World War 2: A Captivating Guide from Beginning to End (The Second World War and D Day Book 1) by Captivating History

Author:Captivating History [History, Captivating]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2017-08-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12 – The Invasion of Italy

Though Germany and Japan were both under pressure from the middle of 1943, neither was the first part of the Axis to give way. That honor would go to the oldest of Europe’s far right regimes and the weak link in the chain of Hitler’s ambitions—Fascist Italy.

With Africa taken, Churchill proposed that the Anglo-American forces there move on to attack the “soft underbelly” of Axis Europe. The Italians had shown in both Africa and the Balkans that they were not as formidable militarily as their German comrades. A landing in Italy was likely to be easier than almost anywhere else in Europe, despite the presence of German forces sent to reinforce the Italians. Supply routes could be maintained thanks to Allied control of Malta and North Africa. And from Italy, the Allies could march north into the heart of Hitler’s empire.

The American focus was still on a direct assault into northern Europe. But the British persuaded them to accept a compromise strategy. A smaller invasion of Italy in 1943 would keep the Mediterranean war going, while the bulk of Allied forces prepared to invade France the following year.

The first step in the invasion of Italy was to take the island of Sicily. This began on July 10, 1943, when paratroopers and seaborne forces landed on the island. It was a joint Anglo-American operation, with the Americans led by Patton and the British by Montgomery. The two men’s dislike of each other fueled a rivalry that helped to drive them on but did little for cooperation between the Allies.

The main advance toward Messina was meant to be made by the British. When they were held up by Italian and German troops, Patton took the opportunity to increase the Americans’ role. Through advances north and then east, he reached Messina before the British.

The Axis forces evacuated the island, leaving it in Allied hands in the middle of August. The fighting had lasted just over a month, during which time the Allies had gained further valuable experience of amphibious and airborne assaults.

Meanwhile, Mussolini’s political position was crumbling beneath his feet. Seeing that an Allied invasion of Italy was likely, he had begged Hitler to make peace with the USSR and send his troops west to face the threat. Hitler refused.

The invasion of Sicily further undermined Mussolini’s position. Hitler summoned him to a humiliating meeting on July 19. On the same day, an Allied bombing raid hit Rome for the first time, highlighting Italy’s newfound vulnerability.

Within the Italian leadership, Mussolini’s friends were turning against him. His Fascist colleagues called upon King Victor Emmanuel III to retake the constitutional powers that had been taken by Mussolini. On July 25, the king replaced Mussolini with Marshal Badoglio and had the former dictator arrested.

When this news got out, many Italians celebrated, believing that the war was over. But it wouldn’t be that easy. Badoglio maintained the pretense of loyalty to Germany, even as he negotiated a peace with the Allies. Despite

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