Operation Husky, launched on 10 July 1943, was one of the largest amphibious operations of the Second World War. Its objective was clear: seize and hold the island of Sicily as a stepping stone into mainland Italy and the underbelly of Fortress Europe.
Background
Following the successful conclusion of the North African campaign in May 1943, Allied planners turned their attention to the next phase of operations in the Mediterranean. Churchill famously pressed for an attack through what he called the "soft underbelly of Europe," and Sicily offered the most logical next objective — close enough to Tunisia to be within fighter range, large enough to contain major airfields, and its capture would threaten the Italian mainland directly.
The operation was assigned to General Sir Harold Alexander's 15th Army Group, comprising General Bernard Montgomery's Eighth Army on the eastern axis and General George Patton's Seventh US Army on the western. Canada's contribution came in the form of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division and the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, making Husky the first major Canadian ground action since Dieppe.
The Landings
The invasion armada — over 3,000 vessels — departed from ports across North Africa, Malta, and the Middle East. Despite a heavy storm on the eve of the operation that nearly caused postponement, the landings went ahead on the night of 9–10 July 1943.
The Canadians landed on the left flank of the British sector near Pachino in the southeastern corner of the island. Meeting lighter resistance than expected on the beaches, the 1st Canadian Division pushed rapidly inland.
The airborne component fared less well. High winds scattered Allied paratroopers across the island, and friendly fire from the invasion fleet — mistaking returning transport aircraft for enemy bombers — caused significant casualties among the 82nd Airborne's second lift.
The Campaign
The subsequent campaign lasted 38 days and was marked by difficult terrain, intense heat, and stubborn German rearguard actions as Axis forces conducted a fighting withdrawal northward toward Messina. The Germans, recognising the island was lost, executed a masterful evacuation across the Strait of Messina, ferrying over 100,000 troops and much of their heavy equipment to the Italian mainland before the Allies could close the trap.
For the Canadians, the Sicily campaign was a crucial proving ground. The 1st Division fought through Agira, Regalbuto, and a series of fortified hill towns in the centre of the island, building the combat experience and confidence that would serve them through the long Italian campaign ahead.
Significance
Operation Husky knocked Italy out of the war — within weeks of Sicily's fall, Mussolini was deposed and the Italian government began secret armistice negotiations with the Allies. The island also provided the Allies with airfields from which they could range across the central Mediterranean and strike targets across southern Europe.
For Canada, Sicily was the beginning of a long and costly commitment to the Italian theatre — a campaign that would last nearly two more years and cost the Canadian Army over 26,000 casualties.