Derek+--+Sicily+&+Italy

The Battle Of Sicily ** Allied: U.K, U.S, France, Canada Axis: Italy, Germany Allied casualties: 22,000 German casualties: 10,000 Italian casualties: 132,000

Codnamed Operation Husky, it was a large scaled amphibious and airbourne assualt that ended after 6 weeks of land combat. It ended in stratigic allied victory that opened up the way to Italy.

Strategy: The original plan contemplated a strong advance by the British north along the east coast to Messina with the Americans in a supporting role along their left flank **10th - Invasion of Sicily, Operation 'Husky'** (see map above) The Americans still wanted to concentrate on the cross-Channel invasion of France, but at the Casablanca Conference somewhat reluctantly agreed to go ahead with the Sicily landings. Amongst the benefits would be the opening of the Mediterranean to Allied shipping. The final plan was approved in mid-May and not much more than a month later the first US troop convoys were heading across the Atlantic for an operation even greater than the French North African landings the previous November. **Allied Commander-in-Chief** - US Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower **Allied Naval Commander Expeditionary Force** - Adm Sir Andrew Cunningham  ||

**Gulf of Gela, S coast**  || **South of Syracuse, SE coast**  || **US 7th Army - Gen Patton** 66,000 troops  || **Eighth Army - Gen Montgomery** 115,000 British & Canadian troops  || United States, Algeria, Tunisia  || Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Malta; Canadian division from Britain  || Commanders: || **Western** Rear-Adm H K Hewitt USN  || **Eastern** Adm Sir B Ramsey  || Battleships Carriers Cruisers Destroyers Submarines Other warship Troopships, supply ships, LSIs etc Landing Ships and Craft (major) || **U.S.A.** - - 5 48 - 98 94   190   ||   **British & Allied** 6 2 10 80 26 250 237   319   ||  **435 USN**   || **930 RN**  || 510 USN  || 715 RN  ||
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 * Plus Landing Craft (minor) ||