Allied landing on Sicily

In mid-May the war in North Africa ended with the capitulation of German and Italian forces in Tunisia. Now the Allies face the task of storming Hitler’s widely propagandised „Fortress Europe“.

Source: National Archives & Record Administration American soldiers on a donkey cart in the city of Gela on the southcoast of sicily

On 10 July 1943 American and British troops under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower land on Sicily („Operation Husky“). In view of the defeat in North Africa, the fighting morale of the Italian defenders is not at all high. The German troops offer fierce resistance but have to withdraw a few weeks later across the Straight of Messina to the Italian mainland. By 17 August the Allies have completed the conquest of Sicily.