July 1943

Sicily

The small Italian garrison of the Egadi Islands in Trapani harbor surrenders to Gen Ridgway's airborne troops. During the battle of western Sicily, the US Proivisional Corps captures 189 guns 75mm or larger, 359 vehicles, 45 tanks and thousands of Italian soldiers.

The 45th Division makes limited progress along the north coastal road (Highway 113). The 1st Division, on Highway 120, repels a counterattack east of Gangi.

At dawn Maj Simon's 33rd Motorized Artillery Regiment opens up on the 26th RCT front. Col Bowen's RCT had only occupied Hill 937 with a single platoon, it soon falls back to the west. Lt-Col Fritz Fullriede's men quickly reoccupy the height with a German infantry battalion. Bowen quickly ocunterattacks with two battalions with supported from 6 artillery battalions. Bowen retakes the hill about 2:00pm and by dusk has pushed to Hill 962, 6 miles from Nicosia.

In Britsh 8th Army's XXX Corps area, hard fighting is in progress in Agira sector.