Canadian Landing in Sicily National Historic Event
Pachino, Sicily
Address :
Pachino, Sicily
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
2000-06-16
Other Name(s):
-
Canadian Landing in Sicily
(Designation Name)
Research Report Number:
2000-21
Importance:
Represents Canadians' contribution to the beginning of the liberation of Europe during World War II
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: Pachino
On July 10, 1943, Canadian soldiers landed on the beaches along this coast as part of the first major Allied invasion of Europe in the Second World War. Canadian sailors manned vessels off-shore while Canadian airmen fought in the skies above. Although the initial assault went smoothly, resistance hardened dramatically in the interior. 1st Canadian Infantry Division and 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade battled forward in the harsh summer sun to the foothills of Etna. Thus began Canada's contribution to this chapter of the liberation of Western Europe.