invasion of italy: July, 1943
Germany’s decision to invade Russia created a two front war. This put them under a lot of pressure, since they were sending troops to two different directions. British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, wanted to invade Italy, since it would open a third front in the war. He logic was that this action would weaken Germany even more. Also, it would open the Mediterranean Sea for supplying the Allies with necessities for the war in the Middle East and Far East. Churchill thought it would be easy to conquer this country since the popular support for war in Italy was declining. Unfortunately, Churchill finds out that Italy wasn't as easy to conquer as he thought it would be. It costs thousands of lives and lasted almost 2 years.
First the Allies decided to invade Sicily. They made their advance on July 10, 1943. Canadians troops were part of the invasion. It did not take long for Italy to surrender, but the German troops kept fighting. The
Allies captured Sicily after five weeks of battling.
On September 3, the Allies advanced to Italy. This was not as easy as capturing Sicily. Italy had surrendered on September 8, but Hitler would not have it. He quickly sent his troops to defend Italy. They invasion was very slow going, as battles were fought street by street. Soldiers fought in horrible weather conditions. It was rainy, muddy, and there was rugged terrain.
The Battle of Ortona started on December 20, 1943. It was a fight between Germany and Canada. Ortona was a very important area for Italy, as it was used for docking ships. The Allies needed to capture this area to weaken the German forces. The battle lasted for 8 days before the Germans finally withdrew. Canada suffered 1375 casualties, which was almost a quarter of all the Canadian deaths during the Italian Campaign.
In May 1944, it was clear the Germans at the front line were outnumbered by Allied forces made of 18 different nations, including Canada. The Germans retreated and regrouped later on.
On June 4, 1944, the US captured Rome. The Allies troops advanced forward to the German's Gothic Line. This defensive line was defeated on August 25, 1944.
On April 29, 1945, the Axis Commander-in-Chief on the Western Front surrendered. The fighting in Italy against the Allies and Germany ended on May 2, 1945.
First the Allies decided to invade Sicily. They made their advance on July 10, 1943. Canadians troops were part of the invasion. It did not take long for Italy to surrender, but the German troops kept fighting. The
Allies captured Sicily after five weeks of battling.
On September 3, the Allies advanced to Italy. This was not as easy as capturing Sicily. Italy had surrendered on September 8, but Hitler would not have it. He quickly sent his troops to defend Italy. They invasion was very slow going, as battles were fought street by street. Soldiers fought in horrible weather conditions. It was rainy, muddy, and there was rugged terrain.
The Battle of Ortona started on December 20, 1943. It was a fight between Germany and Canada. Ortona was a very important area for Italy, as it was used for docking ships. The Allies needed to capture this area to weaken the German forces. The battle lasted for 8 days before the Germans finally withdrew. Canada suffered 1375 casualties, which was almost a quarter of all the Canadian deaths during the Italian Campaign.
In May 1944, it was clear the Germans at the front line were outnumbered by Allied forces made of 18 different nations, including Canada. The Germans retreated and regrouped later on.
On June 4, 1944, the US captured Rome. The Allies troops advanced forward to the German's Gothic Line. This defensive line was defeated on August 25, 1944.
On April 29, 1945, the Axis Commander-in-Chief on the Western Front surrendered. The fighting in Italy against the Allies and Germany ended on May 2, 1945.