Invasion of Italy (Sicily & Ortona)
The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill decided that the best way to gain control of Europe was through Italy, the “soft underbelly” of Europe. After the Axis defeat in North Africa, the Allies planned to invade Sicily. The Allied ships in the Mediterranean Sea were being bombed from Sicily so in order to keep their ships safe, the Allies planned to take Sicily from the Axis.
In July 1943, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division and the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade were selected to take part in the Invasion of Sicily, code-named Operation “Husky”. On July 10, 1943, under the command of Eisenhower, the troops landed along the south coast of Sicily. The fighting in Sicily was very bitter. The Germans took advantage of the mountains and rivers, and made every advance difficult. After two weeks of fighting, Palermo, the capital of Sicily, fell to the Allies and last of the defending Germans left Sicily on August 17, 1943. During the Sicilian campaign, the Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini fell from power and Italy’s new Prime Minister Pietro Badoglio began secret peace talks with the Allies. However, the Germans took over and faced the Allies on the Italian Peninsula.
On September 3, 1943, Allied forces began landing in southeastern Italy but the main invasion did not start until September 9, which was the day after the armistice was publicly announced. The Canadians met little resistance from the Germans who withdrew to establish defences across mountainous areas of the peninsula. The Canadians captured Reggio, and advanced across the Aspromonte Mountains and along the Gulf of Taranto to Catanzaro. On October 1 at Motta, the Canadians fought their first battle with the Germans in Italy. Two weeks later on October 14 and 15, the Canadians took Campobasso and Vinchiaturo. Around the same time, one unit of the Canadian Army Tank Brigade supported a British assault at Termoli and its advance to the Sangro River.
In December 1943, the Battle of Ortona took place. Ortona was impregnable on three sides; with sea cliffs on the north and east, and a deep ravine in the west. The Canadians first attacked the town from the south on December 20 and progressed slowly because of the difficult terrain and German defence. This battle was fought house by house lasted over a month. During the fighting, the Canadians used a tactic called “mouse-holing”, which was blasting through walls and buildings. 1372 Canadian soldiers were killed in taking this town and almost 25% of all Canadians killed in the Mediterranean theatre. The Battle of Ortona was nicknamed “Little Stalingrad” by Matthew Halton, a radio journalist, and was one of the best known battles fought by the Canadians in WWII. They showed much innovation and adaptation.
The Invasion of Italy caused the Axis powers to defend two fronts instead of one, spreading out the troops. After the rough and treacherous fighting, the Allies took Rome on June 4, 1944. The fighting continued in Italy until May 1945, with the Allies advancing to Northern Italy.
In July 1943, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division and the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade were selected to take part in the Invasion of Sicily, code-named Operation “Husky”. On July 10, 1943, under the command of Eisenhower, the troops landed along the south coast of Sicily. The fighting in Sicily was very bitter. The Germans took advantage of the mountains and rivers, and made every advance difficult. After two weeks of fighting, Palermo, the capital of Sicily, fell to the Allies and last of the defending Germans left Sicily on August 17, 1943. During the Sicilian campaign, the Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini fell from power and Italy’s new Prime Minister Pietro Badoglio began secret peace talks with the Allies. However, the Germans took over and faced the Allies on the Italian Peninsula.
On September 3, 1943, Allied forces began landing in southeastern Italy but the main invasion did not start until September 9, which was the day after the armistice was publicly announced. The Canadians met little resistance from the Germans who withdrew to establish defences across mountainous areas of the peninsula. The Canadians captured Reggio, and advanced across the Aspromonte Mountains and along the Gulf of Taranto to Catanzaro. On October 1 at Motta, the Canadians fought their first battle with the Germans in Italy. Two weeks later on October 14 and 15, the Canadians took Campobasso and Vinchiaturo. Around the same time, one unit of the Canadian Army Tank Brigade supported a British assault at Termoli and its advance to the Sangro River.
In December 1943, the Battle of Ortona took place. Ortona was impregnable on three sides; with sea cliffs on the north and east, and a deep ravine in the west. The Canadians first attacked the town from the south on December 20 and progressed slowly because of the difficult terrain and German defence. This battle was fought house by house lasted over a month. During the fighting, the Canadians used a tactic called “mouse-holing”, which was blasting through walls and buildings. 1372 Canadian soldiers were killed in taking this town and almost 25% of all Canadians killed in the Mediterranean theatre. The Battle of Ortona was nicknamed “Little Stalingrad” by Matthew Halton, a radio journalist, and was one of the best known battles fought by the Canadians in WWII. They showed much innovation and adaptation.
The Invasion of Italy caused the Axis powers to defend two fronts instead of one, spreading out the troops. After the rough and treacherous fighting, the Allies took Rome on June 4, 1944. The fighting continued in Italy until May 1945, with the Allies advancing to Northern Italy.