July 10th marks the 79th anniversary of the allied landings on the island of Sicily, launching Operation Husky. Initially including both 1st Canadian Infantry Division and the 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade, the Operation was Canada’s first sustained land operation after nearly four years of war. After initial fighting in Sicily, the Canadians landed on the Italian mainland by fall of 1943 and would participate in brutal fighting near the Moro River and at Ortona.

In early 1944, the 5th Canadian Armoured Division joined 1st Canadian Infantry Division and the (recently renamed) 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade in Italy, forming I Canadian Corps. The Corps played a major role in attacking and taking the Hitler Line in May of 1944, and further played a vital role in the penetration of the Gothic Line in the fall of the same year. In these conflicts, Rome, Florence, and Ravenna were all taken by the allies.

More than 92,000 Canadians served in Italy at a cost of 26,000 casualties, including more than 5,400 dead. While the Italian Campaign is often overshadowed by the Normandy Campaign and events in Europe, Canadian forces were integral to the battles fought by the allies in Italy and the island of Sicily.

On our “Roads to Victory” webpage, you can find detailed descriptions of Canada’s role in the invasion of Sicily in 1943 as well as in the broader Italian campaign. Included in each of these are comprehensive unit lists and photographs. Find them here: https://bit.ly/3bQLWYd

For more information: https://museumvimytojuno.ca/en/articles/invasion-of-sicily-italian-campaign