{"product_id":"monte-cassino-45th-anniversary-medal","title":"Monte Cassino 45th Anniversary Medal","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eMonte Cassino 45th Anniversary Medal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eA striking \u003cb\u003eMonte Cassino 45th Anniversary Medal\u003c\/b\u003e, issued to commemorate forty-five years since the liberation of Monte Cassino and the end of the bitter Gustav Line battles in 1944. Produced for the major anniversary events held in \u003cb\u003e1989\u003c\/b\u003e, the medal was presented to veterans who returned for the commemoration, most notably former members of the \u003cb\u003eBritish\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003ePolish\u003c\/b\u003e forces who had taken part in the gruelling fighting for the abbey and the Liri Valley.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eWell struck in base metal with an antique bronze finish, the medal features an evocative depiction of the shattered abbey on the obverse, a powerful reminder of the destruction and sacrifice associated with the campaign. The reverse carries inscriptions marking the 45th anniversary of the battle. It is fitted with its correct ribbon of \u003cb\u003egreen, white and red\u003c\/b\u003e, echoing the national colours of Italy and reflecting the campaign’s setting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAlthough a privately issued commemorative rather than an official state decoration, the medal has become highly collectable for its strong association with veterans of the Italian campaign. Many British and Polish survivors wore these medals proudly at reunions and memorial services, recognising the shared sacrifice of the multinational forces who fought through the winter mountains, river crossings and fortified heights of Cassino.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eA clean, appealing example of this popular veteran’s medal, ideal for collectors of Italian campaign material or Monte Cassino commemorative awards.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"\u003eAJMS Medals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AJMS Medals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52877275660634,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/9850\/1466\/files\/20251126_130850.png?v=1764333585","url":"https:\/\/ajms-medals.com\/products\/monte-cassino-45th-anniversary-medal","provider":"AJMS Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}