July 1943

Sicily

In the British 8th Army area, Gen Montgomery decides to make his main effort on his left, where assault forces will push around the north side of Mount Etna to take the enemy from the rear. The major assault will begin on 1 August. The XIII Corps and the 51st Division of the XXX Corps go on the defensive. In the XXX Corps area, Leonforte falls to the 1st Canadian Division during the night. The 51st Division falls back under enemy pressure to positions south of Gerbini airfield.

Without direct artillery support the Canadians on the summit of Assoro Mountain are subjected to artillery fire most of the day. Late in the afternoon the Assoro garrison mount a surprise attack, but the Canadians turn it back. More harrassing fire from snipers and artillery and mortar fire continue throughout evening and night.

Early in the morning the Seaforth Highlanders advance to within a mile of Leonforte when encountering machine gun and mortar fire near a severe bend in the road. The Canadians renew their attack in the afternoon but their artillery support falls short and they suffer numerous casualties. Brig Vokes replaces the Seaforths with the Edmonton Regiment. A third attempt to take Leonforte begins at 9:00pm supported by heavy Canadian artillery concentration forcing Germans back into the town. The Edmontons advance up the slope and into the town with support from mortars and machine guns. Fighting inside the town is heavy and fluctuates with parts of the town exchanging hands several times. The Canadians shoot some prisoners which the Germans witness and cause their resistance to stiffen. Col Ens's regiment counterattacks supported by panzers and machine gun fire surrounding many of the Edmontons in the town. Bitter house-to-house fighting ensues as the grenadiers try to wipe out Simonds's assault force.

In US 7th Army's Provision Corps area, Task Force X seizes Castelvetrano and the airport and takes about 400 Italian prisoners who give up without a fight. More that 4000 Italians surrender to the US vanguards this day. Many of the defending units just vanish. The 2nd Armored Division assembles northeat of Castelvetrano prepared to exploit breakthrough, which appears imminent.

In II Corps area, Middleton's 45th Infantry Division continues northwest, taking Valledolmo wiping out Mobile Group A in the process. Most of the 48th Artierry Battalion is now on Highway 121. Tactical Group Schreiber is also destroyed this day. Strong American units outflank the group to the east and launch a surprise attack on the 17th Blackshirt Battalion which is crushed. While Schreiber tries to organize a counterattack, the units of the 45th Division attacks the 3rd Battalion of the 30th Infantry Regiment and quickly surrounds it. They surrender at 8:30pm and at 10:30pm Sherman tanks roll into Alimena. After overwhelming Italian rear guards Patton's spearheads run into the rear of the withdrawing columns of the Aosta and Assietta Divisions. Most escape but several units are wiped out because of no transportation. Destroyed in this fight are the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Artillery Regiment, Aosta's Mortar Battalion, the 2nd Battalion of Aosta's 5th Infantry Regiment, the 2nd and 4th Battalions of Assietta's 25th Artillery Regiment and the 3rd Battalion of the 29th Infantry Regiment of Assietta Division.

The US 1st Infantry Division clears the delaying opposition in Alimena and begins advancing toward Highway 120 after it had destroyed Group Schreiber. The Americans are halted later in the day by a small German combat group which scattered mines and blew up bridges.