Upon reaching the peak, the marker is located at the entrance of a small cave on the west side of a small depression in a saddle on the mountaintop. It is approximately 75 meters downhill west of the Monte La Defensa First Special Service Force Marker.

Marker

A concrete marker with a molded inscription. The marker is located on the ground above the entrance to a cave.

This marker is located at the entrance of a cave that the First Special Service Force (FSSF) used as an aid station during the battle of Monte La Defensa in early December 1943.

The heroic capture of Monte La Defensa (also know as Hill 960 and Monte La Difensa) was key to the Allies controlling the Mignano Gap. Taking the Mignano Gap was key to the 5thArmy Drive to the Liri Valley, which was the passage to Rome. The FSSF was a joint Canadian-US unit and was considered the precursor to the modern Special Forces. The FSSF was also known as the “Devil’s Brigade” and a movie entitled the same, starring William Holden, culminates with the Hollywood version of the attack of Monte La Defensa.

The Cave is named for Major Edward Hill Thomas who commanded a battalion of the FSSF. Major Hill was wounded during the battle and spent time in the cave before being evacuated to the valley floor, a nine-hour climb down Monte La Defensa. See the Monte La Defensa First Special Service Marker on this website for more information about the battle.

The text is in English and reads:

Thomas Hotel

The symbol of the First Special Service Force is the right of the text.