The Italian Campaign during World War II stands as one of the most grueling and protracted struggles of the war, with Canadian forces playing a pivotal role in the Allied efforts to break through the rugged and well-defended terrain of southern Europe. Spanning nearly two years, the Italian Campaign became a critical part of the Allied strategy to weaken the Axis Powers by removing Italy from the war, stretching German forces thin, and diverting attention away from the impending invasion of France. Though often overshadowed by the Normandy landings and the fight on the Western Front, the battles fought in Italy were a brutal and bloody series of engagements that tested the mettle of soldiers from across the Commonwealth, including Canada.
Planning the Campaign: Churchill’s “Soft Underbelly” Strategy
After the victory in North Africa, where the German Afrika Korps was finally defeated, the Allies faced a strategic dilemma: where to attack next. There was tremendous pressure from Joseph Stalin for the Allies to open a second front in France to relieve the Soviet Union from the full brunt of the German military on the Eastern Front. While the U.S. and Great Britain recognized the importance of an invasion of France, Winston Churchill—with his characteristically vivid imagery—advocated for a different approach. Churchill believed that a direct assault across the English Channel in 1943 would be premature and could lead to disaster, potentially prolonging the war by years. Instead, he argued for an invasion of Sicily and subsequently Italy, which he famously referred to as the “soft underbelly” of Europe.
The strategic rationale behind Churchill’s proposal was multifaceted. First, capturing Italy would remove one of the Axis Powers from the war and force Germany to divert precious resources to defend another front. Second, it would secure the Mediterranean as a vital Allied supply route and prevent the Germans from using Italian airfields to launch attacks against Allied shipping. Lastly, a successful invasion could bolster Allied morale and provide valuable experience for the larger, more decisive invasions to come.
By mid-1943, the plan for the invasion of Sicily—codenamed Operation Husky—was in motion. Canadian forces, eager to prove themselves on the battlefield after years of preparation, were assigned a significant role in the campaign. Canadian sailors, airmen, and soldiers all participated in the invasion, and their contribution would only grow as the campaign moved onto the Italian mainland.
The Invasion of Sicily: The First Step
The invasion of Sicily began on July 10, 1943, with a massive amphibious assault involving Canadian, British, and American forces. The 1st Canadian Infantry Division and the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade were among the Allied units tasked with securing the island, fighting alongside General Bernard Montgomery’s Eighth Army. While Sicily was a tough and heavily defended target, the campaign was relatively brief, lasting just over a month. Canadian forces fought their way through tough terrain and fierce German resistance, contributing to the eventual capture of Messina on August 17, 1943.
The capture of Sicily was a significant victory for the Allies. It resulted in the downfall of Benito Mussolini and opened the way for the invasion of Italy itself. More importantly, it signaled to the world that the Allies were on the offensive and that the days of Axis domination in Europe were numbered.
The Italian Campaign: A Grueling Struggle
The Italian Campaign, which followed the successful invasion of Sicily, would be far more grueling and prolonged than anyone anticipated. The Allied forces landed on the mainland of Italy in September 1943, beginning with the Salerno landings (codenamed Operation Avalanche) in the west and the invasion of the toe of Italy in the south. The Canadians, now part of the Allied 15th Army Group under General Harold Alexander, began their long and arduous advance up the Italian peninsula.
Unlike the relatively brief campaign in Sicily, the fighting in Italy was brutal and drawn-out. The terrain, with its rugged mountains and rivers, was ideal for defensive warfare, and the Germans, under the command of Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, made full use of it. The Canadian forces, alongside their British and American allies, found themselves constantly battling not only the enemy but also the elements. Heavy rains turned the battlefields into quagmires of mud, making movement difficult and sapping the soldiers' morale. Progress was slow, and each village, hill, and valley had to be taken through bloody, inch-by-inch fighting.
Canadian Forces in Italy: The Battle of Ortona
One of the most iconic and devastating engagements of the Italian Campaign for Canadian forces was the Battle of Ortona, fought during December 1943. This battle became known as “Little Stalingrad” for its ferocity and the scale of urban combat involved. The 1st Canadian Infantry Division, which had distinguished itself in Sicily, was tasked with capturing the town of Ortona, a key German stronghold on the east coast of Italy.
The fighting in Ortona was brutal and characterized by intense house-to-house combat. The Canadians, facing a well-prepared and determined German defense, had to clear each building one at a time. German paratroopers, highly skilled and fanatically loyal, fought tenaciously to hold their ground. The Canadians developed a tactic known as “mouseholing,” where they would blast through the walls of buildings with explosives to avoid exposure in the streets. Despite the ingenuity and bravery of the Canadian soldiers, the cost was high. More than 1,370 Canadians were killed in the battle, and thousands more were wounded.
The victory at Ortona, however, was a critical step in the Allied advance. It demonstrated the tenacity and effectiveness of Canadian forces in the face of overwhelming odds and fortified the growing reputation of Canadian soldiers as some of the finest fighters in the Allied armies.
The Broader Campaign: The Long Road North
While the capture of Rome in June 1944 marked a significant political and symbolic victory for the Allies, the fighting in Italy was far from over. Canadian forces continued to play a critical role in the advance up the Italian peninsula. The 1st Canadian Corps was heavily involved in the battles around the Gothic Line, a series of German defensive positions in northern Italy that proved to be one of the toughest challenges of the campaign.
The Canadian advance was characterized by relentless attacks against well-fortified German positions. As the Reader’s Digest account described, the fighting was a “ghastly brew of fire” where the Canadians were constantly met with heavy artillery, machine-gun fire, and counterattacks. Yet, despite the difficult conditions, Canadian troops pushed forward, inch by inch, through the hills, farmlands, and rivers of central and northern Italy.
The Canadian involvement in Italy also included several flanking operations, such as the amphibious landings at Anzio, which aimed to break through the German defenses and open the way for a rapid advance toward Rome. While these landings were initially successful, the Germans quickly regrouped and counterattacked, leading to another protracted and bloody battle.
Commanders and Leadership
The leadership of Canadian forces during the Italian Campaign was crucial to their success. Lieutenant-General Harry Crerar, the overall commander of the 1st Canadian Corps, played a key role in guiding Canadian forces through the difficult terrain and tough battles of Italy. Crerar, known for his cautious and methodical approach, worked closely with British and American commanders to ensure that Canadian forces were well-integrated into the broader Allied strategy.
On the ground, Major-General Chris Vokes, who commanded the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, earned a reputation for being a pragmatic and aggressive commander, particularly during the Battle of Ortona. His leadership and the bravery of the Canadian soldiers under his command helped secure key victories in Italy and solidified Canada’s role as a critical player in the Allied war effort.
The Strategic Significance and Aftermath
The Italian Campaign was one of the longest and most grueling campaigns of the entire war. Though overshadowed by the D-Day landings in Normandy, which took place just two days after the capture of Rome, the fighting in Italy had significant strategic implications. It tied down hundreds of thousands of German troops, diverted resources from other theaters, and ensured that the Allies maintained control of the Mediterranean.
For Canada, the Italian Campaign was a defining moment. It showcased the resilience, courage, and effectiveness of Canadian soldiers, who fought through some of the most difficult conditions of the war. The campaign also marked the beginning of a larger Canadian contribution to the war in Europe. After the fall of Rome and the opening of the Western Front, Canadian forces were shifted from Italy to participate in the liberation of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
By the time the Italian Campaign came to an end in May 1945, 92,000 Canadians had served in Italy. Of these, 25,264 were killed or wounded. The cost was high, but the contribution of Canadian forces in Italy was invaluable. They had proven themselves as elite soldiers, capable of overcoming the toughest challenges, and their sacrifices paved the way for the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.
The Italian Campaign was one of the most demanding and grueling parts of the Second World War, and for Canadian forces, it was a defining moment. From the landings in Sicily to the bloody streets of Ortona and the rugged hills of northern Italy, Canadian soldiers, airmen, and sailors played a vital role in the Allied advance. While the campaign is often overshadowed by the dramatic events of D-Day and the liberation of France, it was in Italy that Canadian forces demonstrated their tenacity, bravery, and effectiveness, contributing significantly to the eventual Allied victory in Europe. The lessons learned, the sacrifices made, and the victories won in Italy would remain an essential part of Canada's proud military heritage.
Battle: |
Italy |
Dates |
Campaign: |
Italy |
July 10, 1943 - May 2, 1945 |
War: |
World War II |
1939 - 1945 |
|
Where: |
Italy and Sicily |
Southern front |
North Africa to Italy |
|
|
Opponents |
Belligerents: |
Canada |
Germany |
Britain |
Italy |
United States |
Axis Countries |
India |
|
South Africa |
|
Italy & Resistance |
|
Allies |
|
|
Commanders: |
Dwight D Eisenhower - US |
Henry Maitland - Br |
Harold Alexander - Br |
|
Albert Kesselring - Ger |
Heinrich von Vietinghoff Ger |
Rodoifo Graziani - It |
|
Forces: |
27 Divisions |
29 Divisions |
|
Result: |
Allied Victory |
|
Casualties: |
Casualties - 313,495 |
Causalities - 336,650 |
8,011 Planes |