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  • War Story Sicily - The First Campaign (Season 1, Episode 5)
  • TV Episode | Documentary, History, War

War Story

Sicily - The First Campaign (Season 1, Episode 5)
TV Episode | Documentary, History, War
The Sicily Campaign began with the largest seaborne invasion in history on 9-10 July 1943. The Allied forces of Britain, Canada, and the United States, in the first direct invasion of Axis territory, sought to knock Italy out of the war ...See moreThe Sicily Campaign began with the largest seaborne invasion in history on 9-10 July 1943. The Allied forces of Britain, Canada, and the United States, in the first direct invasion of Axis territory, sought to knock Italy out of the war and attack Germany from the south. Prior to Sicily, the Second World War Canadian Army had only seen combat at Hong Kong and Dieppe, both unmitigated disasters. The Canadian units that took part in the campaign - the 1st Canadian Infantry Division and the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, a combined 25,000 men containing formations from all across the country - had been in Britain since December 1939, and they were eager to test themselves in combat. After nearly four years of waiting, how would they respond to the real thing? In this film, the men who were there tell us in their own words. The Allies did not enjoy complete air and naval superiority, endangering the landings. The Canadians came ashore at Pachino, on the southeastern most tip of the island. The Italian defenders generally offered token resistance, if any, but the German formations, notably the 15th Panzer Grenadier Division and the Hermann Goering Panzer Division, fought ferociously to delay the Allies and inflict as many casualties as possible. The sweltering Sicilian summer, coupled with the island's mountainous terrain and poor infrastructure - the temperature routinely exceeded 40 degrees and movement was almost entirely on foot or by mule - heavily influenced the fighting: No other Canadian soldiers fought in conditions of this kind during the Second World War. Acting as the left flank of the British 8th Army, the Canadians distinguished themselves at Modica, Leonforte, and Agira. The most celebrated action of the campaign occurred on 20-21 July, when The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment boldly scaled Monte Assoro under cover of darkness, surprised the German defenders, seized the summit, and held it against 11 concerted German counterattacks. It took the Allies 38 days to overcome the fierce German opposition and secure the island. In the meantime, Benito Mussolini was deposed and the new Italian government proposed peace talks with the Allies. The Canadians had marched over 200 kilometres and played a pivotal role in the victory, but at the cost of 2,310 casualties, including 562 dead. However, the Germans re-grouped and prepared to make their next stand across the Strait of Messina. The battles for Ortona and Rome would follow. See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Barry Stevens
Composer
David Wall
Cinematographers
Michael Grippo | Andrew Sims
Editor
Nick Hector
See all filmmakers & crew (30)
Status
Edit Released
Updated Nov 10, 2012
Release date
Nov 10, 2012 (Canada)
Awards
Series awards
2 wins & 2 nominations

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