By 1943, the US and its Allies were on the offensive in WWII. Their next objective after the successful invasion of North Africa was Italy via the island of Sicily. The invasion of Sicily, code named “Operation Husky” was the Allies first assault on the Italian home soil which only took 39 days, from 10 July to 17 August 1943.
Film: The Invasion Of Sicily (1943)
Film: Forging Ahead In Sicily (1943)
Film: Invasion of Sicily | Livorno Div (Italian with English sub-titles)
Mafia Aid
The residents of Sicily were opposed to fascism and fascist dictator Benito Mussolini as most Americans were in 1943. All the Allies needed to do was to convince the Sicilians that we all are on the same side before landing there. The US government needed someone with connections on the island and a high enough profile to ensure that all the officials in Sicily were all in agreement. The ideal person was sitting in a cell in New York’s Great Meadow Correctional Facility. Whether guilty or not, the US government knew that Charles “Lucky” Luciano (1897 to 1962) was the head of a major organized crime syndicate in the city (the Mafia’s existence at the time was still unconfirmed). Born in Sicily but raised in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Luciano facilitated the removal of the city’s top two Mafia bosses and brought about fundamental changes to organized crime, setting up the Five Families to rule New York and establishing a National Crime Syndicate. For facilitating prostitution rings in New York City, he was convicted on prostitution charges in 1936.
The US Government knew that Luciano still had some control of his organization even while he was in prison. They had already made a deal with him in 1942 to use his organization to protect the docks in New York City from saboteurs and strikes. The anti-Mussolini Luciano was happy to help and he was running the gang from his cell by using Vito Genovese as his acting crime boss.
Setting a man like Luciano free to allow him to be part of the war effort was a big decision. When approached with the idea, Luciano suggested either parachuting him into Sicily or allowing him to get there himself via a neutral country, like Portugal. The US officials were split on the idea. Half were all in favor of winning by any means necessary and the other half were more worried about the post war public reaction if it was revealed that the US Navy sent the head of an American organized crime ring into a war zone.
Again, Luciano was only too happy to help with the US Government. He suggested US troops to land at the Gulf of Castellammare. Ultimately, Luciano was not freed for the war effort. Instead, he connected the US Navy to some trusted mafia contacts with insider information about the island. Luciano provided the names and his associate Meyer Lansky brought the men to the Office of Naval Intelligence for a debriefing. The mob boss also put US agents in touch with Sicilian connections on the island. The Sicilian resistance aided the Allied landings before and during the invasion.
It turned out that the Sicilian Mafia was also eager to help the US government. Mussolini’s regime had hit the mafia hard in the decades before WWII, jailing, torturing, and forcing many into exile. Although there is no official evidence of the mafia support during the actual landings, the US forces did swept through Sicily in little more than a month, while the British forces were frequently fought to a standstill. No one really knows for sure if the mafia convinced the Italians to give little resistance against the US forces.
For his assistance, the US government and the State of New York commuted Luciano’s sentence and he was released in 1946 and was immediately deported to Sicily. He made his way to Havana, Cuba and attempted to set up operations there, but the US pressured the Cuban government to force him to return to Italy. There he tried to keep a hold on his family back in the USA.
Deception Plan
Operation Mincemeat was a successful British deception operation to disguise the Allied invasion of Sicily. Two members of British intelligence obtained the body of Glyndwr Michael, a tramp who died by possible suicidal poisoning, dressed him as an officer of the Royal Marines and placed personal items on the body identifying him as the fictitious Captain (acting Major) William Martin. Also placed on the body was correspondence between two British generals which mentions that the Allies plan to invade Greece and Sardinia, with Sicily as merely the target of a feint.
A submarine transported the body to the southern coast of Spain and released it close to shore at night. The following morning, a Spanish fisherman found the body. The neutral Spanish government shared copies of the documents with the Abwehr, the German military intelligence organization, before returning the originals to the British. Forensic examination showed that the documents had been read and Ultra (at Bletchley Park) decrypts of German messages showed that the Germans believed the documents were genuine. German reinforcements were shifted to Greece and Sardinia before and during the invasion while Sicily received nothing. Ultra also provided information as to where the strongest enemy forces were located on the island.
The full effect of Operation Mincemeat is not known, but Sicily was liberated more quickly than anticipated and losses were lower than predicted.
The British released two films based on the events of Operation Mincemeat. The 1955 film titled “The Man Who Never Was” was the first and the second film was released in 2021 titled “Operation Mincemeat”.
Preparations
For the invasion, the Allies assembled a force of 160,000 troops from all Allied nations, 600 tanks, 14000 vehicles and a large number of ships and aircraft.
M4A1 Sherman tanks of the US 2nd Armored Division being loaded onto Landing Ship, Tank (LSTs) at Pêcherie, Bizerte, Tunisia.
My close up of the above photo. Note the early M3 Lee tank suspension and the individual tank number is painted on the side hull and on the turret rear.
The Invasion
British General Sir Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander (10 December 1891 to 16 June 1969) commanded the new 15th Army Group which was responsible for the landing forces for the invasion. Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery (17 November 1887 to 24 March 1976) commanded the British 8th Army which landed on beaches from Syracue down to Pachino at the most southern tip of the island. US General George Smith Patton Jr. (11 November 1885 to 21 December 1945) commanded the US 7th Army which landed on beaches at Licata, Gela and around Scoglitti along the southern west coast of the island.
On the map, the read circles indicate the areas of the main Axis forces on Sicily on 10 July 1943.
US Landings
As the reserve force of the Western Task Force of Operation Husky, the US 2nd Armored division landed on July 10th, in support of the US 1st Infantry Division at the Gela. The 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion landed at Gela on July 11th. Afterwards, the 2nd Armored next went into action in the second landing at Licata on July 21st after the US 3rd Infantry Division’s well known earlier landing on July 10th. General Omar Nelson Bradley (12 February 1893 to 8 April 1981) was in command of Shark Force, the US II Corps.
A M4A1 Sherman of the 3rd battalion HQ, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division come ashore fitted with early deep wading trunks. Note the canvas covering on the early narrow rotor shield of the 75mm gun.
M4A1 named “ETERNITY” leaving Red Beach 2 at Gela.
Another view of M4A1 “ETERNITY” driving down a sand dune. The serial number on the rear hull was painted in Blue Drab. Note the circled star on the turret roof and the early M3 Lee tank suspension.
M4A1 named “EL DIABLO” on a street in Gela.
A pair of M2 half-track cars of the 3rd battalion HQ, 67th Armored Regiment landed on shore. The long front bumper an stowage box on the closest half-track indicates that it has a power winch on the front bumper. The side racks hold 14 mines, 7 on each side. Note the field modified wooden stowage bin mounted on the rear hull.
These three T30 Howitzer Motor Carriages (HMC) are M3 Half-Track mounting a M1 75mm Pack Howitzer. Each armored regiment was issued 12 T30s. Three were used in each regimental reconnaissance platoon, and three were used in each of the assault gun platoons in the three battalion HQ companies. After Sicily, the T30 was replaced by the M8 HMC which was based on the M5 Stuart light tank.
DUKW
The DUKW (known as the “Duck”) was a six-wheel-drive amphibious version of the General Motors Corporation (GMC) 2 1⁄2-ton CCKW cargo truck with a watertight hull and a propeller. The initials DUKW came from the GMC model nomenclature:
D – 1942 production series
U – Utility
K – All wheel drive
W – Tandem rear axles, both driven
The DUKW was the first vehicle to allow the driver to vary the tire pressure from inside the cab. The tires could be fully inflated for hard surfaces such as roads and less inflated for softer surfaces such as beach sand. This added to its versatility as an amphibious vehicle where it could carry cargo from ships offshore directly across the landing beach and continue inland without having to upload. A high-capacity bilge pump system kept it afloat if the thin hull was breached by holes up to 2 inches (51 mm) in diameter. Its speed was 50 mph (80 km/h) on the road and 5.5 knots (6.3 mph; 10.2 km/h) in the water. It could carry a payload of 5000 lbs (2300 kg) of cargo or 24 troops. One in four DUKWs mounted a .50-caliber Browning heavy machine gun on a ring mount over the cab.
The DUKW was supplied to the US Army, US Marine Corps and other Allied forces. Britain received 2000 under the Lend-Lease program, Australian forces acquired 535, and 586 were supplied to the Soviet Union, whom built their own copy, the BAV 485 (ZIS-486), after the war. DUKWs were initially sent to Guadalcanal in the PTO, but the first time they were used by an invasion force was during the Sicily landings.
A US Army DUKW loaded with fuel drums coming ashore at Gela.
On Tuesday, July 13, the 31st Fighter Group HQ and the 309th Fighter Squadron transferred with Spitfires from Gozo Island, Malta to Ponte Olivo (northeast of Gela). Pilot Robert Rahn’s Spitfire of the 309th FS is being refueled from fuel drums delivered by a DUKW.
Film: NORTH AFRICA / ITALY: The invasion of Sicily (1943)
A DUKW drives pass a knocked out Tiger I tank of 504 schwere Panzer Abteilung (s.Pz.Abt. 504) near Ponte Dirillo (southeast of Gela).
US 753rd Tank Battalion
For 33 days, the battalion and its Sherman tanks was in transit to North Africa landing near Oran where it spent 6 weeks in Algeria preparing for the upcoming invasion. On July 10th at 1400 hours, Company C of the 753rd attached to 3rd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment landed on Blue Beach near Gela. Using rapid advance and flanking, the company and supporting infantry destroyed five Italian light tanks near the Comiso Airport. On July 11th at 0030 hours, Company A landed and was followed by Company B with HQ at 1230 hours.
The 753rd Tank Battalion was assigned to support the US 45th Infantry Division (157th, 179th, and 180th Infantry Regiments) it did not fought as a whole unit. Its companies and platoons were parsed out as fast reaction forces which responded to urgent calls of armor support from the infantry units including the 1st and 3rd Infantry Divisions. There were also 3 calls for armor support from the US 82nd Airborne Division.
During actions at Messina, their rapid advance and aggressive support of the troops knocked out 9 enemy trucks and AT guns including two towed 88mm flak guns. The aggressive push forced enemy troops to abandon up to 32 vehicles including some light tanks. The 753rd was known for pushing their units so hard that on July 23 a report went to US 2nd Corps from C Company stating the following, “Tanks are beginning to break down continuously for lack of 50 and 100 hour checks.”
Their direct efforts in the campaign directly resulted in assisting the various Infantry Divisions with up to around 1100 enemy troops captured and over 100 enemy vehicles and guns destroyed with 28 being enemy tanks.
US 70th Tank Battalion
The battalion equipped with M5 Stuart light tanks landed at Gela on July 14th. The 70th TB supported the US 1st Infantry Division (16th, 18th, and 26th Infantry Regiments). On July 16th, from tactics learned in the North African, they defeated an attack by 16 Pz.Kpfw. IVs, knocking out five and forcing the rest to retreat, opening the way for the advance to the Salso River. During 13 days of continuous combat, the battalion crossed four fifths of the island and became known as the “light tank outfit that opens closed pockets.” Being equipped with only light tanks, a couple M4 Shermans of the 753rd Tank Battalion were occasionally attached to their units.
Moroccan Goumiers
Goumier is a term used for Moroccan soldiers, who served in auxiliary units attached to the French Army, between 1908 and 1956. The French organized Moroccan groups titled as “Groupement de Tabors Marocains” (G.T.M.) Each group contained a command Goum (company) and three Tabors (battalions) of three Goums each. A Tabor contained four 81mm mortars and a total of 891 Goumiers. Each infantry Goum was authorized with 210 Goumiers, one 60mm mortar, two light machine guns, and seven automatic rifles.
On July 14th, the 4th Tabor of Moroccan Goumiers (part of the Free French Forces) landed at Licata consisting of fifty-eight Frenchmen and 678 Berbers with 117 horses and 126 mules. The unit was initially attached to Patton’s US Seventh Army. On 27 July 1943, the Goumiers of the 4th Tabor were attached to the US 1st Infantry Division and were recorded in the 26th Infantry Regiment’s combat reports about their remarkable courage.
They took positions in the mountains to protect the flanks of three US divisions in succession where they fought their way across the most difficult terrain on the island, taking heavy fire from Italian automatic weapons and German artillery. In one instance of friendly fire, RAF Spitfires strafed them relentlessly. In spite of all the punishment, they advanced along the ridge lines day after day with determination, steadily flushing out the enemy with their bayonets and taking many severely frightened prisoners who had heard horror stories about the ferocious Goumiers. Many Italian soldiers surrendered en masse, while the Germans began staging major withdraws from known areas where the Goumiers were advancing through. Sicily was the first time that the Goumiers had fought on soil outside of Africa, but it was not the last.
The Goumiers who follow the religion of Mohammed are of the Berber origin. The Berbers, not the Arabs, were the original natives of North Africa. Almost all the Goumiers wore beards because they believed that a man who has not seen action and has no beard is not a man at all. Most of the Goumiers had crinkly hair, close cropped except for a plaited pigtail. The Goumiers say the pigtail gives the lord something to grab hold of when he yanks them up to paradise. Many Goumiers did not particularly like the US Army C rations but instead preferred a steady diet of bread and green tea. Many of them found riding in a US Jeep a real thrill.
This Goumier was featured in Yank magazine and is shown sharpening his long bayonet. He is wear a French helmet and the distinctive brown and grey striped jellaba (a hooded Moroccan cloak) which was basically their uniform.
Commonwealth Armour Units
British Armor Units:
4th Armoured brigade
- 3rd County of London Yeomanry
- 44th Royal Tank Regiment (RTR)
- A Squadron, 1st Household Cavalry Regiment (attached as reconnaissance)
23rd Armoured brigade
- B Squadron, 46th RTR
- 50th RTR (minus HQ Squadron)
A Sherman III moving into action from the landing beach supporting the 51st Highland Infantry Division, Bark South (see above map). This Sherman has the early direct vision slots in front of the driver and co-driver hatches. It also has British WE210 rubber double-I tracks. The rails on the side hull are part of the “Sun Shield” framework to erect camo netting and canvas “artificial lorry” cover.
A Sherman III probably belonged to the 3rd County of London Yeomanry exiting LST 367 on July 10th.
This is my close up of the photo above. Foreward of the Red/White/Red recognition sign on the turret is the formation sign of the 51st Highland Infantry Division and forward of that is the name “CHURCHILL”. On the rear hull is the census number T-148240. Note the the early direct vision slots.
This is a Sherman III of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry. The camouflage colour scheme is Black over Light Mud.
Another Sherman III had exited LST 367. LST 367 was a Mk2 class landing ship. It was never commissioned into the USN but was transferred to the Royal Navy after completion.
A British Sherman III tank advances inland on July 10th. There is a large refueling funnel on the tank’s front left fender. Note the stowage (which appears to be tarps and camouflage netting) hanging low on the transmission housing just below the Red/White/Red recognition sign.
A British Sherman III in the streets of Francofonte. During 13 – 14 July, XIII Corps, Eighth Army began a major effort to reach Catania (on the east coast south of Monte Etna). Their efforts were resisted by German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) in and around Francofonte who delayed the British advance for two days.
A Sherman III tank after an action near Catania on July 22nd. The hatch on the engine deck is open for maintenance. The crewman in the foreground is cleaning or “pulls through” the 75mm main gun. On the rear side hull, the census number “T145999” is clearly seen.
Film: Fall Of Catania (1943)
Canadian Forces
The Canadian 1st Infantry Division consisted of troops from regiments from all across Canada:
- Royal Canadian Regiment
- Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
- 48th Highland Regiment (Toronto)
- Seaforth Highlanders
- Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
- Loyal Edmonton Regiment
- Royal 22nd Regiment,
- Carleton and York Regiment
- West Nova Scotia Regiment.
The 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade, the Canadian armour contingent, was commanded Major General Guy Granville Simonds (23 April 1903 to 15 May 1974). It was composed of:
- 11th Army Tank Regiment (Ontario Regiment)
- 12th Army Tank Regiment (Trois-Rivières Regiment)
- 14th Army Tank Regiment (Calgary Regiment)
The Calgary Regiment equipped with Churchill tanks participated in the failed Dieppe Raid (Operation Jubilee) in 1942.
The Trois-Rivières Regiment was part of the initial landing force, landing at Bark West, southest of Pacino at the most southern tip of Sicily.
Preparing for the Sicilian invasion in the spring of 1943, the tank crews of the Ontario Regiment had converted to the Sherman tank. This unit inspection was conducted in mid-June 1943.
Sherman tank named “Cobalt”, C Squadron, Trois-Rivières Regiment in Agira (west of Catania) in July. Note the early C Squadron marking on the front hull. The circle would been yellow since Trois-Rivières was the middle regiment in armoured precedence.
On August 2nd, Canadian 1st Brigade, the “Malta” Brigade (a British brigade under the Canadian 1st Division command), supported by Sherman tanks of the Trois-Rivières Regiment, captured Regalbuto (west of Monte Etna) after 2 days of bitter fighting in the hills surrounding the town. The 48th Highlanders entered the town and found it deserted. The defending elements of the Hermann Göring Panzer-Division had fled eastward before the advancing Canadians. The village was naturally protected in the mountains and had also been destroyed by artillery and aerial bombardment. Unlike other liberated villages, no Sicilians were there to greet the Canadians.
A Canadian Sherman tank passes through a bomb scarred dusty street in Regalbuto on August 5th.
Film: The Canadian Invasion of Sicily 1943
Race to Palermo
The British and Canadians were slugging their way through rough mountain roads along the east coast of Sicily and were encountering stiff resistance. Bradley’s II Corps was advancing along the British/Canadians protecting their left flank.
On July 17th, Patton visited Alexander in Tunisia and argued that an advance towards Palermo was better way to guard Montgomery’s left flank. Alexander reluctantly agreed but was skeptical of American capabilities remembering what happened at Kasserine Pass in North Africa 5 months earlier.
The spearhead of Patton’s advance was the 504th Parachute Brigade which started the 100 mile (160.9 km) race on July 19th. After the paratroopers gained 25 miles (40 km) on the first day, Patton decided to accelerate the advance by using the US 2nd Armored Division and Force X.
Lieutenant Colonel William Orlando Darby (8 February 1911 to 30 April 1945) commanded Force X. It consisted of:
- 1st and 4th Ranger Battalions
- 1st Battalion, 39th Combat Engineer Regiment
- three companies of the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion (4.2 inch mortars)
The next day’s advance captured 4000 Italian troops while the US 3rd Infantry Division moved up on foot. By July 22nd, both the 2nd Armored Division and the 3rd Infantry Division were on the outskirts of Palermo. Like Syracuse and Augusta in the British sector, Palermo was defended by substantial coastal defenses but the garrison showed little will to fight and surrendered that evening. The next day, the 82nd Airborne Division was ordered to capture the port of Trapani (west of Palermo) while other ports were occupied by elements of the 2nd Armored Division and Force X. The US 7th Army’s new mission was advance east towards Messina.
A self-propelled 105mm howitzer M7 Priest of the 2nd Armored Division passing civilians near Sciacca (on the northern west coast) on July 20th.
This is another M7 Priest driving through Sciacca. The tire of a M10 ammunition trailer can be seen behind the Priest. The trailer could carry 45 complete rounds of 105mm howitzer ammunition.
M4A1 Sherman tanks of the 2nd Armored Division driving down a street in Palermo on July 22nd. Civilians are waving white flags.
Film: Patton leaves headquarters in Palermo
Units of the 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division were catching up. This M3 half-track named “COCHRAN” is diving through Ribera (east of Sciacca) on July 25th.
This T30 HMC M3 Half-Track of the 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion passed the same building in the above photo. Both half-tracks have the early anti-ditching roller mounted on the front bumpers.
British Bishop SP
The Bishop was a British self-propelled gun based on the Valentine tank chassis and armed with a QF 25-pounder gun-howitzer. As a result of a rushed attempt to create a self-propelled gun, the vehicle had numerous problems, only 149 were built and was soon replaced by better designs. It had a crew of 4 (Commander, gunner, loader, and driver) and carried 32 25-pounder rounds. RA field regiments were organized into three 8-gun batteries which were intended to support an infantry brigade of three battalions.
A Bishop of the 142nd Field Regiment RA (Royal Devon Yeomanry) on July 27th. It is still wearing the US shipping marking “BB6/27” above the Red/White/Red recognition sign on the side.
This is my close up of the photo above. On the top edge of the gun shield is the name “EDMA II”. Edma as a girl’s name is related to the Old English name Edmonda. The meaning of Edma is “wealthy protector”. This Field Regiment was formed in September 1939 and was equipped with towed 25-pounder gun-howitzers until shortly before the Sicily invasion when it was re-equipped with Bishops.
Another Bishop of the 142nd Field Regiment firing on July 27th. It had the US shipping marking “BB6/25” on the side.
Bishops firing south of Agira (west of Catania) on July 25th.
Film: IWM AYY 512/2/1
An early M4 Sherman driving on an overpass near Mistretta (north of Nicosia). Source stated that this M4 belonged to the 2nd Armored Division but the 2nd AD did not advance that far east. It could belonged to the 753rd Tank Battalion support one of the infantry divisions.
This T12/M3 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) mounting a M1897A5 75mm gun and a gun shield supporting the 39th Infantry Regiment is stuck in a very narrow street in Cerami (northwest of Troina).
The Etna Line
The drive on Messina did not resemble Patton’s quick, cavalry like advance to Palermo. The city was protected by the most rugged terrain in Sicily, the Caronie Mountains and the towering Monte Etna. In addition, the Germans had constructed a series of strong points in the Caroine Mountains, called the Etna Line, that ran from the vicinity of Acireale on the east coast, around the southern base of Monte Etna, through the city of Tronia in the center, then north to San Fratello on the north shore. This is Sicily’s rugged northeast corner where the Axis had decided to make its last stand. But it was to be only a temporary stand as Berlin had decided to withdraw their forces gradually from the island.
There were just four narrow roads through the Etna Line, and only two of these actually went all the way to Messina. Possessing these vital arteries became the focal point of the campaign. The US and British armies were given two roads for the advance on Messina. A portion of the Eighth Army was to advance along the Adrano-Randazzo road that skirted the western slopes of Monte Etna, while the remainder endeavored to drive north along the eastern coastal road, Route 114, to Messina. The two northern roads were assigned to the US Seventh Army. The first, Route 120, ran through the interior of Sicily from Nicosia, through Troina, to Randazzo. The second, Highway 113, hugged the northern shoreline all the way to Messina.
Troina
The US 1st Infantry Division pushed its way eastward against stiffening enemy opposition, capturing Nicosia on July 28th before advancing east to Troina. Patton planned to pull the exhausted 1st Division out of the line once Troina was taken. However, the mountain village became the division’s toughest nut to crack, as well as the most bloodiest battle of the entire Sicily Campaign. Troina was one of the main anchors of the Etna Line and was defended by the 15th Panzer Grenadier Division and elements of the Italian Aosta Division. The Axis forces were deeply entrenched in hills that both dominated the approaches to the town and were difficult to out flank. The barren landscape, almost devoid of cover, made advancing US soldiers easy targets for the Axis gunners.
The battle began on July 31st, when the Germans repulsed an advance by the 39th Infantry Regiment, a US 9th Infantry Division unit temporarily attached to the 1st Division. The setback forced the Americans to launch a massive assault on the village. Over the next six days, the US 1st Infantry Division, together with elements of the US 9th Division, the 4th Tabor of Moroccan Goums, 165 artillery pieces (divided among 9 battalions of 105mm howitzers, 6 battalions of 155mm howitzers, and 1 battalion of 155mm “Long Tom” guns), and numerous Allied aircraft, were locked in deadly combat with Troina’s defenders. Control of key hilltop positions see-sawed back and forth in vicious combat, with the Germans launching no fewer than a two dozen counterattacks during the week long battle.
The village in the foreground is Troina and this view is to the northwest.
Italian Armor
Due to heavy losses in North Africa, the Italian army on Sicily had no armored divisions. Total tank strength was 148 tanks which consisted of two battalions with about 100 war-booty French Renault R-5 light tanks, two separate companies of obsolete Italian Fiat 3000 light tanks, and some scattered units with obsolete L.3 tankettes.
The most active Italian tank units in the early phase of the invasion were the 101° and 102° Battagline Carri equipped with the Renault R-35 tanks armed with 37mm cannons. In January 1942, the two battalion were sent to Sicily. The two battalions did not fight as a whole units in Sicily, but their companies were split up to form mobile groups, Gruppi Mobili (GM), to serve as counterattack forces for anti-invasion defenses. They were usually located near air fields to provide security against enemy airborne attack. Besides a company of about 12-16 tanks, they had a company of towed anti-tank guns, as well as companies of infantry, motorcycle troops, and artillery depending on what was available. XII Corpo d’armata (Army Corps) were assigned Gruppi Mobili A thru C and XVI Corpo d’armata were assigned Gruppi Mobili E thru H.
On July 10th at around 0530 hours, a tank platoon from Gruppi Mobili E was assigned to support 429° Battaglione costiero which was fighting paratroopers of 1/505th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division around Priolo but the attack was broken up by US naval shell fire. Later in the morning, the mobile group attacked Geta down Highway 117 (today SS117bis) but many of the supporting infantry were scattered away from the tanks by naval shell fire. A number of the tanks fought their way into the town where they encountered Darby’s Force X. The engineers had bazookas and began to hunt the enemy tanks through the narrow streets. The Rangers had a few anti-tank weapons but they made up improvised satchel charges using explosives and hurled them down onto the tanks from second story windows. A US 37mm anti-tank gun was brought up from the beach and it went into action knocked out at least one tank. After suffering heavy losses, Gruppi Mobili E retreated from Gela.
A boy examines a knocked out R-35 tank of Gruppi Mobili E in Gela.
Video: Italian Armoured Death Ride – Sicily 1943/a>
This supposedly are the markings of the knocked out R-35 in Gela.
This is another knocked out or abandoned R-35. Note that the left track is missing.
This R-35 belonged to Gruppi Mobili F which attacked the 1st Canadian Infantry Division and the British 51st Highland Infantry Division in the Paclino area on July 10-11.
Italian Tank Markings
The tactical signs were painted on the hull or turret sides and on the rear hull of tanks. The basic shape is a rectangle where the color indicates the company, red for 1st Company, light blue for 2nd Company, and yellow for 3rd Company. The company commanders had a plain colored rectangle. The white bars designated the three platoons in the company. The number is for the individual tank within the platoon and they are seen above, below, or on either side of the rectangle.
At the beginning of 1943, about 38 FIAT 3000 were reactivated and handed over to two new tank companies the so called 1st and 2nd “Compagnia Carri Armati Fiat 3000” (Fiat 3000 Tank Company) for the defense of Sicily. After much cannibalization and improvisation, the two small units were kept ready. Very few of them were encountered by the Allies during the invasion, one company of them were dug in as pillboxes, while some tanks were attached to Gruppi Mobili E. Both of these units could not fight allied tanks on equal terms.
A captured Fiat 3000 waiting for the shipment to the USA. US units captured a few of these tanks and kept them as war trophies.
In Sicily, there were also a number of cavalry squadrons equipped with AB 41 (AutoBlindo Modello 1941) Armored cars. This column of AB 41s were probably strafed by Allied aircraft and abandoned on the side of a road.
Semovente da 90/53
The Semovente da 90/53 was created by mounting a 90mm Cannone da 90/53 anti-aircraft gun on top of an enlarged chassis of a M14/41 medium tank. Only 30 of these vehicles were produced, all in 1942. It was primarily developed in response to demands by Italian forces on the Eastern Front for a vehicle-mounted anti-tank weapon that could deal with Soviet T-34 and KV tanks. Italian armored forces on the Eastern Front were equipped only with the L6/40 tanks and Semovente 47/32 self-propelled guns, neither of these had the firepower to cope with the Soviet medium and heavy tanks.
The main problem with the Semovente da 90/53 was the open top and rear of the gun compartment which left the gun crew exposed to shrapnel and small arms fire. It also had a small ammunition capacity of eight rounds which required special ammunition carriers built based on Fiat L6/40 tanks, one accompanying each Semovente da 90/53 in the field. The L6 ammunition carrier carried 26 rounds, plus an additional 40 rounds in a towed trailer. Beside the standard Armour Penetrating rounds, it could fire Effetto Pronto, or HEAT rounds, which shaped charge could pierce 200mm armour plating at any range.
None were ever sent to the Eastern Front. In the North African Campaign, the Semovente da 90/53 proved to be an effective weapon and its long range was well suited to the flat and open desert terrain. In Sicily, 24 Semovente 90/53s belonged to the 10° Raggruppamento Semovente which organized them into three independent groups (161° Gruppo, 162° Gruppo, and 163° Gruppo). The Semovente 90/53 was the largest Italian anti-tank gun in Sicily. They were used against the US forces in the defensive battle in the Canicattì area (north of Licata) on July 11-12.
A GI examines a knocked out Semovente 90/53.
This was one of five Semovente 90/53s of 163° Gruppo lost during the fighting near Canicattì.
US troops captured this Semovente 90/53 (RE 5825) of 163° Gruppo on July 22nd and it was later shipped back to the USA to the Aberdeen Proving Ground for evaluation and display.
Panzer-Division Hermann Göring
Kampfgruppe Hermann Göring commanded by General Joseph “Beppo” Schmid (24 September 1901 to 30 August 1956) had fought in Tunisia. On Göring’s express orders, before the surrender, Schmid and a few of his men escaped to mainland Italy. These survivors joined the newly reformed division entitled Panzer-Division Hermann Göring. The new division was built around scattered elements still working up in France, the Netherlands and Germany, which were gathered in the Naples area. Efforts to mould these troops into a cohesive fighting force went ahead at full speed. Over the next few weeks, HG troops crossed over to Sicily and the new panzer division was combat ready in June 1943, taking positions around Caltagirone.
US Paratroopers examine an abandoned Ford V3000S truck from Panzergrenadier-Regiment HG on July 11th. The regiment had only one battalion equipped with armored half-tracks, servicing with Kampfgruppe Schmlaz in the Catania sector (British) so the other battalions were transported in trucks. Note the Jerry can rack forward the cab door. As in North Africa, the white cross on the can indicates it is filled with water.
A knocked out Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf G numbered 843.
Tigers
Only seventeen Tiger Is of s.Pz.Abt. 504 had fought in Sicily against the Allied invasion forces.
When the first elements of s.Pz.Abt. 504 were sent to North Africa, the 2nd Kompanie remained in Sicily with 9 Tiger Is. After the surrender of Axis forces in North Africa, the 9 Tigers were never shipped out, but instead stayed in Sicily. Eight additional Tiger Is were shipped to the unit during the summer. By the time of the Sicily invasion, s.Pz.Abt. 504 was attached to the Panzer-Division “Hermann Göring” with 17 Tigers. On July 11-12, during an attack on the US beachhead near Gela, s.Pz.Abt. 504 lost approximately 10 Tigers. More Tigers were lost in action or abandoned during July and August as German forces retreated towards Messina.
This Tiger was captured intact by the US 505th Parachute Infantry on the Biscari (Agate) Road near Biazza ridge on July 11th. Two of the crew were killed while outside the Tiger by a grenade thrown by Lieutenant Harold H. Swingler (11 January 1917 to 6 June 1944). Swingler was leading a force that included riggers, company clerks, cooks, and orderlies, as well as infantry and engineers.
Allied Troops and civilians examine a knocked out 504 Tiger near Caltagirone on July 19th. Caltagirone is 70 km (43.5 miles) southwest of Catania in the Canadian 1st Infantry Division sector. Note the ash of the burnt road wheels.
A destroyed Tiger I number 223 of s.Pz.Abt. 504 blocking Traversa Quarto, a road in Belpasso about 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Catania on August 6th. The Tiger appears not been destroyed by Allied gun fire. The disabled Tiger was stripped, note the missing muzzle brake, and an explosive charge was probably detonated within the hull which blown the turret up into the air and landed in its current position. Note the wreckage of the turret basket.
A knocked out Tiger I of s.Pz.Abt. 504 with Monte Etna in the background.
Operation Lehrgang
Lehrgang was the code name given by German forces for the evacuation of Axis forces from Sicily which was undertaken between 11 and 17 August. The code name, roughly translates to “course” or “tutorial”. After the beginning of the Allied invasion, it was quickly determined by the OKW (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, Armed Forces High Command) that a repetition of the mass surrender of Axis forces at the end of the Tunisian campaign in May 1943 had to be avoided and that an organized withdrawal from Sicily was preferable to fighting to the last man. The evacuation plan was approved on August 2nd and its execution authorization was issued to the German commander of Axis forces in Sicily on August 8th.
The 15th Panzergrenadier Division completed its evacuation on the night of August 11/12 and then 29th Panzergrenadier Division had evacuated on August 15/16. The operation was completed when the Panzer Division “Hermann Göring” completed its evacuation on August 16/17. The evacuation included 39569 Wehrmacht troops with their equipment, 9065 vehicles, 27 tanks, 94 heavy guns, 1100 tons of ammunition, 970 tons of fuel. Between 3 and 17 August, a total of 62000 Italian soldiers also reached the Italian mainland from Sicily. In spite of Allied air attacks, losses were very low due to sufficient Axis anti-aircraft coverage.
The Siebel ferry (Siebelfähre) was a shallow draft catamaran landing craft operated by the Wehrmacht. These were used to transport troops and vehicles across the Strait of Messina in August 1943.
Tiger number 222 of the S.PzAbt 504 on a Siebel ferry crossing the Strait of Messina. This was the only Tiger tank which returned to Italy.
Today
There numerous small traces of the 1943 Allied invasion in Sicily today. The “Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943” in Cataina is the only museum dedicated to the campaign. The regional government opened the museum in 2000 which contains many displays and exhibitions with films and information displays. Several battlefield sites have small plaques or memorials but they are easy to find. Hundreds of dome shaped Italian bunkers still exist in Sicily especially along the coast. Many are overgrown since the war or had been demolished by new construction.
U.S. 82nd Airborne Division Monument
US Paratroopers, supported by artillery units, took and held a ridge, Biazza Ridge, just inland from the invasion beaches. From the inland to the coastal area a road ran through the ridge at one point – at Ponte Dirillo (between Gela and Scoglitti). By controlling this road-ridge-junction, the paratroopers help prevent enemy reinforcements reaching the landing beaches.
This monument was dedicated to the men of the 82nd Airborne who fought at Ponte Dirillo (Dirillo Bridge) on 10 July 1943. Listed on the monument are the 39 names of US paratroopers who were KIA during the battle.
On the hill north of the monument are a few Italian bunkers. A group of local civilians privately maintain the monument and the nearby bunkers.
This is a close up of one of the bunkers on the hill.
Address: 93012 Gela CL on route SS115, E45.
Plus Code: 2CJ3+PQ Gela, Free municipal consortium of Caltanissetta, Italy
Re-enactments
Video: Rievocazione Ponte Dirillo
Video: La Battaglia sul Ponte Dirillo
A British Sherman tank passing through the town of Cassibile (southwest of Syracuse) on 12 July 1943.
Today, the gate and tower are next to the church “Chiesa del Marchese Loffredo di Cassibile”, a historical landmark. Located southeast of Cassibile on Via Nazionale (SS115) southeast of the intersection with Via Del Campi (today a dead end road). The gate is facing to the southeast towards Syracuse.
This is a view of the gate today with restoration being done.
This is the view of the gate from the other direction. The Sherman tank drove down this road and through the gate 80 years ago. Today, Via Dei Campi veers off to the left to the intersection with SS115.
Side note
The armistice between the Kingdom of Italy and the US and UK was signed in Cassibile, Sicily on 3 September 1943. It was made public five days later.
Semovente da 90/53 today
Only one Semovente da 90/53 survived the war. It was originally at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds (APG) Museum on display outside, exposed to weather for almost 70 years. The original markings were over painted many years ago. Over the years, it was repainted a number of times.
In 2012, it was rescued and transferred to the Fort Sill Field Artillery Museum in Oklahoma. It has since been restored by the Fort Sill Directorate of Logistics (DoL) paint shop which took 9 years to paint and it is awaiting display. They had to re-fabricate the fenders because they had rusted out. Also the tracks no longer rolled, so they had to move it around with a large forklift. This is the sole surviving example in the whole world.
Model Kits and Decals
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Cyber Hobby 6527 Sherman III DV Initial Production – 2009
Dragon 6618 M4A1 DV (w/Magic Tracks) – 2018
Tasca 35-L31 US Medium Tank M4A1 Sherman Mid Production – 2009
HobbyBoss 83806 French R35 Light Infantry Tank – 2014
Brach Model BM-138 Italian Semovente da 90/53 su scafo m41 Semovente M41M da 90/53
(Italian Resin/turned metal kit)
CRIEL.MODEL R033 Semovente Controcarri Ansaldo S.p.A da 90/53 StuG M41 90/53 801(i)
(Resin kit)
Peddinghaus-Decals EP 2065 Tank Markings Hermann Goering Division Sicily 1943 – 2010
Star Decals 35-867 Sicily 43 – German Tanks in Italy #4
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Friendship Models WV48010 Valentine Bishop 25 SPG including No27 Limber
(Resin kit)
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RPM 72213 Renault R35 mod. 1938 Sicily 1943 – 200?
Italeri 7511 M4A2 Sherman III 2 fast assembly kits per box – 2015
Peddinghaus-Decals 72 3003 Allierte Panzer in Tunesien und Italien 1943-1944
Mike's Research 