Sicily Battle May 16-18, 2008
"The Race to Messina", Sicilian Campaign - 1943

Sponsored by: 3rd Infantry Division & 2nd Allied Corps

Event Coordinantor Bob Lommasaro
Official Battle Flyer

RPS code of conduct will be strictly enforced!.

Historical backround

The Allied invasion of Sicily (map) began on the night of July 9th, 1943 and was codenamed Operation Husky which launched the Italian Campaign. It was the largest amphibious warfare operation of World War II in terms of men landed on the beaches and of frontage.

British General Harold Alexander ordered a two-pronged attack on Messina on July 24th, by General Patton and the Seventh U.S. Army in the north and General Montgomery and the famous 8th British Army in the east to do so.

The Axis, now effectively under the command of German General Hans Hube, had prepared a strong defensive line called the "Etna Line" around Messina, which would enable them to make a progressive retreat while evacuating large parts of the army to the mainland.

Our battle is centered around that two pronged Allied assault to Messina and prevent the Germans from escaping to Italian mainland. This event represents the first of its kind on the west coast and will feature a large scale maneuver of Allied and Axis units under a centralized command. The final outcome of the battle will be determined by the skill of our commanders and the tenacity of our soldiers.

Can the Axis Armies escape to fight another day as they did in 1943? Sign up, fall in and find out!

Bob