July 1943

Sicily

Gen Middleton's 45th Division troops finally dislodge Max Ulich's 15th Panzer Grenadier Regiment from its strong positions, fighting was heavy, Tula Rdige becomes known as Bloody Ridge. Other elements of the 45th Division work to Mistretta, 10 miles from San Stefano, and threaten the town from the south. Wanting to slow the Americans down, Gen Walter Fries reinforces Ulich with an infanty battalion from 71st Panzer Grenadier Regiment and 2 battalions of artillery from Col Fritz Polack with instructions to counterattack at dawn.

In early morning darkness, the Malta Brigade is forming to spearhead the Canadian attack when it is hit by a surprise attack. They push on only to run into an ambush. Caught in crossfire, the pull back to their original starting points.

Having recently arrived the British 78th Division, is now in a position to attack and are reinforced by the Canadian 3rd Brigade. They open an assault along axis Catenanuova-Adrano, during the night of the 29th. Brig Penhale's 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade attacks Catenanuova during the night supported by 7 artillery battalions. The defenders are from the 923rd Fortress Battalion, but exit quickly when attacked by the West Nova Scotia Regiment. Because of the rout of the 923rd, Col Conrath commits elements of the 3rd Parachute Regiment north of the town, but a British bridgehead has already been established.

In XIII Corps area, the 5th Division is reinforce by 2 battalions of infantry and a regiment of tanks.