August 1943

Sicily

The Irish Brigade enters the ruins of Centuripe early in the morning as Col Ludwig Heilmann's 3rd Parachute Regiment retreats across the Salso, tributary of the Simeto. Here the British are 3.5 miles from Adrano. During the night, in the coastal sector the 5th Division opens an attack on a 2-brigade front.

The American attack begins at 3:00am and continues for 9 hours. Even supported by 4 artillery regiments, little progress is made because of careful German preparations. By noon the American attack is spent and Col Ens launches a concentrated counterattack with his 104th Panzer Grenadiers against the 16th Infantry which had unsuccessfully committed to an attack on the southern face of Hill 1034. Only the fire of 6 American artilleryy battalions saves the regiment from being overrun.

Despite the defensive victory of the day, Gen Rodt does not think his position is good with the losses he has incurred. Since they have not yet been given orders to withdraw from the island, Hube sends Rodt the last of his corps reserves to enable him to hold an escape route east of town when the evacuation order does come.

Truscott's 3rd Infantry Division, supported by naval gunfire, has continued their drive toward Messina and approaches the Furiano River in the afternoon. The try a quick attack, but are quickly met with fire from both flanks and are thrown back.