August 1943

Sicily

Early in the morning the 157th RCT lands at Bivio Salica, 25 miles west of Messina. But, Truscott and Bradley had been right. The spearhead of the 3rd Infantry was now on the Milazzo plain, 15 miles west of Messina. The landing had taken place behind American lines.

400 men of British 2nd Commando, reinforced with engineers, artillery, and a squadron of tanks from 4th Armored Brigade, come ashore 3 miles north of Cape d'Ali, 16 miles north of Taormina and only 10 miles south of Messina. The Commandos are soon brought under fire by the elements of the Hermann Göring Divisiion, who remain between them and Messina. Further advance is blocked by demolitions.

During the evening the last of the Hermann Göring Division with their attached paratroopers leave Sicily leaving a single tank detachment assigned to rear of the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division. Once on mainland they follow the 15th Panzer Grenadier Division north where they join the headquarters of the XIV Panzer Corps, in the Salerno-Naples area. The 29th Panzer Grenadier, the 1st Parachute, and Group Baade remain behind in Calabria, as part of Lt-Gen Traugott Herr's LXXVI Panzer Corps.

Meanwhile leading elements of US 3rd Infantry Division approach Casazza crossroads and the ridgeline on outskirts of Messina. The last of the rearguard, 200 men from the 29th Panzer Grenadier, abandon the Casazza crossroads and head for evacuation points. Shortly afterward, Gen Monacci, commander of Italian army troops at Messina naval base, set off mines and demolished port facilities.