http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1944/mar44/f15mar44.htm
Allies bombard Cassino
Wednesday, March 15, 1944 www.onwar.com
In Italy... Forces of the US 5th Army launches new attacks on Cassino. A preliminary bombardment consisting of 14,000 tons of bombs and 190,000 shells is directed on the town. The New Zealand 2nd Division then attacks with the 4th Indian Division to follow up against the monastery. Armored support is hampered by the rubble created during the bombardment. The German 1st Paratroop Division offers strong resistance. Allied forces make some gains at Castle Hill and Hangman’s Hill.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces of the 2nd Ukrainian Front (Konev) cross the Bug River and capture Vapnyarka, thereby cutting the Odessa-Zhmerinka rail line. To their north, troops of the 1st Urkainian Front (Vatutin) capture Kalinkova, near Vinnitsa.
In the Solomon Islands... On Bougainville, there are renewed attacks by Japanese forces against the American beachhead. US forces hold the effort.
In the Admiralty Islands... On Manus Island, elements of the US 7th and 8th Cavalry Divisions land on the north coast, near Lugos Mission. The Americans advance toward Lorengau along two routes.
In Burma... The Japanese 15th and 31st Divisions begin crossing the Chindwin River, north and south of Homalin.