World War II: Operation Husky begins in Sicily

During World War II, Operation Husky was the codename for the Allied invasion of Sicily. It was a major campaign that took place from July 9 to August 17, 1943. The objective of Operation Husky was to secure the island of Sicily, which was under Axis control, and pave the way for the Allied invasion of mainland Italy.

The operation involved a combined force of British, American, and Canadian troops under the overall command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The invasion force included airborne units, naval assets, and ground forces. The Allies conducted extensive air and naval bombardments prior to the amphibious assault to weaken Axis defenses.

On July 9, 1943, the invasion began with British and Canadian forces landing on the southeastern coast of Sicily, while American forces landed on the southern coast. Despite initial resistance from the Axis forces, the Allies were able to establish a foothold and expand their beachheads.

Over the following weeks, the Allies advanced inland, engaging in intense fighting with German and Italian troops. The mountainous terrain of Sicily posed challenges for both sides. The Axis forces, facing overwhelming Allied numbers, eventually decided to evacuate the island to prevent the destruction of their armies.

By August 17, 1943, the Allies had successfully captured Sicily. Operation Husky marked an important turning point in the war, as it opened up the Mediterranean to Allied shipping and provided a base for further operations in Italy. The success of the invasion also had political repercussions, leading to the downfall of Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and the eventual surrender of Italy to the Allies.