The Italian Campaign 1943 – the end of the war

The Italian Campaign Disagreement between US and Britain about how to defeat the Axis powers US wants to invade France – Large Army Britain wants to weaken enemy with small attacks in the Mediterranean Attack France in 1944 – smaller campaign in Italy 1943

The Italian Campaign A combined British-Canadian-American invasion of Sicily began on 10 July 1943 Allies take island, but Axis powers evacuate most men and equipment British forces land at “the toe” of Italy Sept. 3 1943 Italy signs armistice – Germans fight on without Italian support

The Italian Campaign Hitler did not want to lose Italy – spring board to the Balkan states where key German resources were located – Oil, copper etc. Line of defense set up around Rome Allies did not breakthrough until May 1944 Canada’s first major ground participation in the Second World - cost 25,264 casualties, 5,900 of them fatal over 76,000 Canadians served in Italy.

The Italian Campaign http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/lau nch_ani_italy_campaign.shtml

The Battle of Ortona

The Battle of Ortona Ortona was a modern port and a communications center for the German army Canadian objective was to take port with little damage Occurred in Dec. 1943 Was given the name of “little Stalingrad” or “Canada’s Stalingrad” – city fighting

The Battle of Ortona Attack began at the Moro (series of valleys, ridges) Hard fighting – Germans had better strategic positions The next obstacle was “the Gully” - a long ravine fortified by German mines, armor, and machine guns Mud was also an obstacle – Can. Tanks, and equipment stuck

The Battle of Ortona Dec. 18th they pushed towards their goal Launched Operation Morning Glory - objective was to drive a wedge into the enemy defenses to the south and west of Ortona Operation Morning Glory was successful

The Battle of Ortona House to house battles – like Stalingrad Germans were intent on holding the city Fought over Christmas of 1943 Royal Edmonton Regiment given the task of clearing the city

The Battle of Ortona Tactic employed called “mouse-holing” start on top floor, use explosives to gain access to next building & then lob grenades down stairs to clear main floor “Streets of houses were to be taken, both sides….A section would perhaps storm its way into a house at the head of the block, clear it to the top, then blow a way throughout at roof-level into the adjoining house, where it would clear to the bottom. Then it would go back up to the top…”

The Battle of Ortona During the night of Dec. 27 Germans withdrew 2 339 brave Canadian soldiers lay dead, wounded, and missing Showed the courage and bravery that has defined Canadian soldiers for hundreds of years (HS?) Significant as it proved the worth of Canadian soldiers and defined Canada in WW2 (HS?)