Operation Husky & Invasion of Sicily (July 1943) By: Julia Vendittelli

Introduction Sicily is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, south- west of Italy During the early stages of the Second World War, the island was under the control of Benito Mussolini and his fascist government

Planning The decision to invade Sicily was agreed by the Western Allies at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943 Operation Husky was to be a combined amphibious and airborne attack scheduled for that summer under the supreme command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Importance of Issue The importance of the invasion of Sicily during World War II was one of the most important Anglo-American campaigns of the war. It was the first assault by the western Allies on Fortress Europe. It set as an important guide. It also achieved its goal of driving Italy from the war. On September 3rd, a new Italian government signed a secret armistice with the Allied powers.

Key Figures General Dwight D. Eisenhower Winston Churchill He served as the prime minister of Great Britain from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. He led Britain's fight against Nazi Germany. Churchill was a talented orator, giving many speeches to boost national morale during the war. He was the popular 34th President of the United States, serving two terms from 1953 to 1961. He served as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II.

Key Figures Franklin D. Roosevelt He was the 32nd President of the United States and the only chief executive to be elected to more than two terms. Roosevelt held the presidency from 1934-1945, leading the United States through the Great Depression and World War II.

Course of Action In 1943, German forces began a six-day evacuation of Sicily. Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt decided that an invasion of Sicily was necessary in order to force the Germans to send troops to southern Europe and also to draw down the forces facing the Soviet Army on the Eastern Front. It was also hoped that a successful invasion would force Italy to withdraw from the war. The date of the invasion was set for July 10th. In January, 1943, with North Africa firmly in Allied hands, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt decided that an invasion of Sicily was necessary in order to force the Germans to send troops to southern Europe so as to draw down the forces facing the Soviet Army on the Eastern Front. It was also hoped that a successful invasion would force Italy to withdraw from the war. General Dwight Eisenhower was in charge of the operation, with General Harold Alexander commanding ground forces made up of General George Patton's 7th Army and General Bernard Montgomery's 8th British Army. The date of the invasion was set for July 10th.

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Outcome 100,000 German and Italian soldiers were successfully evacuated to the Italian mainland. Overall, the Sicily campaign was a success for the Allies in that it achieved all of its stated objectives. However, the escaping German soldiers were immediately put to work preparing for the defense of Italy, the next place for an Allied invasion. Over the next six days, 100,000 German and Italian soldiers were successfully evacuated to the Italian mainland. In addition, they brought with them nearly 10,000 vehicles, including 47 tanks and 97 heavy guns. 2,000 tons of ammunition were also loaded aboard the waiting ships. When General Patton's forces finally liberated Messina on August 17, 1943, the last evacuation ship had left just hours earlier. Overall, the Sicily campaign was a success for the Allies in that it achieved all of its stated objectives. However, the escaping German soldiers were immediately put to work preparing for the defense of Italy, the next logical place for an Allied invasion. American intelligence estimated that before the evacuation of Sicily, there were only two German divisions on the Italian mainland; afterwards, there were six. The failure to stop four divisions of well-trained, well-armed Germans at Messina would haunt the Allies as they fought up the boot of Italy for the remainder of the war.  

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Works Cited Dattilo, Matt. "Matt's Today in History: The German Army Begins Evacuation Of Sicily, August 11, 1943." Matt's Today in History: The German Army Begins Evacuation Of Sicily, August 11, 1943. N.p., 10 Aug. 2006. Web. 06 Apr. 2013. A&E Television Networks "Invasion of Sicily." History.com. 2013. Web. 06 Apr. 2013. McMillan, Peter. "Sicily." Spartacus Educational. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2013. "Pachino Day: The RCR Lands in Sicily, 10 July 1943." The Royal Canadian Regiment, 2013. Web. 06 Apr. 2013.