Editing Battle of Monte Cassino (section)

===French Corps halted on the right flank===
On the right, the Moroccan-French troops made strategical initial progress against the [[German 5th Mountain Division]], commanded by General [[Julius Ringel]], gaining positions on the slopes of their key objective, Monte Cifalco. Forward units of the [[3rd Algerian Infantry Division]] had also by-passed Monte Cifalco to capture Monte Belvedere and Colle Abate. General Juin was convinced that Cassino could be bypassed and the German defences unhinged by this northerly route but his request for reserves to maintain the momentum of his advance was refused and the one available reserve regiment (from 36th Division) was sent to reinforce 34th Division.<ref>E. D. Smith, pp. 63–64 & 68.</ref> By 31 January the French had ground to a halt with Monte Cifalco, which had a clear view of the French and U.S. flanks and supply lines, still in German hands. The two Moroccan-French divisions sustained 2,500 casualties in their struggles around Colle Belvedere.<ref name="Majdalany, p. 91">{{harvnb|Majdalany|1957|p=91}}</ref>