A sharp setback came with the Second World War. Roccaraso was located right on the head of the Gustav line, the system of fortifications with which the Germans tried to stop the advance of the Allies after the landing at Salerno in September 1943.
The Second World War brought about a major obstacle for Roccaraso. It was positioned right on the Gustav line, a defensive structure built by the Germans to hinder the Allies' progress after their landing at Salerno in September 1943.