Chapter 7 The Big Picture: A Short History of World War II | 149 |
On July 10, General Patton’s forces land, smash through light resistance, and quickly take Gela, Licata, and Vittoria; Montgomery’s troops land unopposed and capture Syracuse by the end of the day.
The landing forces use, for the first time, two craft that will play important roles in the Normandy invasion: the landing ship, tank (LST) and landing craft, tank (LCT), which enable the Allies to land armor with the first wave of infantry.
Patton’s forces swing west and capture Palermo on July 22; they surround 50,000 Italian soldiers, although motorized units, including most of the Germans, escape toward the northeast corner of the island.
On July 25 Mussolini is overthrown. Marshal Badoglio forms a new cabinet; he declares martial law and promises Germany that he will not negotiate a peace with the Allies. But Badoglio immediately breaks his promise. An armistice is signed on August 3 and announced to the public on August 8. Hitler responds by sending reinforcements to Italy.
The Americans use small amphibious landings on the north coast of Sicily to push the Axis forces back. There are landings at Santa Agata (August 8), Brolo (August 11), and Cape Milazzo (August 15); each compels the Germans and Italians to pull farther back. When American and British units capture Randazzo on the north side of Mount Etna on August 14, Axis defenses begin to crumble.
On August 17, Patton’s troops enter Messina; British units a few hours later, and the campaign for Sicily is over. The Germans and Italians have evacuated more than 100,000 men across the Messina Strait. German casualties exceed 10,000 and the Italians lose over 100,000, mostly as prisoners. The Allies suffer 7,000 dead and 15,000 wounded, but their success in Sicily convinces many that the offensive in the Mediterranean should continue.
Fierce Encounters The
Landings in Italy
The campaigns in Sicily and Italy teach the Allies a number of important lessons that they will apply in France in 1944. Many of the commanders who bring units ashore here, including Eisenhower, Montgomery, Patton, General Omar Bradley, and General Norman Cota, will play major roles in Operation Overlord.
