16.51 cm) | Width: 1.625 inches (4.128 cm)
Archival History
The medal was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2000 by Joan Ringelheim.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Joan Ringelheim
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Monte Cassino Commemorative Cross [Krzyż Pamiątkowy Monte Cassino] awarded to Marcus Rosenzweig, a soldier in the 2nd Polish Corps, British Army, for participation in the Battle of Monte Cassino, as well as Piedimonte and Passo Corno in Italy. This May 1944 victory was the fourth attempt by Allied forces since January 1944 to break through German defenses blocking the advance into Italy.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Bronze cross with equilateral arms with incised grooves and outward curving, radiant tips with an attached grosgrain ribbon with alternating, vertical stripes of equal width: 6 blue, 5 orange. The face has a central tablet embossed with Polish text and date. The reverse of the square is engraved with a number that may indicate place within order of issue. The ribbon is inserted through a suspension ring attached to a ring suspension attached to a loop in the cross point. The design of the cross echoes that used by the order of St. Benedict, who founded the Monte Cassino Abbey in 529.
Corporate Bodies
- Anders' Army (Polish 2nd Corps)
Subjects
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Poland--Personal narratives.
- World War, 1939-1945--Participation, Jewish.
- Jewish soldiers--Poland--Biography.
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, Polish.
Genre
- Military Insignia
- Object