Sicily, Italy - 1943

The invasion of Sicily, launched on the night of July 9, 1943, marked one of the largest combined operations of World War II.

For thirty-eight days, half a million Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen struggled against German and Italian forces for control of this rocky island.

After Sicily was taken, it served as both a base for the invasion of Italy and as training ground for many of the officers and enlisted men who stormed the beaches of Normandy eleven months later.