With the battalion formed in a square at attention, the officers salute to those lying in graves at Piedmonte d’Alife, Italy in late May 1944 P1480 .
On 17 May 1944 the battalion began its advance up the Liri Valley towards the Adolph Hitler Line defences stretching across the Liri valley from Monte Cassino to the west. On 22 May, the 48th Highlanders attacked the Hitler Line in what was intended by higher command as a feint, whose goal was to convince the Germans that this would be the location of the 1st Canadian Division’s attack on the line. The 48th, as a single battalion and with out support from artillery or tanks, breached the line on the 22nd and by the close of 23 May had formed a large beachhead within the line for the balance of the 1st Brigade to follow through. Following their success the 48th moved to Piedmonte d’Alife to recover and prepare for their next engagement.