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Operation Husky order of battle is a listing of the significant military and air force units that were involved in the campaign for Sicily, July 10 – August 17, 1943.

Allied forces

[edit]
Theatre and army group commanders
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Sir Harold Alexander

Allied Forces Headquarters (AFHQ), Mediterranean
General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Allied 15th Army Group

[edit]

General Sir Harold Alexander[1]

U.S. 9th Infantry Division
Major General Manton S. Eddy[1]
39th Infantry Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
60th Infantry Regiment
26th Field Artillery Battalion
34th Field Artillery Battalion
60th Field Artillery Battalion
84th Field Artillery Battalion
15th Engineer Combat Battalion
42nd Anti-Aircraft Battalion
9th Reconnaissance Troop
U.S. 82nd Airborne Division
Major General Matthew B. Ridgway[a]
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
325th Glider Infantry Regiment
376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
456th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion
320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion
307th Airborne Engineer Battalion
80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion
British 46th Infantry Division
Major General H. A. Freeman-Attwood[1]
128th Infantry Brigade
138th Infantry Brigade
139th Infantry Brigade
46th Royal Artillery Brigade
46th Royal Engineer Brigade

U.S. Seventh Army

[edit]
Waiting to load Tanks in La Pècherie French base in French Tunisia.
American and British troops landing near Gela, Sicily, July 10, 1943.

Lieutenant General George S. Patton

1st Ranger Battalion
3rd Ranger Battalion
4th Ranger Battalion
70th Tank Battalion
753rd Tank Battalion
601st Tank Destroyer Battalion
813th Tank Destroyer Battalion - two platoons
39th Engineer Regiment
540th Engineer Shore Regiment
5th Armored Artillery Group
58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
62nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion
65th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
17th Artillery Regiment
36th Artillery Regiment
77th Artillery Regiment
178th Artillery Regiment
Free French 4th Moroccan Tabor
U.S. II Corps
[edit]

Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley

U.S. 1st Infantry Division
Major General Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr. (thru 7 Aug)
Major General Clarence R. Huebner (from 7 Aug)
16th Infantry Regiment
18th Infantry Regiment
26th Infantry Regiment
5th Field Artillery Battalion
7th Field Artillery Battalion
32nd Field Artillery Battalion
33rd Field Artillery Battalion
1st Engineer Combat Battalion
1st Reconnaissance Troop
U.S. 45th Infantry Division
Major General Troy H. Middleton
157th Infantry Regiment
179th Infantry Regiment
180th Infantry Regiment
158th Field Artillery Battalion
160th Field Artillery Battalion
171st Field Artillery Battalion
189th Field Artillery Battalion
645th Tank Destroyer Battalion
120th Engineer Combat Battalion
45th Reconnaissance Troop
U.S. Provisional Corps
[edit]
Headquarters activated on 15 July 1943[2]

Major General Geoffrey Keyes

U.S. 2nd Armored Division
Major General Hugh Joseph Gaffey

Divisional units were placed under the combat commands as needed.

41st Armored Infantry Regiment
66th Armored Regiment
67th Armored Regiment
14th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
78th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
92nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion
17th Armored Engineer Battalion
82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
U.S. 3rd Infantry Division
Major General Lucian Truscott
7th Infantry Regiment
15th Infantry Regiment
30th Infantry Regiment
9th Field Artillery Battalion
10th Field Artillery Battalion
39th Field Artillery Battalion
41st Field Artillery Battalion
10th Engineer Combat Battalion

British Eighth Army

[edit]

General Sir Bernard Law Montgomery[b]

Army Troops

2nd Special Air Service
No. 3 (Army) Commando
No. 40 (Royal Marine) Commando
No. 41 (Royal Marine) Commando
Three companies of 2nd/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
2nd/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
1st Battalion, Welch Regiment
7th Battalion, Royal Marines
British XIII Corps
[edit]

Lieutenant-General Miles Dempsey

105th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
6th Army Group Royal Artillery
24th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
98th (Surrey & Sussex Yeomanry Queen Mary's) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
111th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
66th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery
75th (Shropshire Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery
80th (Scottish Horse Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery
XIII Corps Troops Royal Engineers[3]
56th Field Company, Royal Engineers
576th Corps Field Park Company, Royal Engineers
577th Army Field Company, Royal Engineers
578th Army Field Company, Royal Engineers
British 5th Infantry Division[4]
Major-General Horatio Berney-Ficklin (thru 3 Aug)
Major-General Gerard Bucknall (from 3 Aug)[5]
13th Infantry Brigade
2nd Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
15th Infantry Brigade
1st Battalion, Green Howards
1st Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment
17th Infantry Brigade
2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers
2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment
6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
91st (4th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
92nd (5th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
156th (Lanarkshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
52nd (6th London) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
18th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
5th Reconnaissance Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps
7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment (machine gun battalion)
5th Divisional Engineers
38th Field Company, Royal Engineers
245th Field Company, Royal Engineers
252nd Field Company, Royal Engineers
245th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers
50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division[6]
Major-General Sidney Kirkman
69th Infantry Brigade
5th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment
6th Battalion, Green Howards
7th Battalion, Green Howards
151st Infantry Brigade
6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
168th (2nd London) Brigade
1st Battalion, London Irish Rifles
1st Battalion, London Scottish
10th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment
74th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
90th (City of London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
124th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
25th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment (machine gun battalion)
50th Divisional Engineers
233rd (Northumbrian) Field Company, Royal Engineers
501st (London) Field Company, Royal Engineers
505th Field Company, Royal Engineers
235th (Northumbrian) Field Park Company, Royal Engineers
British 78th Infantry Division[7]
Major-General Vyvyan Evelegh
11th Infantry Brigade
2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers
1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment
5th (Huntingdonshire) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment
36th Infantry Brigade
5th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
6th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade
6th Battalion, Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers
1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles
56th Reconnaissance Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps
17th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
132nd (Welsh) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
138th (City of London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
64th (Queen's Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
49th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
1st Battalion, Kensington Regiment (Princess Louise's) (machine gun)
78th Divisional Engineers
214th Field Company, Royal Engineers
237th Field Company, Royal Engineers
256th Field Company, Royal Engineers
281st Field Park Company, Royal Engineers
1st Airborne Division
Commanded by Major-General George F. Hopkinson. This unit did not participate as a division.
1st Airlanding Brigade[8]
1st Battalion, Border Regiment
2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment
9th Field Company, Royal Engineers
1st Parachute Brigade[9]
1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment
2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment
3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment
16th (Parachute) Field Ambulance
1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery
1st (Airborne) Divisional Provost, Corps of Military Police
British 4th Armoured Brigade[10]
3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)
44th Royal Tank Regiment
A Squadron, 1st (Royal) Dragoons
British XXX Corps
[edit]

Lieutenant-General Sir Oliver Leese

73rd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
5th Army Group Royal Artillery
57th (Home Counties) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
58th (Sussex) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
78th (Lowland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
7th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery
64th (London) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery
70th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery
11th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (Honourable Artillery Company)
142nd (Royal Devon Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
1st Canadian Infantry Division[11]
Commanded by Major-General Guy Simonds.
1st Canadian Infantry Brigade
The Royal Canadian Regiment
1st Battalion, The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders of Canada
2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
1st Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
1st Battalion, The Loyal Edmonton Regiment
3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade
Royal 22e Régiment
1st Battalion, The Carleton and York Regiment
1st Battalion, The West Nova Scotia Regiment
1st Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
2nd Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
3rd Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
1st Infantry Division Support Battalion (The Saskatoon Light Infantry)
1st Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
4th Reconnaissance Regiment (4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards)
No. 1 Defence and Employment Platoon (Lorne Scots)
1st Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers
3rd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers
4th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers
2nd Field Park Company, Royal Canadian Engineers
1st Canadian Tank Brigade[11]
11th Army Tank Regiment (The Ontario Regiment (Tank))
12th Army Tank Regiment (Three Rivers Regiment (Tank))
14th Army Tank Regiment (The Calgary Regiment (Tank))
British 51st (Highland) Infantry Division[12]
Commanded by Major-General Douglas Wimberley.
152nd Infantry Brigade
5th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
153rd Infantry Brigade
5th Battalion, Black Watch
1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders
5/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders
154th Infantry Brigade
1st Battalion, Black Watch
7th Battalion, Black Watch
7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
126th (Highland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
127th (Highland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
128th (Highland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
61st (West Highland) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
40th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
1st/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (machine gun battalion)
7th Battalion, Royal Marines (under command 19 to 29 July)
274th Field Company, Royal Engineers
275th Field Company, Royal Engineers
276th Field Company, Royal Engineers
239th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers
23rd Armoured Brigade[13]
HQ 23rd Armoured Brigade HQ fought as Arrow Force in mid-July with 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (from 152nd Brigade) under command together with elements of 50th RTR and 11th (HAC) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery as well as an Anti-Tank battery and a machine gun company.[12]
50th Royal Tank Regiment
46th (Liverpool Welsh) Royal Tank Regiment
40th (The King's) Royal Tank Regiment
11th (Queen's Westminsters) Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps
British 231st Infantry Brigade[14]
2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment
1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
165th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
300th Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery
352nd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery
295th Field Company, Royal Engineers
346th Company Royal Army Service Corps [15]
200th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

Allied Mediterranean Naval Command

[edit]

The Naval forces were under the command of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham and was divided into several Task Forces.[1]

Covering Force

[edit]

The role of the covering force was to prevent the Italian Navy from attacking the invasion forces.

Eastern Naval Task Force

[edit]

Eastern Naval task Force transported the Eastern Task Force (British Eighth Army) and provided Naval gunfire support.[1]

Western Naval Task Force

[edit]

The Western Naval Task Force transported the Western Task Force (Seventh U.S. Army) and provided Naval gunfire support.[1][16]

8th U.S. Amphibious Force
Command by Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt.
80.2 Escort Group
DesRon 7
USS Plunkett (DD-431), Destroyers Flag
DesDiv 13
USS Niblack (DD-424)
USS Benson (DD-421)
USS Gleaves (DD-423)
DesRon 8
USS Wainwright (DD-419), Flag
DesDiv 16
USS Mayrant (DD-402)
USS Trippe (DD-403)
USS Rhind (DD-404)
USS Rowan (DD-405)
Shark Force
Dime Force, Task Force 81, commanded by Rear Admiral John L. Hall Jr., USN
The Dime Task Force landed the U. S. Army First Division (reinforced) and attached units near Gela, Sicily.
Cent Force, Task Force 85, commanded by Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk, USN
The Cent Task Force landed the U. S. Army Forty-fifth Division (reinforced) and attached units near Scoglitti, Sicily.
Joss Force, Task Force 86, commanded by Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly, USN[17]
The Joss Task Force landed the U. S. Third Division (reinforced) and attached units near Licata, Sicily.
Task Force Organization
86.1 Cover and Support Group, Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose, USN
Cruiser Division 13
Destroyer Squadron 13
Nine LCG(L) British - Landing Craft Gun (Large)
Eight LCF(L) British - Landing Craft, Flak (Large)
86.2 Landing Craft Group, Commander L. S. Sabin, USN
LST Groups Two
LST Groups Three
LST Group Six
LST Division Seven (less LSTs 4 and 38)
LCI Flotilla Two
LCI Flotilla Four
LCT Group Thirty one
Less LCTs 80, 207, 208, 214
Plus LCTs 276, 305 311, 332
LCT 12 British LCTs
HMS Princess Astrid - Landing Ship, Infantry (Small)
HMS Prince Leopold - Landing Ship, Infantry (Small)
86.3 Escort Group, Commander Block, USNR
USS Seer (AM-112)
USS Sentinel (AM-113)
7 PCs
26 SCs
6 YMS - auxiliary motor minesweepers
86.4 Joss Assault Force, Major General Truscott, USA
U. S. Army 3rd Division (reinforced) and attached units
86.5 Train
USS Moreno (AT-87)
USS Intent
USS Evea (YT-458)
USS Resolute
86.6 Force Flagship
USS Biscayne (AVP-11)
86.9 Joint Loading Control, Captain Zimmerli, USN
Kool Force (Floating Reserve)

Allied Air Forces

[edit]

At the time of Operation Husky, the Allied air forces in the North African and Mediterranean theatres were organized as the Mediterranean Air Command (MAC) under the command of Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder of the Royal Air Force. The major subdivisions of the MAC included the Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF) under the command of Lt. General Carl Spaatz of the U.S. Army Air Forces, the American 12th Air Force (also commanded by Gen. Spaatz), the American 9th Air Force under the command of Lt. General Lewis H. Brereton, and units of the British Royal Air Force (RAF).

Also supporting the NAAF were the RAF Middle East Command, Air Headquarters Malta, RAF Gibraltar, and the No. 216 (Transfer and Ferry) Group, which were subdivisions of MAC under the command of Tedder. He reported to the Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower for the NAAF operations, but to the British Chiefs of Staff for RAF Command operations. Air Headquarters Malta, under the command of Air Vice-Marshal Sir Keith Park, also supported Operation Husky.

The "Desert Air Task Force" consisting of American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers (the 12th and 340th Bombardment Groups) and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters (the 57th, 79th, and 324th Fighter Groups) from the 9th Air Force served under the command of Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham of the Northwest African Tactical Air Force. These bomber and fighter groups moved to new airfields on Sicily as soon as a significant beachhead had been captured there.

In the MAC organization established at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943, the 9th Air Force was assigned as a subdivision of the RAF Middle East Command under the command of Air Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas.[18][19][20][21]

Mediterranean Air Command (Allied)

[edit]

Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder had his headquarters in Algiers, Algeria.[22]

Principle Sicilian targets of the Northwest African Air Forces for Operation Husky.
Northwest African Air Forces
[edit]

Lt. General Carl Spaatz had his headquarters for the Northwest African Air Forces in Maison-Carrée, Algeria[22]

Northwest African Strategic Air Force
[edit]

Maj. General James H. Doolittle, in command of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force, had his headquarters in Constantine, Algeria[22]

5th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)
Northwest African Coastal Air Force
[edit]

Air Vice-Marshal Sir Hugh Lloyd also had his headquarters in Algiers.[22]

No. 242 Group RAF[23] (Air Commodore Kenneth Cross)
No. 323 Wing RAF
No. 73 Squadron, Supermarine Spitfire fighter planes
No. 255 Squadron, Bristol Beaufighters
No. II/5 Escadre (French Air Force), P-40 Warhawk fighters
No. II/7 Escadre (French Air Force), Spitfires
No. 283 Squadron, Supermarine Walrus air-sea rescue planes
No. 284 Squadron, Walrus air-sea aescue planes
No. 328 Wing RAF
No. 14 Squadron, Martin B-26 Marauder medium bombers
No. 39 Squadron, Bristol Beaufort torpedo bombers
No. 47 Squadron, Bristol Beauforts
No. 144 Squadron, Beaufighters
No. 52 Squadron, Martin Baltimore light bombers
No. 221 Squadron (Det.), Vickers Wellington medium bombers
No. 458 Squadron (RAAF), Wellington bombers
Source[24][25]
British Units American Units
RAF Units
No. 13 Squadron, Blenheim bombers
No. 614 Squadron, Blenheims
No. 36 Squadron, Wellington medium bombers
No. 253 Squadron, Hawker Hurricane fighters
No. 274 Squadron, Hurricanes
No. 313 Squadron, Hurricanes
No. 500 Squadron, Lockheed Hudson light bombers
No. 608 Squadron, Hudsons
No. 1575 (Special Duties) Flight,[nb 1] Handley Page Halifax and Lockheed Ventura bombers
52nd Fighter Group
Lt. Colonel James Coward
2nd Squadron, Spitfires
4th Squadron, Spitfires
5th Squadron, Spitfires

414th Night Fighter Squadron, Bristol Beaufighters
415th Night Fighter Squadron, Beaufighters
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Units
Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance
813 NAS (detached), Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers
820 NAS, Fairey Albacore c
821 NAS, Albacore n
826 NAS, Albacore r
828 NAS, Albacore r
81st Fighter Group
Lt. Colonel Michael Gordon

Oran, Algeria Sector:
92nd Squadron, Bell P-39 Airacobra fighters
1st Air Defense Wing:
91st Squadron, P-39 Airacobras
93rd Squadron, P-39 Airacobras

Bone, Algeria Sector:
No. 32 Squadron, Hawker Hurricanes
No. 87 Squadron, Hurricanes
No. 219 Squadron, Beaufighters
350th Fighter Group
Lt. Colonel Marvin McNickle
345th Squadron, P-39 Airacobras
346th Squadron, P-39 Airacobras
347th Squadron, P-39 Airacobras
2nd Air Defense Wing:

No. 153 Squadron, Beaufighters

480th Antisubmarine Group
Colonel Jack Roberts
1st Squadron, B-24 Liberator patrol planes
2nd Squadron, B-24 Liberators

Notes:

  1. The 1st and 2nd Antisubmarine Squadrons were assigned to NACAF for administration and placed under the operational control of the U.S. Navy Fleet Air Wing 15 of the Moroccan Sea Frontier commanded by Rear Admiral (United States) Frank J. Lowry
  2. Air Ministry was asked to provide two additional Wellington patrol squadrons.[clarification needed] Asked? This is supposed to be an accurate historical document. Many things get asked for, but many less get provided.
Northwest African Tactical Air Force
[edit]

Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham had his headquarters in Hammamet, Tunisia[22]

;Desert Air Force

Air Vice Marshal Harry Broadhurst

No. 7 Wing, South African Air Force
2 Squadron SAAF, Spitfire fighters
4 Squadron SAAF, Spitfires
5 Squadron SAAF, P-40 Kittyhawk fighters
No. 239 (Fighter) Wing RAF, P-40 Kittyhawks
No. 3 Squadron RAAF
No. 112 Squadron RAF
No. 250 Squadron RAF
No. 260 Squadron RAF
No. 450 Squadron RAAF
No. 244 (Fighter) Wing RAF, Spitfires
1 Squadron SAAF
No. 92 Squadron RCAF
No. 145 Squadron RAF
No. 417 Squadron RCAF
No. 601 (County of London) Squadron RAuxF
No. 322 (Fighter) Wing RAF, Colin Falkland Gray, Spitfires
No. 81 Squadron RAF
No. 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron RAF
No. 154 (Motor Industries) Squadron RAF
No. 232 Squadron RAF
No. 242 Squadron RAF
No. 324 Wing RAF, Spitfires
No. 43 Squadron RAF
No. 72 Squadron RAF
No. 93 Squadron RAF
No. 111 Squadron RAF
No. 243 Squadron RAF
57th Fighter Group (USAAF)
Colonel Arthur Salisbury
64th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
65th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
66th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
79th Fighter Group (USAAF)
Colonel Earl Bates
85th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
86th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
87th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
No. 285 (Reconnaissance) Wing RAF
40 Squadron SAAF, Detached, Spitfires
60 Squadron SAAF, Mosquito fighter-bombers
No. 1437 Flight RAF, P-51A Mustang fighters
No. 6 Squadron, Hurricane ground attack
;XII Air Support Command
Maj. General Edwin House[26][27]
27th Fighter-Bomber Group (USAAF)
Lt. Colonel John Stevenson
522nd Squadron, A-36 Mustang ground attack aircraft
523rd Squadron, A-36 Mustangs
524th Squadron, A-36 Mustangs
86th Fighter-Bomber Group (USAAF)
Major Clinton True
525th Squadron, A-36 Mustangs
526th Squadron, A-36 Mustangs
527th Squadron, A-36 Mustangs
33d Fighter Group (USAAF)
Colonel William W. Momyer
58th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
59th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
60th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
99th Squadron, P-40, Detached
324th Fighter Group (USAAF)
Colonel William McNown
314th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
315th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
316th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
31st Fighter Group (USAAF)
Lt. Colonel Frank Hill
307th Squadron, Spitfires
308th Squadron, Spitfires
309th Squadron, Spitfires
111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, P-51A Mustangs
;Tactical Bomber Force

Air Commodore Laurence Sinclair[26][27]

No. 3 Wing SAAF
12 Squadron SAAF, Boston light bombers
21 Squadron SAAF, Baltimore light bombers
24 Squadron SAAF, Bostons
No. 232 (Light Bomber) Wing RAF
No. 55 Squadron RAF, Baltimores
No. 223 Squadron RAF, Baltimores
33d Fighter Group (USAAF)
Colonel William W. Momyer
58th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
59th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
60th Squadron, P-40 Warhawks
99th Squadron, P-40, Detached
No. 326 Wing RAF
No. 18 Squadron RAF, Bostons
No. 114 Squadron RAF, Bostons
47th Bombardment Group (U.SA.A.F.)
Colonel Malcolm Green, Jr.
84th Squadron, A-20 Havoc
85th Squadron, A-20 Havocs
86th Squadron, A-20 Havocs
97th Squadron, A-20 Havocs
31st Fighter Group (U.S.A.A.F.)
Lt. Colonel Frank Hill
307th Squadron, Spitfires
308th Squadron, Spitfires
309th Squadron, Spitfires
12th Bombardment Group (USAAF)
Colonel Edward Backus
81st Squadron, B-25 Mitchell medium bombers
82nd Squadron, B-25 Mitchells
83rd Squadron, B-25 Mitchells
434th Squadron, B-25 Mitchells
340th Bombardment Group (USAAF)
Lt. Colonel Adolph Tokaz
486th Squadron, B-25 Mitchells
487th Squadron, B-25 Mitchells
488th Squadron, B-25 Mitchells
489th Squadron, B-25 Mitchells
No. 225 Squadron RAF, Spitfires
No. 241 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes

For Operation Husky, No. 242 Group, originally a component of NATAF in February 1943, was assigned to the Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF). At the same time, Air Headquarters, Western Desert became known as the Desert Air Force. All of the fighter units of Desert Air Force formed No. 211 (Offensive Fighter) Group commanded by Air Commodore Richard Atcherley on April 11, 1943 in Tripoli. The 99th Fighter Squadron was assigned to the XII Air Support Command on May 28, 1943, and later made a part of the 33rd Fighter Group.

Northwest African Troop Carrier Command
[edit]

United States Paul Williams, in Tunisia

51st Troop Carrier Wing
Brig. General Ray Dunn
52nd Troop Carrier Wing
Colonel Harold Clark
RAF Detachment
60th Troop Carrier Group
Lt. Colonel Frederick Sherwood

10th Squadron, C-47 Skytrains
11th Squadron, C-47s
12th Squadron, C-47s
28th Squadron, C-47s

61st Troop Carrier Group
Colonel Willis Mitchell
14th Squadron, C-47s
15th Squadron, C-47s
53rd Squadron, C-47s
59th Squadron, C-47s
No. 38 Wing

Air Commodore William Primrose

No. 295 Squadron RAF, Detached, Halifaxes
No. 296 Squadron RAF, Albemarles
62nd Troop Carrier Group
Lt. Colonel Aubrey Hurren

4th Squadron, C-47 Skytrains
7th Squadron, C-47s
8th Squadron, C-47s
51st Squadron, C-47s

313th Troop Carrier Group
Colonel James Roberts, Jr.

29th Squadron, C-47s
47th Squadron, C-47s
48th Squadron, C-47s
49th Squadron, C-47s

An Albemarle towing a Horsa glider.
64th Troop Carrier Group
Colonel John Cerny

16th Squadron, C-47 Skytrains
17th Squadron, C-47s
18th Squadron, C-47s
35th Squadron, C-47s

314th Troop Carrier Group
Colonel Clayton Stiles

32nd Squadron, C-47s
50th Squadron, C-47s
61st Squadron, C-47s
62nd Squadron, C-47s

Information in table taken from:

1) Participation of the Ninth and
Twelfth Air Forces in the Sicilian Campaign,
Army Air Forces Historical Study No. 37
Army Air Forces Historical Office Headquarters,
Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 1945.

316th Troop Carrier Group
Colonel Jerome McCauley

36th Squadron, C-47 Skytrains
44th Squadron, C-47s
45th Squadron, C-47s

Information in table taken from:

2) Maurer, Maurer, Air Force
Combat Units Of World War II,
Office of Air Force History,
Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 1983.

To help carry out transport and supply operations for Operation Husky, in mid-1943 the American 315th Troop Carrier Group (34th & 43rd Squadrons) had been flown from England to Tunisia. There it was assigned to the Mediterranean Air Transport Service, and along with NATCC, this was a subdivision of the Mediterranean Air Command.

Northwest African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing
[edit]

Colonel Elliott Roosevelt had his headquarters at La Marsa, Tunisia

Northwest African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing
3rd Photographic Group, Lt. Colonel Frank Dunn
5th Combat Mapping Squadron, P-38 Lightnings
12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, P-38 Lightnings
12th Weather Detachment
15th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, B-17 Flying Fortresses
13th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron photo intelligence squadron
No. 60 Squadron SAAF Det., Mosquitos
No. 540 Squadron RAF Det., Mosquitos
No. 680 Squadron RAF, Spitfires
2/33 Groupe (French), P-38 Lightnings (F-5 reconnaissance planes)
Northwest African Air Service Command
[edit]

Brig. General Delmar had his headquarters in Dunton, Algiers.[22]

Northwest African Training Command
[edit]

Brig. General John K. Cannon,
U.S. APO 525[22]

Air Headquarters Malta
[edit]

Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park, the commander of Air Headquarters Malta, had his headquarters in Valletta, Malta[28]

No. 248 (Naval Co-operation) Wing
No. 69 Squadron RAF, Baltimores
No. 108 Squadron RAF, Beaufighters
No. 221 Squadron RAF, Wellington bombers
No. 272 Squadron RAF, Beaufighters
No. 683 Squadron RAF, Spitfires
Spitfire fighter plane units
No. 40 Squadron SAAF of the South African Air Force
No. 126 Squadron RAF
No. 185 Squadron RAF
No. 229 Squadron RAF
No. 249 Squadron RAF
No. 1435 Flight RAF
Other units
No. 23 Squadron RAF, counter-night-intruder operations with

Mosquito fighter planes

No. 73 Squadron RAF Detachment (Det.), with Hurricane fighter planes
No. 256 Squadron RAF Det., with Mosquito night fighters
No. 600 Squadron RAF, Beaufighter night fighters
815 Naval Air Squadron Det. (Fleet Air Arm), Fairey Albacores
No. 216 (Transport and Ferry) Group
[edit]

Air Commodore Whitney Straight, Headquarters at Heliopolis, Egypt[28]

No. 17 Squadron SAAF, Junkers 52
No. 28 Squadron SAAF, Anson
No. 117 Squadron RAF, Hudson
No. 173 Squadron RAF, Lodestar, Proctor, Hurricane
No. 216 Squadron RAF, Douglas Dakota
No. 230 Squadron RAF, Short Sunderland
No. 267 Squadron RAF, Hudson
RAF Gibraltar
[edit]

Air Vice Marshal Sturley Simpson had his headquarters in Gibraltar

No. 48 Squadron RAF, Hudsons
No. 179 Squadron RAF, Wellingtons
No. 202 Squadron RAF, Catalinas
No. 210 Squadron RAF, Catalinas
No. 233 Squadron RAF, Hudsons
No. 248 Squadron RAF, Beaufighters
No. 544 Squadron RAF, Spitfires
813 Naval Air Squadron (Fleet Air Arm), Swordfish torpedo planes
No. 1403 (Meteorological) Flight Hampden, Gloster Gladiators
Middle East Command
[edit]

Air Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas Headquarters at Cairo, Egypt[22]

No. 201 (Naval Co-operation) Group
[edit]

Air Vice Marshal Thomas Langsford-Sainsbury, Headquarters at Alexandria, Egypt

No. 235 Wing
No. 13 Squadron (Royal Hellenic Air Force), Blenheim bombers
No. 227 Squadron RAF Det., Beaufighters
No. 454 Squadron RAAF, Baltimores
No. 459 Squadron RAAF, Hudsons
815 Naval Air Squadron (FAA), Swordfish
No. 238 Wing
No. 16 Squadron SAAF, Beauforts
No. 227 Squadron RAF Beaufighters
No. 603 Squadron RAF, Beaufighters
815 Naval Air Squadron (FAA), Swordfish
No. 245 Wing
No. 15 Squadron SAAF, Blenheims and Baltimores
No. 38 Squadron RAF, Wellingtons
No. 1 General Reconnaissance Unit, Wellingtons
No. 247 Wing
No. 38 Squadron RAF, Wellingtons
No. 203 Squadron RAF, Baltimores
No. 227 Squadron RAF, Beaufighters
No. 252 Squadron RAF, Beaufighters

No Wing assignment: 701 Naval Air Squadron (FAA), Walrus Air-Sea Rescue

Note: RAF=Royal Air Force; RAAF=Royal Australian Air Force; SAAF=South African Air Force; FAA=Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy); Det.= "detachment"

Air Headquarters Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean
[edit]

Air Vice Marshal Richard Saul

No. 209 (Fighter) Group
Group Captain R.C.F. Lister
No. 210 (Fighter) Group
Group Captain John Grandy
No. 212 (Fighter) Group
Air Commodore Archibald Wann
No. 219 (Fighter) Group
Group Captain Max Aitken
No. 46 Squadron RAF Det., Beaufighters No. 3 Squadron SAAF, Hurricanes No. 7 Squadron SAAF, Hurricanes No. 46 Squadron RAF, Beaufighters
No. 127 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes and Spitfires No. 33 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes No. 41 Squadron SAAF, Hurricanes No. 74 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 89 Squadron RAF, Beaufighters No. 80 Squadron RAF, Spitfires No. 238 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 213 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes No. 94 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes No. 335 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 274 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes No. 108 Squadron RAF Det., Beaufighters No. 336 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 123 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes No. 451 Squadron RAAF, Hurricanes
No. 134 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 237 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 1563 Met. Flight, Gloster Gladiators
No. 1654 Met. Flight, Gladiators

Notes:
SAAF=South African Air Force; RAAF=Royal Australian Air Forces; Det.=Detached; Met.=Meteorological.

U.S. 9th Air Force
[edit]

Major General Lewis H. Brereton had his headquarters in Cairo, Egypt[22]

IX Advanced Headquarters in Tripoli, Libya[22]
IX Fighter Command Headquarters in Tripoli[22]
IX Bomber Command Headquarters at Benghazi, Libya[22]
98th Bombardment Group, B-24D Liberator II
343rd Squadron, Lete Airfield, Libya
344th Squadron, Lete Airfield
345th Squadron, Benina Airfield
415th Squadron, Benina Airfield
376th Bombardment Group, B-24D Liberator II, Berka, Libya
512th Squadron
513th Squadron
514th Squadron
515th Squadron

Axis Forces

[edit]

Armed Forces Command Sicily

[edit]

The Armed Forces Command Sicily based in Enna under Generale d'Armata Alfredo Guzzoni had command of all axis forces on Sicily.

Italian 6th Army

[edit]

The Royal Italian Army's 6th Army co-located with Armed Forces Command Sicily in Enna and also commanded by Generale d'Armata Alfredo Guzzoni had command of all Royal Italian Army and German Army units on Sicily.[nb 2]
The German Army Liaison Officer was Generalleutnant Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin

6th Army, in Enna - Generale d'Armata Alfredo Guzzoni; Chief of Staff Generale di Brigata Emilio Faldella
10th Anti-tank Artillery Grouping, in Agrigento
CLXI Anti-tank Group, in San Michele di Ganzaria (90/53 self-propelled guns)
CLXII Anti-tank Group, in Borgesati (90/53 self-propelled guns)
CLXIII Anti-tank Group, in Paternò (90/53 self-propelled guns)
131st Tank Infantry Regiment (commands Mobile Group "H")[30]
XII Tank Battalion "L" (detached to Mobile Group "A")
1st Tank Company (Fiat 3000 tanks; detached to XII Army Corps for static airfield defense)
2nd Tank Company (Fiat 3000 tanks; detached to Mobile Group "H")
CI Tank Battalion (R35 tanks); detached mobile groups D, E, and F)
CII Tank Battalion (R35 tanks; detached to mobile groups A, B, and C)
IV Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 L40 self-propelled guns; detached to 4th Infantry Division "Livorno")
CXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 L40 self-propelled guns; detached to mobile groups A, B, and C)
CCXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 L40 self-propelled guns; detached to XII Army Corps)
XII Dismounted Squadrons Group/ Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Palermo"
II Battalion/ 10th Arditi Regiment
DV Self-propelled Anti-aircraft Artillery Group (90/53 anti-aircraft guns mounted on Breda 51 trucks)
2x Bersaglieri motorcyclist companies
2x Anti-aircraft artillery batteries (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
1x Anti-aircraft artillery battery (75/46 anti-aircraft guns)
19th Mining Engineers Company
Army Services

The 6th Army fielded more than 100 Anti-paratrooper units of about 30 men each. These units, with the oldest available local reservists, were tasked with searching for allied personnel - paratroopers and pilots - which had parachuted into Sicily behind the frontline.

Italian XII Army Corps
[edit]
XII Army Corps, in Corleone - Generale di Corpo d'Armata Mario Arisio, from 12 July: Generale di Corpo d'Armata Francesco Zingales - responsible for Sicily to the West of a line from Cefalù to Licata[31]
12th Army Corps Artillery Grouping
XIX Motorized Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
XXI Motorized Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
XXII Motorized Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
XLVIII Motorized Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
CXXI Motorized Artillery Group (149/13 howitzers)
CXXII Motorized Artillery Group (149/13 howitzers)
76th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
78th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
VII Anti-aircraft Artillery Group (75/46 anti-aircraft guns)
CIV Anti-tank Battalion, in Agrigento (47/32 anti-tank guns) (detached to 177th Mobile Territorial Bersaglieri Regiment)
CX Motorized Artillery Group (75/27 field guns; 2nd Battery detached to Mobile Group "A")
CLI Coastal Artillery Group (149/19 heavy guns, reinforcements from the Italian mainland)
CCXXXIII Motorized Artillery Group (75/27 field guns; detached to 26th Infantry Division "Assietta")
I Bersaglieri Anti-tank Battalion, in Corleone (47/32 anti-tank guns)
1x Engineer battalion
2x Bersaglieri motorcyclist companies
Army Corps Services
Coastal Troops Command
[edit]
Coastal Troops Command - Generale di Divisione Giovanni Marciani
136th (Autonomous) Coastal Regiment - responsible for the coast from the East of Palermo to including Cefalù
CIII Coastal Battalion
CDLXV Coastal Battalion
202nd Coastal Division - Generale di Brigata Gino Ficalbi - responsible for the coast from Mazara del Vallo to Sciacca
124th Coastal Regiment
CCCLXXVI Coastal Battalion
CCCLXXXVI Coastal Battalion
DXLIII Coastal Battalion
142nd Coastal Regiment
CCCLXXVII Coastal Battalion
CDXXVII Coastal Battalion
CDLXVI Coastal Battalion
CDXC Coastal Battalion
62nd Coastal Artillery Grouping
LVI Cannons Group (105/32 field guns)
LXXVI Coastal Artillery Group (149/35 heavy guns)
CLXXI Coastal Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
CLXXII Coastal Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
63rd Coastal Artillery Grouping
LV Cannons Group (105/32 field guns)
CXLI Coastal Artillery Group (75/27 field guns)
CXLIII Coastal Artillery Group (149/35 howitzers))
CLVII Coastal Artillery Group (149/19 howitzers)
CCCIII Coastal Battalion
CIX Static Machine Gun Battalion
151st Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
102nd Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
Division Services
207th Coastal Division, in Agrigento - Generale di Brigata Ottorino Schreiber, later Generale di Brigata Augusto De Laurentiis - responsible for the coast from Sciacca to Punta Due Rocche to the East of Licata
138th Coastal Regiment
CCCLXXX Coastal Battalion
CCCLXXXVIII Coastal Battalion
CDXX Coastal Battalion
139th Coastal Regiment, in Licata
CDXIX Coastal Battalion
CCCXC Coastal Battalion
DXXXVIII Coastal Battalion
177th Mobile Territorial Bersaglieri Regiment (attached)
DXXV Bersaglieri Battalion
DXXVI Bersaglieri Battalion
DXXVII Bersaglieri Battalion
CIV Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 anti-tank guns; detached from 12th Army Corps Artillery Grouping)
1st Motorized Machine Gun Company (attached)
12th Coastal Artillery Grouping
XXXV Coastal Artillery Group (3x 105/28 and 1x 75/27 batteries)
CXLV Coastal Artillery Group (2x 105/28 and 1x 75/34 batteries)
CLX Coastal Artillery Group (2x 149/35 and 1x 105mm/27 batteries)
CCXXII Coastal Artillery Group (2x 100/22 batteries)
CIV Coastal Battalion
CV Static Machine Gun Battalion
103rd Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
Division Services
208th Coastal Division - Generale di Divisione Giovanni Marciani (nominal) - Colonel Dal Monte (effective) - responsible for the coast from Palermo to Trapani
133rd Coastal Regiment
CCXLIV Coastal Battalion
CDXXIII Coastal Battalion
CDXCVIII Coastal Battalion
147th Coastal Regiment
CCCLXXVIII Coastal Battalion
CDXXXVIII Coastal Battalion
DXXXIX Coastal Battalion
28th Coastal Artillery Grouping
CXXIV Coastal Artillery Group (105/14 howitzers
CCXV Coastal Artillery Group (100/17 howitzers)
CXII Machine Gun Battalion
164th Anti-tank Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
101st Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
517th Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
Division Services
230th Coastal Division - Generale di Divisione Egisto Conti - responsible for the coast from the South of Trapani to Mazara del Vallo (division raised on 1 June 1943 from personnel of the 8th Marching Division and arrived in Sicily on 3 July 1943, augmented with units of the 202nd Coastal Division)
120th Coastal Regiment
CCXLV Coastal Battalion
DCCCLVII Coastal Battalion
DCCCLXXX Coastal Battalion
184th Coastal Regiment
CCCLXXXVII Coastal Battalion
CDXCVII Coastal Battalion
43rd Coastal Artillery Grouping
VII Coastal Artillery Group (1x 149/35 and 1x 155/36 batteries)
XX Coastal Artillery Group (1x 149/35 and 1x 155/36 batteries)
XXII Coastal Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
CCXVIII Coastal Artillery Group (100/22 howitzers)
712th Machine Gun Company
Division Services
XXIX Coastal Brigade - Harbor Defense Command "N", in Palermo[32] - Generale di Divisione Giuseppe Molinero
CCCIV Coastal Battalion
CCCXLIV Coastal Battalion
CDLXXVI Coastal Battalion
XXX Dismounted Squadrons Group/ Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Palermo"
I Group/ 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta"/ 26th Infantry Division "Assietta" (100/17 howitzers)
XLI Coastal Artillery Group
121st Battery, at Punta la Barbara (2x 152/45 cannons)
122nd Battery, at Aspra (2x 152/45 cannons)
2x batteries (1x with 75/27 field guns, 1x with 105/28 howitzers)
51st Heavy Artillery Battery
Tactical Groups
[edit]

Tactical groups were created from corps assets and detached units of the army corps's two infantry divisions. The groups were deployed near the beaches most likely to be used by the allies.

Tactical Group "Chiusa Sclafani", in Chiusa Sclafani
10th Bersaglieri Regiment
XXXV Bersaglieri Battalion
LXXIII Bersaglieri Battalion
LXXIV Bersaglieri Battalion
CIII Motorized Artillery Group (75/27 field guns)
4th Self-propelled Company (75/18 self-propelled guns)
10th Armored Car Squadron (AB 41 armored cars)
Tactical Group "Alcamo-Partinico", in the area of Alcamo and Partinico
171st CC.NN. Legion "Vespri"/ 28th Infantry Division "Aosta"
CLXVIII CC.NN. Battalion
CLXXI CC.NN. Battalion
171st CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
I Group/ 22nd Artillery Regiment "Aosta" (75/27 field guns)
Tactical Group "Inchiapparo-Casale", in the area of Inchiapparo and Casale
LI Bersaglieri Battalion
82nd Anti-tank Battery (75/39 anti-tank guns)
Tactical Group "Campobello-Ravanusa", in the area of Campobello di Licata and Ravanusa
I Squadrons Group/ Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Palermo"
XVII CC.NN. Battalion/ 17th CC.NN. Legion "Cremona"/ 26th Infantry Division "Assietta"
259th Machine Gun Company/ 17th CC.NN. Legion "Cremona"/ 26th Infantry Division "Assietta"
Mobile Groups
[edit]

Mobile groups were fully motorized battle groups created from corps assets and detached units of the army corps's two infantry divisions. The groups were deployed near the beaches most likely to be used by the allies.[33]

Mobile Group "A", in Paceco - Lieutenant Colonel Renato Perrone
Headquarters Company/ XII Tank Battalion "L"
1st Company/ CXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 L40 self-propelled guns)
4th Company/ CII Tank Battalion (R35 tanks)
3rd Company/ CDXLVIII Motorized Coastal Battalion
2nd Battery/ CX Motorized Artillery Group (75/27 field guns)
2nd Section/ 328th Anti-aircraft Battery/ 22nd Artillery Regiment "Aosta" (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
Mobile Group "B", in Santa Ninfa - Lieutenant Colonel Vito Gaetano Mascio
Headquarters Company/ CXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion
3rd Company/ CXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 self-propelled guns)
6th Company/ CII Tank Battalion (R35 tanks)
1st and 2nd companies/ CDXLVIII Motorized Coastal Battalion
161st Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
6th Battery/ CCXXXIII Motorized Artillery Group (75/27 field guns)
2nd Section/ 10th Anti-aircraft Battery/ 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta" (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
Mobile Group "C", in Portella Misilbesi - Lieutenant Colonel Osvaldo Mazzei
Headquarters Company/ CII Tank Battalion
2nd Company/ CXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 self-propelled guns)
5th Company/ CII Tank Battalion (R35 tanks)
4th Company/ CDXLVIII Motorized Coastal Battalion
104th Anti-tank company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
10th Battery/ IV Group/ 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta" (75/27 field guns)
4th Section/ 326th Anti-aircraft Battery/ 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta" (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
XII Army Corps Reserve
[edit]

The 26th Infantry Division "Assietta" had been transferred from its bases and recruiting area in eastern Piedmont to Sicily in August 1941. The division's pre-deployment headquarters were in Asti, while's its two infantry regiments had been based in Asti (29th) and Tortona (30th), with the division's artillery regiment also based at Asti.

26th Infantry Division "Assietta" - Generale di Divisione Francesco Scotti, from 26 July: Generale di Brigata Ottorino Schreiber
29th Infantry Regiment "Assietta"
3x Fusilier battalions
Support Weapons Company (65/17 infantry support guns)
Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
30th Infantry Regiment "Assietta"
3x Fusilier battalions
Support Weapons Company (65/17 infantry support guns)
Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
17th CC.NN. Legion "Cremona"
XVII CC.NN. Battalion (detached to Tactical Group "Campobello-Ravanusa")
XVIII CC.NN. Battalion
259th CC.NN. Machine Gun Company (detached to Tactical Group "Campobello-Ravanusa")
25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta"
I Artillery Group (100/17 howitzers; detached to XXIX Coastal Brigade)
II Artillery Group (100/17 howitzers)
III Artillery Group (75/27 field guns)
IV Artillery Group (75/27 field guns; 10th Battery detached to Mobile Group "C")
10th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; 2nd Section detached to Mobile Group "B")
326th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; 4th Sections detached to Mobile Group "C")
XXVI Mortar Battalion (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
CXXVI Machine Gun Battalion
CCXXXIII Motorized Artillery Group (75/27 field guns; 6th Battery detached to Mobile Group "C")
Mixed Engineer Battalion
50th Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company (attached)
126th Anti-tank Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
Division Services

The 28th Infantry Division "Aosta" was one of three divisions, which recruited in Sicily. It mainly drafted men from western Sicily and had its peacetime headquarters in Palermo. It's two infantry regiments were based in Trapani (5th) and Palermo (6th), where also the division's artillery regiment was based.

28th Infantry Division "Aosta" - Generale di Divisione Giuseppe Romano
5th Infantry Regiment "Aosta"
3x Fusilier battalions
Support Weapons Company (65/17 infantry support guns)
Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
6th Infantry Regiment "Aosta"
3x Fusilier battalions
Support Weapons Company (65/17 infantry support guns)
Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
171st CC.NN. Legion "Vespri" (detached as Tactical Group "Alcamo-Partinico")
CLXVIII CC.NN. Battalion
CLXXI CC.NN. Battalion
171st CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
22nd Artillery Regiment "Aosta"
I Artillery Group (75/27 field guns; detached to Tactical Group "Alcamo-Partinico")
II Artillery Group (75/27 howitzers)
III Motorized Group (75/18 Mod. 35 field guns)
IV Artillery Group (75/13 mountain guns)
328th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; 2nd Section detached to Mobile Group "A")
365th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
XXVIII Mortar Battalion (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
CXXVIII Mixed Engineer Battalion
28th Anti-tank Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
Division Services
Italian XVI Army Corps
[edit]
XVI Army Corps, in Piazza Armerina - Generale di Corpo d'Armata Carlo Rossi - responsible for Sicily to the East of a line from Cefalù to Gela[31]
40th Army Corps Artillery Grouping, in Piazza Armerina
X Motorized Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
XVI Motorized Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
XXIX Motorized Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
CIX Motorized Artillery Group (149/13 howitzers)
CX Heavy Artillery Group (149/13 howitzers)
16th Army Corps Engineer Grouping
LVIII Bersaglieri Battalion
XII Army Corps Machine Gun Battalion
CCXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 L40 self-propelled guns)
XI Anti-aircraft Artillery Group (75/46 anti-aircraft guns)
1x Engineer battalion
Army Corps Services
Coastal Troops Command
[edit]
Coastal Troops Command - Generale di Divisione Achille d'Havet
206th Coastal Division, in Modica - Generale di Divisione Achille d'Havet - responsible for the coast from Punta Braccetto in Santa Croce Camerina to Arenella to the South of Syracuse
122nd Coastal Regiment
CCXLIII Coastal Battalion
CCCLXXV Coastal Battalion
123rd Coastal Regiment
CCCLXXXI Coastal Battalion
CCCLXXXIII Coastal Battalion
DXLII Coastal Battalion
146th Coastal Regiment
CCCLXXIV Coastal Battalion
CDXXX Coastal Battalion
CDXXXVII Coastal Battalion
44th Coastal Artillery Grouping
CII Coastal Artillery Group (75/27 field guns)
CLXI Coastal Artillery Group (149/35 heavy guns)
CLXIV Coastal Artillery Group (149/35 heavy guns)
CCIX Coastal Artillery Group (100/22 howitzers)
CCXXIV Coastal Artillery Group (100/22 howitzers)
227th Coastal Artillery Battery (105/14 howitzers)
DXLII Mobile Territorial Bersaglieri Battalion (attached, 2nd Company detached to Mobile Group "F")
CIV Static Machine Gun Battalion
CCXX Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion (attached; 47/32 L40 self-propelled guns)
122nd Engineer Platoon
2x Anti-paratrooper units
Division Services
213th Coastal Division, Generale di Brigata Carlo Gotti - responsible for the coast from Punta Castelluccio in Agnone Bagni to Moleti south of Messina
135th Coastal Regiment
XII Coastal Battalion
CII Coastal Battalion
CCCLXIX Coastal Battalion
CCCLXXII Coastal Battalion
21st Coastal Artillery Grouping
XXX Coastal Artillery Group (105/28 howitzers)
XC Coastal Artillery Group (2x 149/19 and 2x 149/35 heavy gun batteries)
CXLIV Coastal Artillery Group (105/14 howitzers)
CCXXX Coastal Artillery Group (100/22 howitzers)
CLIII Static Machine Gun Battalion
Division Services
XVIII Coastal Brigade, in Niscemi to Gela Generale di Brigata Orazio Mariscalco - responsible for the coast from Punta Due Rocche to the East of Licata to Punta Braccetto in Santa Croce Camerina
134th Coastal Regiment
CDXXIX Coastal Battalion
CCCLXXXIV Coastal Battalion
178th Coastal Regiment
DI Coastal Battalion (4th Company detached to Mobile Group "E")
CCCLXXXIX Coastal Battalion
60th Coastal Artillery Grouping
XXI Coastal Artillery Group (2x 75/27 field gun and 2x 75/34 anti-tank gun batteries)
LXXXI Coastal Artillery Group (75/32 field guns)
CLXII Coastal Artillery Group (149/35 heavy guns)
CCIX Coastal Artillery Group (100/22 howitzers)
81st Artillery Battery (75/34 anti-tank guns)
106th Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
426th Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
268th Anti-tank Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
288th Artillery Battery (155/36 guns)
455th, 456th, 526th, and 332nd Anti-paratrooper units
Brigade Services
XIX Coastal Brigade, Generale di Brigata Giovanni Bocchetti - responsible for the coast from the West of Messina to, but excluding, Cefalù
140th Coastal Regiment
CI Coastal Battalion
CDXLVII Coastal Battalion
179th Coastal Regiment
CDXXXV Coastal Battalion
D Coastal Battalion
61st Coastal Artillery Grouping
Coastal Artillery Group (4x batteries of 75/27 field guns)
Coastal Artillery Group (4x batteries of 122/45 howitzers)
128th Coastal Artillery Battery (105/28 howitzers)
XV Anti-tank battalion (attached; 47/32 anti-tank guns)
52nd Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company (attached)
104th Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
413th Static Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
Brigade Services
Harbor Defense Command "H", in Catania - Generale di Brigata Azzo Passalacqua[32]
CDXXXIV Coastal Battalion
CDLXXVII Coastal Battalion
XXVI Coastal Artillery Group (75/27 field guns)
105th Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
Tactical Groups
[edit]

Tactical groups were created from corps assets and detached units of the army corps's two infantry divisions. The groups were deployed near the beaches most likely to be used by the allies.

Tactical Group "Barcellona", in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto
Headquarters Company/ CIII Anti-tank Battalion
2nd Company/ CIII Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 anti-tank guns)
7th Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
12th Battery/ IV Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli" (75/18 field guns)
Arditi Platoon/ CDXLVII Coastal Battalion
Tactical Group "Carmito", in Carmito
IV Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion/ 4th Infantry Division "Livorno" (47/32 L40 self-propelled guns)
53rd Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
Tactical Group "Comiso-Ispica", in the area of Comiso and Ispica - Colonel Busalacchi
CLXXIII CC.NN. Battalion
I Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli" (100/17 howitzers)
174th CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
2nd Company/ LIV Mortar Battalion/ 54th Infantry Division "Napoli" (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
1x Anti-Tank platoon (47mm/32)
Tactical Group "Linguaglossa", in Linguaglossa
LVII Bersaglieri Battalion
54th Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
11th Battery/ IV Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli" (75/18 Mod. 35 field guns)
Mobile Groups
[edit]

Mobile groups were fully motorized battle groups created from corps assets and detached units of the army corps's two infantry divisions. The groups were deployed near the beaches most likely to be used by the allies.[33]

Mobile Group "D", in Misterbianco - Lieutenant Colonel Massimino D'Andretta
Headquarters Company/ CI Tank Battalion
3rd Company/ CI Tank Battalion (R35 tanks)
2nd Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
7th Company/ II Fusilier Battalion/ 76th Infantry Regiment "Napoli"
1st Company/ CIII Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 anti-tank guns)
10th Battery/ IV Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli" (75/18 Mod. 35 field guns)
1st Section/ 354th Anti-aircraft Battery/ 54th Infantry Division "Napoli" (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
Mobile Group "E", in Niscemi - Captain Giuseppe Granieri (destroyed in the Battle of Gela)
1st Company/ CI Tank Battalion (R35 tanks)
2nd Company/ CII Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 anti-tank guns)
155th Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
4th Company/ DI Coastal Battalion/ XVIII Coastal Brigade
9th Battery/ III Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli" (75/18 field guns)
1st Section/ 21st Anti-aircraft Battery/ 54th Infantry Division "Napoli" (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
Mobile Group "F", in Rosolini
Headquarters Company/ CII Anti-tank Battalion
2nd Company/ CI Tank Battalion (R35 tanks, 1x platoon detached to Mobile Group "G")
3rd Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
2nd Company/ DXLII Mobile Territorial Bersaglieri Battalion
1st Company/ CII Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 anti-tank guns)
2nd Battery/ CXXVI Motorized Artillery Group (75/27 field guns)
Mobile Group "G", in Comiso - Lieutenant Colonel Porcù
CLXIX CC.NN. Battalion/ 173rd CC.NN. Legion "Salso"/ 54th Infantry Division "Napoli"
3rd Company/ CII Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 anti-tank guns)
8th Battery/ III Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli" (75/18 field guns)
1x Platoon/ 2nd Company/ CI Tank Battalion (R35 tanks)
Mobile Group "H", in Caltagirone - Lieutenant Colonel Luigi Cixi
Headquarters Company/ 131st Tank Infantry Regiment
2nd Tank Company (9x Fiat 3000 tanks)
3rd Company/ CIII Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 anti-tank guns)
7th Battery/ III Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli" (75/18 field guns)
1x Platoon/ Mortar Company/ 76th Infantry Regiment "Napoli" (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
XVI Army Corps Reserve
[edit]

The 4th Infantry Division "Livorno" had been transferred from its bases and recruiting area in southern Piedmont to Sicily in February 1943. Initially intended as reinforcement for Army Group Africa fighting in Tunisia, the Army Group's disastrous situation and retreat to Tunis prevented the division's transfer to Tunisia. The division's pre-deployment headquarters were in Cuneo, while's its two infantry regiments had been based in Cuneo (33rd) and Fossano (34th), where also the division's artillery regiment had been based.

4th Infantry Division "Livorno" - Generale di Divisione Domenico Chirieleison
33rd Infantry Regiment "Livorno"
3x Fusilier battalions (2x motorized)[32]
Support Weapons Company (65/17 infantry support guns)
Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
34th Infantry Regiment "Livorno"[citation needed]
3x Fusilier battalions (2x motorized)[32]
Support Weapons Company (65/17 infantry support guns)
Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
185th Infantry Regiment "Nembo" (attached from 3 to 13 August 1943)
III Paratroopers Battalion
VIII Paratroopers Battalion
XI Paratroopers Battalion
Cannons Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
28th Artillery Regiment "Livorno"
I Motorized Group (100/17 howitzers)
II Motorized Group (100/17 howitzers)
III Motorized Group (75/18 Mod. 35 field guns)
IV Motorized Group (75/18 field guns)
78th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (20/65 anti-aircraft guns)
IV Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion (47/32 L40 self-propelled guns; detached to Tactical Group "Carmito")[32]
IV Mortar Battalion (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
IV Motorized Engineer Battalion
XI Sapper Battalion (attached)
4th Anti-tank Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
Division Services

The 54th Infantry Division "Napoli" was one of three divisions, which recruited in Sicily. It mainly drafted men from southern Sicily and had its peacetime headquarters in Caltanissetta. It's two infantry regiments were based in Syracuse (75th) and Agrigento (76th), while the division's artillery regiment was based in Caltanissetta.

54th Infantry Division "Napoli",[32] Generale di Divisione Giulio Cesare Gotti Porcinari
75th Infantry Regiment "Napoli"
3x Fusilier battalions
Support Weapons Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
76th Infantry Regiment "Napoli"
3x Fusilier battalions (7th Company/ II Fusilier Battalion detached to Mobile Group "D")
Support Weapons Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
Mortar Company (81mm Mod. 35 mortars; one platoon detached to Mobile Group "H")
173rd CC.NN. Legion "Salso"
CLXIX CC.NN. Battalion (detached to Mobile Group "G")
CLXXIII CC.NN. Battalion (detached to Tactical Group "Comiso-Ispica")
174th CC.NN. Machine Gun Company (detached to Tactical Group "Comiso-Ispica")
54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli"
I Group (100/17 howitzers, detached to Tactical Group "Comiso-Ispica")
II Group (75/27 field guns)
III Motorized Group (75/18 Mod. 35 field guns; all batteries detached to tactical and mobile groups)
IV Motorized Group (75/18 field guns; all batteries detached to mobile groups)
21st Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; 1st Section detached to Mobile Group "E")
354th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; 1st Section detached to Mobile Group "D")
LIV Machine Gun Battalion (81mm Mod. 35 mortars)
LIV Mortar Battalion (81mm Mod. 35 mortars, 2nd Company detached to Tactical Group "Comiso-Ispica")
CXXVI Motorized Artillery Group (75/27 field guns, 2nd Battery detached to Mobile Group "F")
LIV Engineer Battalion
54th Anti-tank Company (47/32 anti-tank guns)
Division Services
German XIV Panzer Corps
[edit]

The XIV Panzer Corps was activated 18 July 1943[34] to take command of the 15th Panzergrenadier Division, the Hermann Göring Division, the newly arrived 1st Parachute Division and the 29th Panzergrenadier Division which started to arrive in Sicily on 18 July. The commanding general was General der Panzertruppe Hans-Valentin Hube.

German XIV Panzer Corps, General der Panzertruppe Hans-Valentin Hube
382nd Panzergrenadier Regiment (reinforcements, arrived 11 July)
2x battalions (a third battalion remained in Naples)
904th Fortress Battalion
923rd Fortress Battalion
926th Fortress Battalion
4th Battery/ I Battalion/ 71st Werfer Regiment (15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 and 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42)
Panzer Division "Hermann Göring" - Generalleutnant Paul Conrath (attached to XVI Italian Army Corps until the activation of XIV Panzer Corps on 18 July)[35]
Panzer Regiment "Hermann Göring"
2x tank battalions, 1x assault gun battalion (43x Panzer III L/M, 7x Panzer III K 3x Panzer III N, 32x Panzer IV F2/G, 20x StuG IIIG, 9x StuH 42)
1st Panzergrenadier Regiment "Hermann Göring"
3x battalions
2nd Panzergrenadier Regiment "Hermann Göring"
3x battalions
Panzer Artillery Regiment "Hermann Göring"
I Battalion (3x 10.5 cm leFH 18 batteries)
II Battalion (2x 10.5 cm leFH 18 and 1x 10 cm sK 18 batteries)
III Battalion (2x 15 cm sFH 18 and 1x 10 cm sK 18 batteries)
Anti-aircraft Regiment "Hermann Göring"
I Battalion (3x 8.8 cm Flak and 2x 2 cm Flak batteries)
II Battalion (3x 8.8 cm Flak and 4x 2 cm Flak batteries; reinforcements arriving 30 July)
Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion "Hermann Göring"
Panzer Engineer Battalion "Hermann Göring"
Panzer Signal Battalion "Hermann Göring"
Replacement Battalion "Hermann Göring"
2nd Company/ 504th Heavy Tank Battalion (17x Tiger I)
Division Services
15th Panzergrenadier Division - Generalmajor Eberhard Rodt (one third of the division (a reinforced infantry group) was attached to the XVI Italian Army Corps and the rest to the XII Italian Army Corps until the activation of XIV Panzer Corps on 18 July)[35]
104th Panzergrenadier Regiment
2x battalions
115th Panzergrenadier Regiment
2x battalions
129th Panzergrenadier Regiment
3x battalions
33rd Motorized Artillery Regiment
I Battalion (3x 10.5 cm leFH 18 batteries)
II Battalion (3x 17 cm Kanone 18 batteries; former 557th Heavy Artillery Battalion)
III Battalion (2x 10.5 cm leFH 18 and 1x mortar batteries)
IV Battalion (3x 10.5 cm leFH 18 batteries)
Panzergrenadier Battalion "Reggio", in Reggio Calabria
215th Panzer Battalion (6x Panzer III, 46x Panzer IV)
33rd Engineer Battalion
315th Anti-aircraft Battalion (2x 8.8 cm Flak, 1x 3.7 cm Flak and 1x 2 cm Flak batteries)
999th Signal Battalion
Division Services
1st Fallschirmjäger Division - Generalleutnant Richard Heidrich (commenced arriving by air on 12 July; the 1st Fallschirmjäger Regiment was held in reserve at Naples)[36]
3rd Fallschirmjäger Regiment
3x battalions
13th Mortar Company
14th Anti-tank Company
4th Fallschirmjäger Regiment
3x battalions
13th Mortar Company
14th Anti-tank Company
1st Parachute Artillery Regiment
I Battalion (3x batteries 7.5 cm GebG 36)
II Battalion (3x batteries 7.5 cm GebG 36; with the 1st Fallschirmjäger Regiment at Naples)
1st Parachute Machine Gun Battalion
1st Parachute Panzerjäger Battalion (7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank guns)
1st Parachute Engineer Battalion
1st Parachute Signal Battalion
Division Services
29th Panzergrenadier Division - Generalmajor Walter Fries (commenced arriving in Sicily on 18 July)[37]
15th Panzergrenadier Regiment
3x battalions
13th Mortar Company (6x sIG Grille)
14th Anti-tank Company (3x 7.5 cm Pak 40, 6x 5 cm Pak 38)
71st Panzergrenadier Regiment
3x battalions
13th Company (6x sIG Grille)
14th Anti-tank Company (3x 7.5 cm Pak 40, 6x 5 cm Pak 38)
29th Artillery Regiment
I Self-propelled Battalion (18x le.F.H. Wespe)
II Battalion
III Battalion
129th Panzer Battalion (43x StuG III, 3x Panzer III K)
129th Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion (remained in Southern Italy)
29th Engineer Battalion
313th Anti-aircraft Battalion (2x 8.8 cm Flak and 1x 3.7 cm Flak batteries)
29th Signal Battalion
Division Services
Territorial Defense Command Palermo
[edit]

The Territorial Defense Command was tasked with rear area security duties, the training of recruits, and the formation of units.

Territorial Defense Command Palermo, in Palermo
25th Military Zone, in Palermo
Infantry Complementary Officer Recruits School
185th Coastal Regiment (activated on 20 May 1943)[38]
186th Coastal Regiment (activated on 1 June 1943 - not fully mobilized)[38]
188th Coastal Regiment (activated on 15 June 1943 - not fully mobilized)[38]
189th Coastal Regiment (activated on 15 June 1943 - not fully mobilized)[38]
Territorial Carabinieri Legion "Palermo"
13th CC.NN. Railway Legion (rail transport police)
22nd CC.NN. Anti-aircraft Legion
See Territorial Anti-aircraft Defense section for details
5th CC.NN. Road Units Group (traffic police)
I CC.NN. Forestry Battalion (forest/environmental police)
CCCLXVIII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
CCCLXX Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
CCCLXXI Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
CCCLXXII Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
58th, 59th, 67th, 68th, 72nd, 73rd, and 74th Coastal CC.NN. companies
4x Coastal artillery batteries
28th Infantry Division "Aosta" Depot, in Palermo
54th Infantry Division "Napoli" Depot, in Caltanissetta
26th Military Zone, in Messina
Territorial Carabinieri Legion "Messina"
DLXVII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
CCCLXXIII Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
75th Coastal CC.NN. Company
29th Infantry Division "Piemonte" Depot, in Messina

The 29th Infantry Division "Piemonte" was one of three infantry divisions, which recruited in Sicily. It mainly drafted men from eastern Sicily and had its peacetime headquarters in Messina. It's two infantry regiments were based in Messina (3rd) and Catania (4th), with the division's artillery regiment based also in Messina. In September 1940 the division was transferred to Albania and remained in the Balkans and Greece until it disbanded after the Italian-Allied Armistice of Cassibile.

Maritime Military Command Sicily

[edit]

Military harbors in Sicily were under command of the Royal Italian Navy's Maritime Military Command Sicily (Italian: Comando Militare Marittimo in Sicilia) in Messina, which fell under Armed Forces Command Sicily. The command's commanding officer was Ammiraglio di Squadra Pietro Barone and a large majority of its units were Royal Italian Army and CC.NN. units. The only naval units in Sicily in July 1943 were twenty torpedo boats of the 3rd and 7th torpedo boat squadrons.

Besides the three major commands listed below the Royal Italian Navy was also present with administrative Navy Commands in Catania, Palermo, and Porto Empedocle.[39]

Maritime Military Base Messina-Reggio Calabria
[edit]
Maritime Military Base Messina-Reggio Calabria, in Messina[32] - Ammiraglio di Squadra Pietro Barone
116th Coastal Regiment, in Reggio Calabria
CLVI Coastal Battalion
DII Coastal Battalion
119th Coastal Regiment
CCCLXX Coastal Battalion
CCCLXXI Coastal Battalion
CDXLII Coastal Battalion
DIII Coastal Battalion
95th CC.NN. Legion "Marzocco"
XCIII CC.NN. Battalion
XCV CC.NN. Battalion
93rd CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
DLXIII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion (from the 163rd CC.NN. Legion "Tommaso Gulli" in Reggio Calabria)
DLXVI Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
XIII Dismounted Squadrons Group/ Regiment "Cavalleggeri di Palermo"
CCLV Coastal Artillery Battalion, in Reggio Calabria (100/22 howitzers)
CLVIII Coastal Artillery Battalion (149/19 heavy guns)
6th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion
[edit]
6th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion, in Messina[40]
50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 54th, and 55th Coastal CC.NN. companies
Sicilian Command Group North, in Fort Menaja
Coastal Artillery Battery "Masotto" (6x 280/9 coastal defense howitzers)
Coastal Artillery Battery "Spartà" (3x 152/45 naval guns and 1x 120/40 naval gun)
Coastal Artillery Battery "Mezzacapo" (4x 120/50 naval guns)
Artillery Battery "RE 198" (4x 105/28 field guns; Royal Italian Army)
Searchlights at Pace del Mela and Torre Faro; optical telegraph at Fort Spuria; reconnaissance station at Piano del Giglio
Anti-aircraft Command Group North, at Tremonti
Dual-role Battery "MS 123" (4x 90/42 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 400" (4x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 475" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 577" (4x 76/40 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 724" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 949" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Sicilian Command Group South, in Puntale Cappellaro
Coastal Artillery Battery "Cavalli" (6x 280/9 coastal defense howitzers)
Coastal Artillery Battery "Margottini" (3x 152/45 naval guns and 1x 120/40 naval gun)[41]
Coastal Artillery Battery "De Cristofaro" (4x 120/40 naval guns)
Artillery Battery "RE 199" (4x 105/28 field guns; Royal Italian Army)
Searchlight at Tremestieri
Anti-aircraft Command Group South, at Montepiselli
Dual-role Battery "MS 3" (4x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 280" (4x 90/53 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 525" (4x 90/42 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 611" (4x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)

After the allies had landed on Sicily the Maritime Military Base Messina-Reggio Calabria was reinforced with every available anti-aircraft battery to protect the vital supply route over the Strait of Messina. Until the end of July the following anti-aircraft units had reached Messina:[42]

Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 120" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 159" (4x 90/42 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 253" (4x 76/40 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 277" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 328" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "RE 344" (8x 37/54 anti-aircraft guns; Royal Italian Army)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 349" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 434" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 477" (4x 76/40 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 553" (8x 37/54 anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 620" (4x 90/53 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 713" (4x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 807" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 881" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 905" (4x 76/40 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 940" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)

Additionally the German Army's 281st Flak Battalion had been transferred to Messina with eight 8.8 cm Flak and six smaller caliber anti-aircraft batteries. After arriving in Messina the 281st Battalion was renamed "Flak Subgroup Messina". Retreating Italian army troops brought a further three 75/46 and six 90/53 anti-aircraft batteries to Messina. On 2 August the retreating 22nd Flak Brigade of the Luftwaffe arrived in Messina and took command of all Axis air-defense units.

14th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion
[edit]
14th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion, in Reggio Calabria[40]
Calabrian Command Group North, at Fort Siacci
Coastal Artillery Battery "Beleno" (6x 280/9 coastal defense howitzers)
Artillery Battery "RE 196" (4x 105/28 field guns; Royal Italian Army)
Searchlights at Scilla, Santa Trada, and Punta Pezzo
Calabrian Command Group South, in Pentimele Sud
Coastal Artillery Battery "Pellizzari" (4x 280/9 coastal defense howitzers)
Coastal Artillery Battery "Conteduca" (4x 152/50 and 1x 120/40 naval guns)
Artillery Battery "RE 197" (4x 105/28 field guns; Royal Italian Army)
Searchlights at Catona and Pentimele; reconnaissance Station at Torre Lupo
Anti-aircraft Command Group Reggio Calabria:
Dual-role Battery "MS 110" (4x 90/42 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 116" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 268" (4x 90/53 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 374" (4x 76/40 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 430" (4x 90/53 anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 643" (4x 90/53 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "MS 819" (4x 90/53 naval/anti-aircraft guns)

Additionally the Luftwaffe's 182nd Heavy Flak Battalion had been transferred to Reggio Calabria with eight 8.8 cm Flak, four 10.5 cm Flak, and five smaller caliber anti-aircraft batteries. After arriving in Reggio Calabria the 182nd Battalion was renamed "Flak Subgroup Reggio-San Giovanni". The Germans also deployed four 17 cm cannon batteries as mobile coastal batteries on the Calabrian side of the strait. On 2 August the retreating 22nd Flak Brigade of the Luftwaffe arrived in Messina and took command of all Axis air-defense units.

Maritime Military Sector Augusta-Syracuse
[edit]
"Lamba Doria" battery 152/50 cannon

The Maritime Military Sector Augusta-Syracuse was responsible for the harbors of Augusta and Syracuse, and the coast between Arenella (206th Coastal Division) to the South and Punta Castelluccio in Agnone Bagni (213th Coastal Division) to the North.[43]

Maritime Military Sector Augusta-Syracuse, in Augusta[32] - Ammiraglio di Divisione Priamo Leonardi
121st Coastal Regiment
CCXLVI Coastal Battalion, in Augusta
CCCLXXXV Coastal Battalion, in Syracuse
DIV Coastal Battalion, between Augusta and Melilli
DXL Coastal Battalion, between Belvedere and Grottone
80th Artillery Battery
5x Blockposts
CCCLXIX Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
I Protection Battalion (Royal Italian Air Force unit at Seaplane Base Syracuse)
1x Royal Italian Navy battalion
5x Anti-paratrooper units
7th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion
[edit]
7th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion[43][44]
60th, and 63rd Coastal CC.NN. companies
Augusta Sector[43][44]
Coastal Artillery Battery "Luigi di Savoia" (2x 203/50 naval guns)
Coastal Artillery Battery "Biagio Assereto" (3x 152/50 and 1x 120/40 naval guns)
Coastal Artillery Battery "Bozzo Gravina"(3x 152/50 and 1x 120/40 naval guns)
Floating Battery "GM 216" (2x 190/45 naval guns, 2x 20/70 anti-aircraft guns)
Floating battery "GM 239"(2x 149/47 and 1x 76/40 naval guns, 2x 20/70 anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 269" (6x 102/35 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 360" (6x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 361" (6x 102/35 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 362" (6x 102/35 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 363" (6x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "AS 364" (6x 76/40 anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 383" (6x 102/35 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "AS 416" (6x 76/40 anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 561" (6x 102/35 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "AS 592" (6x 102/35 anti-aircraft guns)
Anti-aircraft Battery "AS 674" (6x 76/40 anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 741" (6x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 896" (6x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Autonomous Group "Siracusa", in Syracuse[43][44]
Coastal Artillery Battery "Opera A" (2x 381/40 naval guns)
Coastal Artillery Battery "Emanuele Russo"(3x 152/50 and 1x 120/40 naval guns)
Coastal Artillery Battery "Lamba Doria"(3x 152/50 and 1x 120/40 naval guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 309" (6x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 365" (6x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 493" (6x 102/35 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 671" (6x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Dual-role Battery "AS 909" (6x 76/40 naval/anti-aircraft guns)
Maritime Military Sector Trapani
[edit]
Maritime Military Sector Trapani, in Trapani[32] - Rear Admiral Giuseppe Manfredi
137th Coastal Regiment
CDXLIII Coastal Battalion
DV Coastal Battalion
DCCCXLIV Coastal Battalion
CCCLXXIV Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
8th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion
9x Anti-ship artillery batteries (Royal Italian Navy)
76th, 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 81st, and 82nd Coastal CC.NN. companies
Anti-aircraft Command Group Trapani:
3x Anti-aircraft batteries (102/35 anti-aircraft guns; Royal Italian Navy)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; Royal Italian Navy)
5x Anti-aircraft batteries (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; Royal Italian Navy)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (102/35 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
3x Anti-aircraft batteries (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
Armored Trains
[edit]

The Royal Italian Navy fielded 14 armored trains, which were equipped with naval guns that had been removed from decommissioned ships. Ten of the trains were assigned to the Armed Forces Command Sicily before the allied landings, with eight trains being transferred to Sicily and two based on the Italian mainland near Reggio Calabria to provide fire for the defense of the Strait of Messina. The ten trains of the Armed Forces Command Sicily on 10 July 1943 were:[45]

Type 1 Operational Train (4x 120/45 Mod. 1918 naval guns, 4x 20/77 anti-aircraft guns)
Armored Train 120/1/S, in Siderno (attached to the 211th Coastal Division in Calabria)
Armored Train 120/3/S, in Porto Empedocle (attached to the 207th Coastal Division)
Armored Train 120/4/S, in Catania (attached to the 213th Coastal Division)
Type 2 Operational Train (4x 152/40 naval guns, 4x 20/77 anti-aircraft guns)
Armored Train 152/1/T, in Termini Imerese (attached to the 208th Coastal Division)
Armored Train 152/2/T, in Carini (attached to the 208th Coastal Division)
Armored Train 152/3/T, in Crotone (attached to the 212th Coastal Division in Calabria)
Type 3 Operational Train (6x 76/40 Mod. 1916 naval guns, 4x 20/77 anti-aircraft guns)
Armored Train 76/1/T, in Porto Empedocle (attached to the 207th Coastal Division)
Type 3-bis Operational Train (4x 76/40 Mod. 1916 naval guns, 4x 20/77 anti-aircraft guns)
Armored Train 76/2/T, in Licata (attached to the 207th Coastal Division)
Armored Train 76/3/T, in Mazara del Vallo (attached to the 202nd Coastal Division)
Type 4 Operational Train (6x 102/35 Mod. 1914 naval guns, 4x 20/77 anti-aircraft guns)
Armored Train 102/1/T, in Syracuse (attached to the 206th Coastal Division)

The ten armored trains did not take part in any combat operation after the allied landings in Sicily, as the allies' absolute air supremacy prevent the trains from leaving their camouflaged shelters. The eight trains based in Sicily were blown up by their crews during the retreat from the island.[45]

Air Force Command Sicily

[edit]

Airfields in Sicily were under command of the Royal Italian Air Force's Air Force Command Sicily, which fell under Armed Forces Command Sicily. The commanding officer was Generale di divisione aerea Adriano Monti.

Each airfield was garrisoned by two infantry companies, reinforced by two mortar squads with 81mm Mod. 35 mortars, and two artillery batteries with 149/12 howitzers.[32]

The airfields and units under command of Air Force Command Sicily on 10 July 1943, and the reinforcements, which arrived in Sicily on 10 and 11 July 1943, were:

Augusta Airfield
8th Naval Reconnaissance Squadron (Z.506 Airone and RS.14 float planes)
170th and 186th flights (197th Flight detached to Stagnone Airfield)
Castelvetrano Airfield
16th Fighter Squadron (C.202 Folgore fighters)
167th, 168th, and 169th flights
Staff Schlachtgeschwader 2
I/Schlachtgeschwader 2, at Milis Airfield in Sardinia (Fw 190 F-2 fighters)
II/Schlachtgeschwader 2 (Fw 190 F-2 fighters)
Chinisia Airfield
21st Fighter Squadron (C.202 Folgore fighters)
356th, 361st, and 386th flights
155th Fighter Squadron (C.205 Veltro fighters; arrived from Monserrato Airfield)
351st and 360th flights (378th Flight remained at Monserrato)
Comiso Airfield
3rd Fighter Squadron (Bf.109G fighters)
153rd, 154th, and 155th flights
Staff Jagdgeschwader 53
I/Jagdgeschwader 53, at Vibo Valentia Airfield (Bf-109 G6 fighters)
II/Jagdgeschwader 53, at Gerbini Airfield (Bf-109 G6 fighters)
III/Jagdgeschwader 53, at Sigonella Airfield (Bf-109 G6 fighters)
II/Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 Ju-88C6
III/Schnellkampfgeschwader 10, at Comiso Airfield (Fw 190 A-5 fighters)
Gerbini Airfield
131st Torpedo-Bomber Squadron (SM.79 Sparviero torpedo-bombers)
279th and 284th flights
Staff Schnellkampfgeschwader 10
II/Schnellkampfgeschwader 10 (Fw 190 A-5 fighters)
III/Schnellkampfgeschwader 10, at Comiso Airfield (Fw 190 A-5 fighters)
IV/Schnellkampfgeschwader 10 (Fw 190 A-5 fighters)
II/Jagdgeschwader 53 (Bf-109 G6 fighters)
Palermo-Boccadifalco Airfield
66th Reconnaissance Squadron (Ca.311, Ca.313, and Ca.314 reconnaissance/attack planes)
131st Flight (87th Flight detached to Sigonella Airfield)
153rd Fighter Squadron (C.202 Folgore fighters)
372nd, 373rd, 374th, and 377th flights
46th Assault Squadron (CR.42 Falco fighters; arrived from Capoterra Airfield)
20th Flight
47th Assault Squadron (CR.42 Falco fighters; arrived from Oristano Airfield)
53rd Flight
207th Flight/ 103rd Dive-Bomber Squadron (Ju.87D Stuka dive bombers; arrived from Decimomannu Airfield)
Elements of the 3rd Fighter Wing with C.202 Folgore fighter arrived from Cerveteri Airfield near Rome on 11 July
Reggio Calabria Airfield (located just over the Messina Strait on mainland Italy)
161st Fighter Squadron (C.200 Saetta, Dewoitine D.520, and C.202 Folgore fighters)
162nd, 164th, and 371st flights
Stagnone Airfield
197th Flight/ 8th Naval Reconnaissance Squadron
Sciacca Airfield
150th Fighter Squadron (Bf.109G fighters)
363rd, 364th, and 365th flights
Staff Jagdgeschwader 77
I/Jagdgeschwader 77 (Bf-109 G6 fighters)
2.(F)/Aufklärungsgruppe 122 (Ju 88 A and Me 410 Hornisse planes)
Catania-Sigonella Airfield
4th Fighter Wing
9th Fighter Squadron (C.202 Folgore and C.205 Veltro fighters)
73rd, 96th, and 97th flights
10th Fighter Squadron (C.202 Folgore and C.205 Veltro fighters)
84th, 90th, and 91st flights
22nd Fighter Squadron (Re.2001 Falco II and Re.2005 Sagittario fighters; arrived from Naples-Capodichino Airfield)
362nd and 369th flights
87th Flight/ 66th Reconnaissance Squadron
III/Jagdgeschwader 53 (Bf-109 G6 fighters)

Airfields without flying units:

Finocchiara Airfield
Milazzo Airfield
Milo Airfield
3rd Air Fleet
[edit]

Bombers and torpedo-bombers of 3rd Air Fleet entered combat in support of Air Force Command Sicily starting from 10 July 1943.

3rd Air Fleet
Bomber Group, at Perugia Airfield
28th Bomber Squadron, at Perugia Airfield (Z.1007 Alcione bombers)
10th and 19th flights
29th Bomber Squadron, at Viterbo Airfield (Ju 88 A bombers)
62nd and 63rd flights
51st Bomber Squadron, at Viterbo Airfield (Ju 88 A Alcione bombers)
212th and 213th flights
86th Bomber Squadron, at Perugia Airfield (Z.1007 Alcione bombers)
190th and 191st flights
88th Bomber Squadron, at Perugia Airfield (Z.1007 Alcione bombers)
264th and 265th flights
106th Bomber Squadron, at Perugia Airfield (Z.1007 Alcione bombers)
260th and 261st flights
Torpedo-Bomber Group
41st Torpedo-Bomber Squadron, at Siena Airfield (SM.79 Sparviero Sparviero torpedo-bombers)
204th and 205th flights
89th Torpedo-Bomber Squadron, at Siena Airfield (SM.79 Sparviero torpedo-bombers)
228th and 229th flights
104th Torpedo-Bomber Squadron, at Siena Airfield (SM.79 Sparviero torpedo-bombers)
252nd and 253rd flights
108th Torpedo-Bomber Squadron, at Pisa Airfield (SM.79 Sparviero torpedo-bombers)
256th and 257th flights
130th Torpedo-Bomber Squadron, at Littoria Airfield (SM.79 Sparviero torpedo-bombers)
280th and 283rd flights
132nd Torpedo-Bomber Squadron, at Littoria Airfield (SM.79 Sparviero torpedo-bombers)
278th and 281st flights
274th Long Range Bomber Flight, at Guidonia Airfield (P.108 heavy bombers)
4th Air Fleet
[edit]

Aircraft of the 4th Air Fleet based in Southern Italy entered combat in support of Air Force Command Sicily from 10 July 1943. At the same date reinforcements from other air fleets began to arrive in Southern Italy to reinforce 4th Air Fleet.

Crotone Airfield
97th Interceptor Squadron (Ro.57 fighters)
226th and 227th flights
102nd Dive-Bomber Squadron (Re.2002 Ariete fighter-bombers; arrived from Tarquinia Airfield)
209th and 239th flights
158th Assault Squadron (G.50 Freccia fighters; arrived from Osoppo Airfield)
elements of 236th, 387th, and 388th flights
159th Assault Squadron (G.50 Freccia fighters; arrived from Pistoia Airfield)
389th, 390th, and 391st flights
Gioia del Colle Airfield
98th Bomber Squadron (SM.84 bombers; arrived from Lonate Pozzolo Airfield)
240th and 241st flights
121st Dive-Bomber Squadron (Ju.87D Stuka dive bombers; arrived from Lonate Pozzolo Airfield)
206th and 216th flights
237th Flight/ 103rd Dive-Bomber Squadron (Ju.87D Stuka dive bombers; arrived from Decimomannu Airfield)
Grottaglie Airfield
157th Fighter Squadron (C.200 Saetta fighters)
163rd, 357th, 371st, and 384th flights
Lecce Airfield
IV/Jagdgeschwader 4, (Bf-109 G6)
Manduria Airfield
8th Bomber Wing
27th Bomber Squadron (Z.1007 Alcione bombers)
18th and 52nd flights
101st Dive-Bomber Squadron (Re.2002 Ariete fighter-bombers; arrived from Lonate Pozzolo Airfield)
208th and 238th flights
Montecorvino Airfield
II/Zerstörer-Geschwader 1 (Me-110 G2)
Vibo Valentia Airfield
I/Jagdgeschwader 53, (Bf-109 G6)
II/Jagdgeschwader 27, (Bf-10 9G6)

Territorial Anti-aircraft Defense

[edit]

The Territorial Anti-aircraft Defense (Italian: Milizia per la Difesa Contraerea Territoriale - MDICAT) was an organization of the Italian National Fascist Party's Voluntary Militia for National Security tasked with static air-defense of cities and installations. The MDICAT was organized in 22 legions, which commanded all ground-based air-defense units, including Royal Italian Army and Royal Italian Navy units, in their sector. The territorial anti-aircraft defense unit responsible for Sicily was the 22nd Territorial CC.NN. Anti-aircraft Legion. The list below gives an overview of the 22nd Legion's batteries sorted by cities with the respective services army (RA), navy (RN), and militia (CC.NN.) listed.

The anti-aircraft batteries in Messina, Reggio Calabria, Augusta, and Trapani were detached to the Royal Italian Navy's maritime military commands in these cities.

Territorial Anti-aircraft Defense - 22nd Territorial CC.NN. Anti-aircraft Legion, in Palermo
Ionia
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
Gerbini Airfield
1x Anti-aircraft battery (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
Catania
460th Anti-aircraft Battery (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
483rd Anti-aircraft Battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; RN)
813th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (75/46 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
5x Anti-aircraft batteries (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
6x Anti-aircraft batteries (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
San Pietro Clarenza
XXXI Anti-aircraft Group
18th and 19th Anti-aircraft batteries (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
232nd and 827th Anti-aircraft batteries (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
Gela
22nd Anti-aircraft Battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
23rd Anti-aircraft Battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
93rd Anti-aircraft Battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
333rd Anti-aircraft Battery (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
334th Anti-aircraft Battery (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
523rd Anti-aircraft Battery (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
796th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
Licata
675th Anti-aircraft Battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; RN)
791st Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
Porto Empedocle
LXXVII Anti-aircraft Group
644th, 645th, 646th, and 669th batteries (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; RN)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
Sciacca
816th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
3x Anti-aircraft batteries (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
Castelvetrano
LXXXIII Anti-aircraft Group, at Castelvetrano
629th and 653rd Anti-aircraft batteries (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
795th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
XC Anti-aircraft Group, at Castelvetrano Airfield
668th and 676th Anti-aircraft batteries (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
814th Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
3x Anti-aircraft batteries (75/27 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
4x Anti-aircraft batteries (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (75/46 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
Marsala
476th Anti-aircraft Battery (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
Chinisia Airfield
LIX Anti-aircraft Group
31st Anti-aircraft Battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
3x Anti-aircraft batteries (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
Palermo
411th Anti-aircraft Battery (102/35 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
414th Anti-aircraft Battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
415th Anti-aircraft Battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
418th Anti-aircraft Battery (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
630th Anti-aircraft Battery (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
733rd Anti-aircraft Battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (102/35 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
6x Anti-aircraft batteries (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
5x Anti-aircraft batteries (76/40 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
4x Anti-aircraft batteries (37/54 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
3x Anti-aircraft batteries (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
Termini Imerese
468th Anti-aircraft Battery (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
3x Anti-aircraft batteries (90/53 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
Milazzo
1x Anti-aircraft battery (75/46 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)
2x Anti-aircraft batteries (75/27 anti-aircraft guns; RA)
1x Anti-aircraft battery (20/65 anti-aircraft guns; CC.NN.)

There were also single CC.NN. batteries at Portopalo di Capo Passero, Motta Sant'Anastasia, Vizzini, Pozzallo, Vittoria, Punta Secca, and Costa Raia, and two batteries at Cassibile and two at Lercara Friddi. The Royal Italian Army had single batteries at Pachino, Acireale, Ragusa, and Roccapalumba.

Other batteries deployed in Sicily in July 1943, whose location on the island is unknown, are listed below:

20/65 anti-aircraft guns:
59th, 284th, 792nd, 793rd, 815th, 837th, and 1506th batteries
75/27 anti-aircraft guns:
8th, 29th, 133rd, 331st, and 452nd batteries
75/46 anti-aircraft guns:
524th Battery
76/40 anti-aircraft guns:
625th and 648th batteries
8.8 cm Flak anti-aircraft guns:
1399th, 1405th, 1408th, 1415th, 1418th, and 1429th batteries
Batteries with unknown equipment:
342nd, 345th, 413th, 417th, 504th, 650th, 908th batteries

Voluntary Militia for National Security

[edit]

The Voluntary Militia for National Security (Italian: Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale - MVSN) was the Italian National Fascist Party's paramilitary wing. The MVSN had police functions and provided the regime with readily available paramilitary units for internal oppression. During WWII the MVSN raised military units, which were operationally assigned to Royal Italian Army or Royal Italian Navy commands. The MVSN's command authority in Sicily was the 14th Zone and its legions, the units they raised for the defense of Sicily, and the commands these units were assigned to are listed below.

14th Zone, in Palermo
166th CC.NN. Legion "Peloro", in Messina (29th Infantry Division "Piemonte")
CLXVI (1939) (29th Infantry Division "Piemonte")
DLXVI Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion (Maritime Military Base Messina-Reggio Calabria)
50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 54th, and 55th Coastal CC.NN. companies (6th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion)
167th CC.NN. Legion "Etna", in Catania
CLXVII (1939) (166th CC.NN. Legion "Peloro"/ 29th Infantry Division "Piemonte")
DLXVII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion (26th Military Zone)
168th CC.NN. Legion "Hyblae", in Ragusa
CLXVIII CC.NN. Battalion (171st CC.NN. Legion "Vespri"/ 28th Infantry Division "Aosta")
CCCLXVIII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion (25th Military Zone)
58th and 59th Coastal CC.NN. companies (25th Military Zone)
169th CC.NN. Legion "Tirreno", in Syracuse
CLXIX CC.NN. Battalion (173rd CC.NN. Legion "Salso"/ 54th Infantry Division "Napoli")
CCCLXIX Territorial CC.NN. Battalion (Maritime Military Sector Augusta-Syracuse)
60th and 63rd Coastal CC.NN. companies (7th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion)
170th CC.NN. Legion "Agrigentum", in Agrigento
CCCLXX Territorial CC.NN. Battalion (25th Military Zone)
67th and 68th Coastal CC.NN. companies (25th Military Zone)
171st CC.NN. Legion "Vespri", in Palermo (28th Infantry Division "Aosta")
CLXXI CC.NN. Battalion (28th Infantry Division "Aosta")
CCCLXXI Territorial CC.NN. Battalion (25th Military Zone)
172nd CC.NN. Legion "Enna", in Enna
CCCLXXII Territorial CC.NN. Battalion (25th Military Zone)
72nd, 73rd, and 74th Coastal CC.NN. companies (25th Military Zone)
173rd CC.NN. Legion "Salso", in Caltanissetta (54th Infantry Division "Napoli")
CLXXIII CC.NN. Battalion (54th Infantry Division "Napoli")
CCCLXXIII Territorial CC.NN. Battalion (26th Military Zone)
75th Coastal CC.NN. Company (26th Military Zone)
174th CC.NN. Legion "Segesta", in Trapani
CCCLXXIV Coastal CC.NN. Battalion (Maritime Military Sector Trapani)
76th and 82nd Coastal CC.NN. companies (Maritime Military Sector Trapani)

Messina Evacuation

[edit]

During Operation Lehrgang - the Axis evacuation from Sicily - the German evacuation efforts were under command of Seetransportführer Messina (Sea-transport-leader Messina) Kapitän zur See Gustav Freiherr von Liebenstein, while the Italian evacuation was organized by Ammiraglio di Squadra Pietro Barone. The Italians pressed every possible ship into service and used four evacuation routes across the Strait of Messina, while the Germans had brought three landing flotillas to Messina for the evacuation.

2. Landungs-Division - Seetransportführer Messina - Kapitän zur See Gustav Freiherr von Liebenstein
2. Landungs-Flottille (2nd Landing Flotilla)
29x Marinefährprahm and other boats; Marinefährprahms F 147, F 466, F 146, F 432, F 460, F 546, F 434, F 618, and F 435 were lost during the evacuation of Sicily
4. Landungs-Flottille (4th Landing Flotilla)
31x Marinefährprahm and 12 other boats; Marinefährprahms F 466, F 432, F 460, F 430, F 429, F 462, F 607, and F 437 were lost during the evacuation of Sicily
10. Landungs-Flottille (10th Landing Flotilla)
9x Siebel ferries and infantry transport boats
Pionier-Landungs-Bataillon 771 (771st Engineer Landing Battalion; Army Unit)
6x Marinefährprahm, 14x landing boats, 465 meter of landing bridges, and a number of Storm boats

See also

[edit]
Operation Husky

Notes

[edit]
Footnotes
  1. ^ Activities in support of Special Operations Executive
  2. ^ On 17 July Guzzoni delegated tactical command to Hube of any areas containing German troops. On 30 July Guzzoni gave Hube command of the whole front[29]
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Niehorster, Leo. "World War II Armed Forces — Orders of Battle and Organizations". Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  2. ^ Molony, p. 108.
  3. ^ Richard A. Rinaldi, Royal Engineers, World War II at Orbat.com Archived 2014-12-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Molony, p. 81n.
  5. ^ Molony, p. 177n
  6. ^ Molony, p. 102n
  7. ^ Molony, p. 152n
  8. ^ Molony, p. 79n.
  9. ^ Molony, p. 95n.
  10. ^ Molony, p. 94n.
  11. ^ a b Molony, p. 117n
  12. ^ a b Molony, p. 115n.
  13. ^ Molony, p. 82n.
  14. ^ Molony, p. 234n.
  15. ^ Gilchrist, R T. Malta Strikes Back. Naval & Military. p. 5. ISBN 9781783314515. {{cite book}}: Missing pipe in: |author-link= (help)
  16. ^ "World War II War Diaries, 1941-1945, JOSS Operation Plan No. 118-43". Fold3. June 20, 1943. pp. 9–11. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  17. ^ "World War II War Diaries, 1941-1945, JOSS Operation Plan No. 109-43". Fold3. June 20, 1943. p. 612. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  18. ^ Craven, Wesley F. and James L. Cate. The Army Air Forces in World War II, Volume 2, Chicago, Illinois: Chicago University Press, 1949 (Reprinted 1983, ISBN 0-912799-03-X).
  19. ^ Richards, D. and H. Saunders, The Royal Air Force 1939-1945 (Volume 2, HMSO, 1953).
  20. ^ Howe, George F., Northwest Africa: Seizing the Initiative in the West, Center of Military History, Washington, DC., 1991.
  21. ^ Army Air Forces Historical Office Headquarters, Participation of the Ninth & Twelfth Air Forces in the Sicilian Campaign, Army Air Forces Historical Study No. 37, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 1945.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Secret Document 161, Location of units in the Royal Air Force, 34th issue, July 1943, Royal Air Force Museum accession number PR02859.
  23. ^ No. 242 Group was originally a part of the Northwest African Tactical Air Force but which was later[when?] transferred to NACAF
  24. ^ Participation of the Ninth & Twelfth Air Forces in the Sicilian Campaign, Army Air Forces Historical Study No. 37, Army Air Forces Historical Office Headquarters, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 1945
  25. ^ Maurer, Maurer, Air Force Combat Units Of World War II Office of Air Force History, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 1983.
  26. ^ a b Participation of the Ninth & Twelfth Air Forces in the Sicilian Campaign, Army Air Forces Historical Study No. 37, Army Air Forces Historical Office Headquarters Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 1945.
  27. ^ a b Maurer, Maurer, Air Force Combat Units Of World War II, Office of Air Force History Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 1983
  28. ^ a b Secret Document 161, Location of units in the Royal Air Force, 34th issue, July 1943, Royal Air Force Museum accession number PR02859.
  29. ^ Molony, p. 44.
  30. ^ Parri, Maurizio (2009). Tracce di Cingolo - Storia dei Carristi 1917-2009. Rome. pp. 123–127.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  31. ^ a b Carità, Calogero. "Le forze contrapposte alla viglia dello sbarco alleato in Sicilia". Associazione Memento Sicilia. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Crescenzi, Andrea (2009). Fondo M-9 - Serie Sicilia (PDF). Rome: Stato Maggiore della Difesa - Ufficio Storico. pp. 18–20. ISBN 9788898185375. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  33. ^ a b Faldella, Emilio (1956). Lo sbarco e la difesa della Sicilia.
  34. ^ Molony, p. 43.
  35. ^ a b Molony, pp. 43-45.
  36. ^ Molony, p. 93.
  37. ^ Molony, p. 45.
  38. ^ a b c d "Cronistoria dei reparti costieri". S.M.R.E. Uff. Ordinamento e Mobilitazione. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Comando Marittimo Sicilia". Italian Navy. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  40. ^ a b Donato, Armando. "La Piazza Marittima di Messina 1939-1943" (PDF). Societa Italiana Storia Militare. pp. 5–7. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  41. ^ Donato, Armando. "Messina: La batteria costiera Margottini". Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  42. ^ Donato, Armando. "La Piazza Marittima di Messina 1939-1943" (PDF). Societa Italiana Storia Militare. p. 20. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  43. ^ a b c d Zaloga, Steven J. (20 January 2013). Sicily 1943: The debut of Allied joint operations. Osprey Publishing. p. 66. ISBN 9781780961279. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  44. ^ a b c di Rosa, Roberto (1996). La Torre Martello di Magnisi. Rome: Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico. p. 362. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  45. ^ a b "Treni Armati della Marina". Italian Navy. Retrieved 7 October 2021.


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