Canada and World War II

Italian Campaign

• Victory in the North African Campaign allowed Allies Victory in the North African Campaign allowed Allies to re-enter occupied Europe. to re-enter occupied Europe.

• The first logical step was to enter Italy. The first logical step was to enter Italy. – Italy was becoming less enthusiastic about participating in Italy was becoming less enthusiastic about participating in

the war. By invading Italy it would hopefully knock them the war. By invading Italy it would hopefully knock them out of the war, providing at least a major propaganda out of the war, providing at least a major propaganda blow. blow.

– The elimination of Italy as an enemy would also enable The elimination of Italy as an enemy would also enable the Royal Navy to completely dominate the Mediterranean the Royal Navy to completely dominate the Mediterranean Sea, massively improving communications with Egypt, the Sea, massively improving communications with Egypt, the Far East, the Middle East and India. Far East, the Middle East and India.

– It would also mean that the Germans would have to It would also mean that the Germans would have to transfer troops from the Russian Front to defend Italy and transfer troops from the Russian Front to defend Italy and the entire southern coast of France, thus aiding the the entire southern coast of France, thus aiding the Russians.Russians.

The San Tommaso Cathedral The San Tommaso Cathedral in Ortona was literally gutted in Ortona was literally gutted

during the December 1943 during the December 1943 fighting. fighting.

• Its initial goals were the capture of Its initial goals were the capture of Naples and of the Foggia and Rome Naples and of the Foggia and Rome airfields. airfields.

• The Allied landing started on the The Allied landing started on the morning of September 3rd, 1943; on morning of September 3rd, 1943; on September 8th, the Italian government September 8th, the Italian government announced its surrender. announced its surrender.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/launch_ani_italy_campaign.shtml

From higher ground, a From higher ground, a 14th Armoured 14th Armoured Regiment (Calgary) Regiment (Calgary) Sherman tank covers Sherman tank covers the progression of the the progression of the West Nova Scotia West Nova Scotia Regiment towards Regiment towards Potenza, September Potenza, September 20th, 1943.20th, 1943.

• Sicily Campaign, July 9 – August 1943Sicily Campaign, July 9 – August 1943• The Winter Line, Anzio and Monte The Winter Line, Anzio and Monte

CassinoCassino– Spring Offensive & Capture of Rome, Spring Offensive & Capture of Rome,

May – June 1944May – June 1944• Gothic Line in North Apennine Gothic Line in North Apennine

Mountains ~ Spring 1945Mountains ~ Spring 1945• Rapid advance into Po Valley Feb. – Rapid advance into Po Valley Feb. –

April 1945April 1945

~ Italian Campaign ~ September 3, 1943 - May 2, 1945)

Tanks of the Tanks of the Régiment de Trois-Régiment de Trois-

Rivières driving along Rivières driving along the corso Vittorio the corso Vittorio

Emanuele towards the Emanuele towards the Piazza Municipale, Piazza Municipale,

December 23rd, 1943. December 23rd, 1943.

Canadian Participation• The 1st Canadian Division landed near Reggio di Calabria on The 1st Canadian Division landed near Reggio di Calabria on

September 3rd, 1943, and met no opposition whatsoever. September 3rd, 1943, and met no opposition whatsoever. – They then started moving along the coast towards the Gulf of Tarento; They then started moving along the coast towards the Gulf of Tarento;

then turned up north meet up with the Fifth Army. then turned up north meet up with the Fifth Army.

• In October, Canadian troops harassed the enemy throughout In October, Canadian troops harassed the enemy throughout the area north of Potenza to the Fortore and Biferno rivers, near the area north of Potenza to the Fortore and Biferno rivers, near the Adriatic Sea. the Adriatic Sea.

• Campobasso fell on October 14th. Enemy casualties were Campobasso fell on October 14th. Enemy casualties were heavy and the Germans learned to respect the soldiers of the heavy and the Germans learned to respect the soldiers of the 1st Canadian Division. 1st Canadian Division.

• The progression of the Canadian army had been rather trouble-The progression of the Canadian army had been rather trouble-free to begin with; since September the German strategy was free to begin with; since September the German strategy was simply to delay their progression as much as possible. simply to delay their progression as much as possible. – Their commanders had orders to retreat until they could take solid Their commanders had orders to retreat until they could take solid

positions between the Bernhard Line that cut across the Italian Peninsula positions between the Bernhard Line that cut across the Italian Peninsula from Gaeta in the west to Ortona in the east. from Gaeta in the west to Ortona in the east.

– That line protected Rome and the Germans had clear orders: They shall That line protected Rome and the Germans had clear orders: They shall not pass!not pass!

Soldier firing 6-Soldier firing 6-pounder anti-tank pounder anti-tank

gun at the end of a gun at the end of a street in Ortona, street in Ortona,

Italy, 21 December Italy, 21 December 1943. 1943.

• http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-71-1471/conflict_war/italian_campaign/