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The
invasion of Sicily began at 2:45 a.m. on July 10, as American and
British forces landed on the southeastern shore of the island. The
Allies considered the capture of Sicily a prerequisite for an
assault on Italy. The German and Italian forces on the island
(350,000 men in all) were taken by surprise and actually put up
little resistance. Palermo fell to General Patton on July 22. The
last stage in the offensive was found unnecessary, because the
invasion force met no further resistance. The takeover of Sicily was
completed on August 17, when American and British forces entered
Messina at 10:00 a.m. |
