Gela Beaches

The words

1. Air Cover

   Allied fighters patrolled over the beaches and shipping to protect the landings from enemy aircraft. This differed from close support for soldiers fighting on the ground.

   Air cover and support, pp. 450–452 · Air Force history: conquest of Sicily (opens a new tab)

2. Air Power

   Fighter-bombers attacked roads leading toward the landing areas to disrupt Axis movements. These missions supported the beachhead even when aircraft were unavailable for close attacks beside American troops.

   Attacks on inland movements, pp. 452–453 · Air Force history: conquest of Sicily (opens a new tab)

3. Artillery

   The 32nd Field Artillery Battalion landed in amphibious trucks. Its guns fired from positions near the dunes at approaching German tanks.

   Ch. VIII, defense near the dunes · Army history: the Axis counterattacks (opens a new tab)

4. Beaches

   Heavy surf, soft sand and a damaged pier slowed unloading at Gela. Some tanks became stuck in the dunes as troops ashore faced counterattacks.

   Did you know?

   Floating pontoon causeways connected the landing ships with the shore, allowing vehicles and equipment to be unloaded.

   Navy ship history: USS Savannah (opens a new tab) · Army history: the first day in Sicily (opens a new tab)

5. Boise

   USS Boise and USS Savannah fired on shore batteries before the first assault wave landed. Boise later helped repel counterattacks against the beachhead.

   Gela, opening bombardment and counterattacks · Navy ship history: USS Savannah (opens a new tab)

6. Casualties

   Wounded men needed treatment beyond the beaches. A Navy photograph dated July 13, 1943, records American wounded and German prisoners being taken aboard USS Boise off Gela.

   Photograph caption, 80-G-74837 · Navy record: treatment aboard USS Boise (opens a new tab)

7. Conrath

   Generalmajor (brigadier general) Paul Conrath commanded the Hermann Göring Division. This German formation was positioned to oppose the American landings near Gela.

   Navy ship history: USS Savannah (opens a new tab) · Fisher, Cassino to the Alps, ranks table (opens a new tab)

8. Defenders

   German and Italian defenders tried to regain ground lost in the landings. Their troops counterattacked toward Gela while Axis aircraft struck ships offshore.

   Gela, Axis air and ground attacks · Navy ship history: USS Savannah (opens a new tab)

9. Gela

   Rangers and combat engineers held Gela against Italian infantry on July 11, 1943. Field artillery, mortars and naval guns supported them.

   Ch. VIII, attacks on Gela · Army history: the Axis counterattacks (opens a new tab)

10. Infantry

    The American 1st Division bore the heaviest German attack near Gela on July 11, 1943. Hard fighting stopped that attack and another major effort the next day.

    Counterattacks, pp. 452–453 · Air Force history: conquest of Sicily (opens a new tab)

11. Livorno

    Italy’s Livorno Division attacked toward Gela. Its infantry suffered heavy casualties as Rangers, field artillery and naval guns stopped the advance.

    Ch. VIII, Italian counterattacks · Army history: the Axis counterattacks (opens a new tab)

12. Naval Gunfire

    Rangers and infantry directed warship fire against the counterattacks. As American tanks joined the battle, ships had to distinguish them from enemy armor before shooting.

    Gela, fire support and identification · Navy ship history: USS Savannah (opens a new tab)

13. Piano Lupo

    The 16th Infantry held Piano Lupo’s road junction despite German tanks entering its lines. This position guarded the route inland from the beaches.

    Ch. VIII, fighting at Piano Lupo · Army history: the Axis counterattacks (opens a new tab)

14. Ponte Olivo

    German tanks advanced from Ponte Olivo airfield down Highway 117. Their plan was to join another armored force near Piano Lupo.

    Ch. VIII, German attack plan · Army history: the Axis counterattacks (opens a new tab)

15. Savannah

    USS Savannah fired on batteries threatening the landing craft and later engaged tanks near Gela. German fighters shot down its spotting aircraft, killing a pilot.

    Gela, fire support and spotter losses · Navy ship history: USS Savannah (opens a new tab)