Seventieth Anniversary of Allies’ Landing in Sicily
July 10, 2013 is the 70th Anniversary of the Allies’ Landing in Sicily during WWII.
Today, July 10, 2013, is the 70th anniversary of the Allies’ landing in Sicily, a military operation called Operation Husky 1943. The American and British forces landed between the towns of Gela and Licata on the southern coast of Sicily, whereas the Canadians landed in Pachino to the East.
Over the last few weeks, there have been several articles in the papers regarding the 70th anniversary of Operation Husky 1943. During that military operation, over six weeks of fighting, the allied forces drove the Axis forces off the island of Sicily.
Today, an American photographer, Phil Stern, a Stars and Stripes photographer during WWII, will be present at the official opening of a photographic exhibit where his wartime pictures will be on display for the public to view in the town of Acireale, on the eastern cost of Sicily.
Another event, which has caught my attention, is one being carried out by the Canadians and headed by Steve Gregory, the son of a Canadian veteran. Mr. Gregory’s father fought during Operation Husky 1943 with the Canadian forces that landed in Pachino. Now, Steve Gregory has put together Operation Husky 2013, a civilian operation, which will trace the steps of those who fought and of the many who gave their lives seventy years ago.
Through this operation, a group of Canadians will start a twenty day walk from the town of Pachino and crossing various sites of the 1943 battlefields will arrive on July 30th in Agira. Agira is the town where the fallen Canadians from Operation Husky 1943 are buried. Along the way, markers will be placed to honor the fallen Canadians of 1943. A closing ceremony will take place in Agira and there will be a concert by Canadian pipers.
Following are a few pictures I have taken over the last two years of some areas of Sicily which are close to the towns mentioned on the Canadians’ itinerary.
On the road towards Piazza Armerina
Around ENNA
Cow pastures on the road to Modica
Around Ispica
Not far from Agira
In conclusion, some pictures I have taken over the last two years in Licata and Gela, in the area where the American and British troops landed those 70 years ago.
Gela waterfront
On the road between Gela and Licata
Licata Harbour
Children playing close to the coast of Licata
Sicily & MORE Explored by Rosanna 
It must have been a remarkable thing to view…the Canadians landing. In addition to the Americans and British. A completely fascinating point of history that gives us an idea of the depth and scope of WWII: landing in 1943 and the war still continued for quite some time more. What was the general reaction of the population of these communities as these forces landed and traveled over Sicily?
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Over the years, hearing wartime stories, it seemed that the general reaction of the population of these communities was one of relief. As the allies proceeded through the island, certainly there was still great hardship endured by the local population, but these actions led to the resolution of the conflict and the fighting ended in Sicily after approximately two months after the allies’ landing.
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