Operation Avalanche

Our last instalment noted that the July 1943 Anglo-America invasion of Sicily led to the swift collapse of Italian Fascism. Seventy-three years ago on Friday, September 25, 1943, the Italian Dictator Mussolini was placed under arrest by his own Grand Council.

A new Royalist government under Marshal Badoglio then engaged in secret negotiations to switch Italy from the Axis to the UN camp. It was agreed that Italy’s September 8, 1943 surrender announcement would coincide with major landings by the British 8th Army at Taranto (Operation Slapstick) and the British reinforced American 5th Army at Salerno (Operation Avalanche).

As a diversion, other units of the 8th Army crossed the Strait of Messina, which separates Sicily from the Italian mainland, at Reggio on September 3 (Operation Baytown). Batswana combat and support troops participated in all three of these landings.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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