Italy 1943-1945

The Sicilian Campaign

The next step after driving the Axis out of Africa was the invasion of Italy, for which naval, military and air preparations were at once commenced. By this time the Italian Navy had been practically eliminated and the planned bombing of Italian ports, arsenals and communications had proceeded as far as our air strength permitted, but an increasing number of Luftwaffe squadrons had been sent from Germany to support the Italians.

It was decided to occupy Sicily first, and the original landing there took place on 10th July, 1943. No part of the Regiment took part in the Sicilian campaign, which was completed in August, or in the subsequent landing operations on the Italian coast.

Invasion of Italy

General Alexander had at his disposal the Eighth Army under General Montgomery and the Fifth American Army. There were fifteen German divisions in Italy. On 3rd September the Eighth Army began its landing in the Straits of Messina and pushed on to join hands with the Fifth Army, which landed at Salerno, 200 miles farther north, on 9th September. The Eighth Army then advanced up the east coast, the Fifth up the west.

The Italian people welcomed the Allied troops. Mussolini fled to his German friends (he was subsequently murdered in Milan). The Italian Government concluded an armistice, but the German Army took control and put up a stout resistance.

The Allies entered Rome on 4th June, 1944, and the advance continued, but owing to troops being withdrawn to prepare for the invasion of France progress was slow and the final campaign which drove the Axis out of Italy did not take place until April, 1945, ten months later, after heavy fighting all the way.

On 8th May, 1945, the Germans surrendered and the war was over.