The first major World War II Allied attempt to gain a stronghold on Axis territory, in July and August of 1943. The armada of 2, 500 mostly British and American ships was the largest assembled to that time. Under the overall command of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Allies secured several beachheads within 48 hours of the initial landing. Control of the island made possible the invasion and conquest of Italy the following month.
See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.
