[July 10, 2019] Recently we rightly celebrated D-Day, the Allied invasion of France that began 75 years ago in June 1944. But it was a year earlier, with the invasion of Sicily that the real battle for Europe began. On this date, July 10, 1943, the first elements of American and British troops landed on the southern coast of Sicily to begin the drive “up the boot of Italy to destroy the Nazi war machine.”
Many of the World War II veterans that I’ve known and are part of our local Veterans Club were part of Lieutenant General Patton’s Seventh U.S. Army. They landed in Sicily just 76 years ago today. With British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery on his flank, the race to capture the entire island began.
There have been several in-depth studies of these two ‘brawny’ personalities; the most famous names of the war. Patton and Montgomery vied for the best military positions from which to free Europe. Both these generals were successful and at the apex of their careers. Each had contrasting leadership styles that suited their armies, and they were keenly conscious that they would be successful in destroying Germany. The only question was when.
In Rome, the Allied invasion of Sicily, led to the collapse of Mussolini’s government. Early on July 25th, he was forced to resign by the Fascist Grand Council and was arrested later that day. In a daring raid, German commandos rescued Mussolini from prison, but his fate didn’t end there. He was captured by Italian partisans the following April of 1944 and summarily executed.1
A good friend of mine’s father was part of this invasion force under Patton. This article is dedicated to his memory and all World War II veterans. They helped win back the continent of Europe and restored the freedoms all humans so richly deserve.
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Another historical article that helps me understand why so many people are patriotic and willing to go the extra mile to ensure freedom stands. I see many kids in college who would trade their freedom for free college. It’s like trading your soul to the devil.
So true what you have written. The college snowflakes have benefited from freedom but don’t know what it is. Thus, they are willing to trade it away for a small price. When they are in prison for a thought crime (in a possible future) only then will they step back and realized the errors of their ways.
Yes, that is why we must study history (not some PC version that is taught in college today) but a real down-to-earth history that tells things like they were (the positive and the negative). Only then can we really learn from it.
I’m proud to see so many of my friends here that had relatives in this battle. They all have my respect.
I agree. What our relatives have done reflects upon us (both good or bad) but we as individuals are not to be judged as good or bad based upon that.
“The Race To Messina: George S. Pattons’ Fall From Grace”
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/the-race-to-messina-george-s-pattons-fall-from-grace/
Good article worth reading.
….. and Patton won the race to Messina.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/patton-wins-race-to-messina
I’m a fan of these “battle” updates. I helps give me perspective whenever I think that my day is not going so well.
I agree with you. My bad day means my train was late and I got to work late. For soldiers in battle, a bad day has a whole other meaning. Thank you Roger for helping me keep things in perspective.
If only the snowflakes in college would pay attention to this kind of history, I think they would wake up. Oh, I think they believe they are already “woke.”
Good point, Al.
More on the battle for Europe. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/10/podcasts/the-daily/europe-nationalism.html
Here is a really good timeline for the war in Europe. It clearly shows where the Allied invasion of Sicily began relative to other major events during the war. Note that the war started in 1939 but that were earlier events leading up to the war. We should all be familiar with what those were, the ideologies that drove them, and what it took to defeat Hitler, Mussolini, and Imperial Japan.
My grandfather was in the battle for Messina in Sicily. He was considered the hero of the family and was a great person to be around for many reasons. He always said that it was the war that made him a good person.
I had an uncle in the same battle. I wonder if they knew each other. Good article. Thanks Willie for your grandfather’s service.
I never really gave this much thought. Thank you.
Neither did I. That’s one of the main reasons I keep coming back to Gen. Satterfield’s blog.
Same here.
🙂 🙂 🙂