Allied Invasion of Sicily: July 9-August 17, 1943
Allied Invasion of Sicily: July 9 - August 17, 1943
(Codename: Operation Husky)
On July 10, 1943, American, British, and Canadian troops landed on Sicily, Italy. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was the overall commander whilst the naval command was led by Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew B. Cunningham, RN. The Western Naval Task Force was commanded by Vice Admiral H. Kent Hewitt, USN, landing the U.S. Seventh Army, led by Lieutenant General George S. Patton, USA. The Eastern Naval Task Force was commanded by Vice Admiral Sir Bertram H. Ramsey, RN, landing the British Eighth Army, led by General Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, British Army. Despite the lack of air coverage, this landing was the first extensive use of LST's and smaller landing craft to deliver heavy equipment over the beach. The Allies attacked at three distinct Sicilian points: Scoglitti, Gela, and Licata. German planes sank USS Maddox (DD-622), USS LST 313, and USS Sentinel (AM-113). Naval gunfire continued to support the forces throughout the Sicilian campaign. Upon the troops entering Messina on August 17, this part of the Italian Campaign was secured.
Image: PR-13-CN-1971-246-10: Operation Husky, July-August 1943. U.S. Army Air Force Reconnaissance plane photograph shows part of the southeastern Sicilian coast on July 10. U.S. Army Photograph: 24195A. Courtesy of the Library of Congress. (2017/05/26).
