Operation Husky is a great reminder that Sicily was not a side quest. It was the Allies learning amphibious warfare under live fire.
For Flames of War players, that makes the campaign packed with scenario hooks. Better yet, the American formations bring airborne chaos, Rangers, armor, and infantry. This is a summary of the Battle front Community post found here.
American Forces Drive Through Sicily
The invasion opened on 10 July 1943, as Patton’s Seventh Army and Montgomery’s Eighth Army hit Sicily by sea and air. Allied intelligence expected about 230,000 defenders, mostly weak Italian formations backed by two rebuilt German divisions. Against that, 180,000 American and British troops came ashore near Gela and north of Syracuse. The original plan had Eighth Army driving toward Messina, with Seventh Army supporting its flank.
However, German resistance slowed the British advance. Patton’s Americans then swung west, seized Palermo, and raced east toward Messina. The Allies captured the island, but over 100,000 Axis troops escaped before Messina fell on 17 August. Still, Husky gave the Allies hard lessons in coalition warfare, airborne drops, and amphibious operations. It also helped trigger Mussolini’s fall and Italy’s September armistice. The 82nd Airborne made its first combat jumps around Gela and Scoglitti. Gavin’s 505th Parachute RCT then fought desperate actions at Biazza Ridge.
Then disaster struck when Allied naval fire hit aircraft carrying the 504th, causing 229 casualties, including 81 dead. Even so, elements of the division later pushed toward Palermo using captured vehicles. The Rangers brought knife-edge energy, with the 1st and 4th Battalions storming Gela. They fought tanks with thermite grenades and one 37mm gun. They also took Butera and Porto Empedocle, capturing over 700 prisoners before guarding the Allied flank. Meanwhile, the 3rd Infantry Division landed at Licata and gave the campaign Chips, the division dog. Chips restored communications under fire, attacked an Italian machine-gun crew, survived wounds, and became pure wargaming legend.
The division then marched 90 miles in three days, reached Palermo, and captured Messina. The 9th Infantry Division landed at Palermo, moved toward Troina, then returned to reserve. Finally, the 45th Infantry Division landed near Scoglitti, fought beside the 505th, and pushed toward Biscari and Comiso. After four hard days at Motta Hill, it later prepared for mainland Italy.
Summary and Final Thoughts
Overall, this is exactly the kind of campaign background Flames of War handles well. The article gives players airborne mistakes, Ranger heroics, infantry pushes, and coalition planning for varied tables and campaign nights. Also, the free Mid War PDF adds formation diagrams, units, and points for fielding American forces in Sicily.
