Chapter 7 · Sicily, July 1943
Crazy Things Happen in War
John Lauten was the intelligence officer of the 16th Infantry, the regiment of the 1st Infantry Division that landed at Gela, Sicily, on July 10, 1943. These are the letters he wrote to his wife, Ginny, before and after, and the newspaper story he couldn't tell her.
The Big Picture
By the summer of 1943, the Allies had pushed the Germans and Italians out of North Africa. The next target was Sicily, the island at the toe of Italy's boot. Taking it would open the Mediterranean to Allied shipping and pressure Italy, Germany's partner, to quit the war.
On July 10, American and British troops landed on Sicily's southern and eastern beaches. The next day, German and Italian tanks, Tigers among them, attacked the beaches at Gela. John's regiment took the brunt of it. On July 12, a few miles inland, American paratroopers and German tank crews made a truce at an old villa. John checked the story himself.
The campaign lasted 38 days and ended when the Allies entered Messina on August 17.
The Letters
5 V-Mails · tap one to read and zoom- July 1, 1943
“There will probably be another one of those long waiting spells for you pretty soon.”
North Africa - July 8, 1943
“You'll be able to read all about it in the newspapers.”
At sea, bound for Sicily - July 15, 1943
“According to regulations in effect, I can't write about anything else.”
Sicily, 16th Infantry HQ - July 26, 1943
“Two weeks ago the regiment received the brunt of the heaviest tank attack made in this campaign.”
Sicily, on the move - July 28, 1943
“Parachutists had raised hell with them in the rear.”
Sicily, 12:30 A.M. - August 11, 1943
“I know the story sounds crazy, but crazy things happen in war.”
Associated Press story by Hal Boyle