On January 9th 1944, the 3ème Division d’Infanterie Algérienne (3ème DIA) completed the relief of US 45th ID, under very bad climatic conditions (snow and freezing rain). Facing these French troops were numerous bare hills under the control of German GebirgsJager Division 5. As part of a combined attack with the French 2ème Division d’Infanterie Marocaine (2ème DIM) planned for January 12th, at 06:15 in the morning, the 3ème Régiment de Tirailleurs Algériens (3ème RTA/3ème DIA) was ordered to take control of the Monna Acquafondata heights and then exploit any gaps along the Vallerontonda-San Elia road to the Rapido River and Cassino. Army corps artillery and air support would support the assault.
Attacker: Free French (3ème Régiment de Tirailleurs Algériens, 3ème Division d'Infanterie Algérienne)
Defender: German (I.Bataillon, GebirgsJager-Regiment.100)
