Invasion of Sicily

Capitulation of the German and Italian divisions in Tunisia in May 1943 meant ending hostilities only on one theatre of the Second World War. The victory in North Africa only then would be valuable if followed by an invasion on the European continent and the ultimate defeat of the "Axis" forces. African ports had enlarged the basis for the would-be invasion forces. The Allies were already preparing the next powerful blow. The blow that would shake the so-called Festung Europa ("Fortress Europe"), the pride of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. More >>>