Operation Husky - The Invasion Sicily Italy
On the night of 9–10 July 1943, the Allies invaded Sicily Italy.
The departure of the invading forces was from Tunis, where the 8th and 7th Armies were concentrated at the end of the battles in North Africa.
The invasion was carried out by British forces under the command of General Montgomery and American forces under the command of US General George Patton. The island was occupied by two spearheads - one British and the other American. From there the Allies went on to invade Italy on September 3. The battles in Italy were especially difficult due to the mountainous structure of the country and the stubborn resistance of the Germans. Thanks to massive bombardments and further landings along the coast of Italy, the wall of resistance was breached and the allies advanced northward.
Invasion Goals
There were several objectives for the invasion:
1. From Sicily it was possible to move onto Italy, thus opening a Second Front in Europe.
2. Strengthening the control of the Allies in the Mediterranean and in the Balkans.
3. The opening of a Second Front would make things easier for the Soviet Union, thereby increasing cooperation between the West and the East.
4. Utilisation of the forces that were now available in Tunisia after the victory in North Africa.
The success of the Allies was due to several reasons:
1. The Germans thought the invasion would be in Greece.
2. The invasion was carried out by large amphibious forces and a fleet of 2,700 ships.
3. The two excellent superior commanders - Montgomery and Patton.
Invasion results
Mussolini's status deteriorated rapidly due to the succession of Italian defeats Italy (Ethiopia, North Africa, Sicily, the bombing of Rome) and the lack of assistance from Hitler. On July 24, 1943, the Supreme Fascist Council demanded his dismissal, and the next day the King dismissed him and he was arrested.
Marshal Badoglio, the Conqueror of Ethiopia, replaced him as Prime Minister. He dismantled the Fascist Party, but due to German pressure, he declared that Italy would continue to fight. At the same time, his representatives signed a secret surrender agreement in Lisbon with the Allied representatives on September 3, 1943, the day they invaded Italy after the capture of Sicily. The meaning of this agreement was that the Italian army stopped fighting and the German army defended Italy on its own.