1. WWII
The Italian Campaign

2. After Dieppe, Churchill felt that the best way for the Allies to recapture Europe was through Sicily and Italy.
This region was referred to as “the soft underbelly of Europe.”

4. Allied victories in North Africa made it possible to launch an attack from the south.
The invasion ended up lasting almost two years and cost thousands of lives.
The “soft underbelly” was anything but soft.

5. Map Image Source; Google Images- https://www. google. ca/search

6. Battle of Sicily July 10, 1943, Allies land in Sicily.
Once again Canadians prove to be fierce opponents as they fight Italian and German soldiers through 240 km of mountainous terrain.
Allies capture the island after 38 days; lost 562 soldiers.

7. Battle of Ortona
Allies followed as the Germans retreated to the Italian mainland
Canadians given difficult task of capturing the medieval town of Ortona.
They had to capture several smaller villages, cross rivers, and fight across several kms of German occupied territory.

8. Map source: Google Images : http://www. journal. forces. gc

9. Once they reach Ortona, advances were slow and battles often fought house to house.
Canadians captured the town on Dec , but lost almost soldiers before the Germans withdrew.
After capturing Ortona, Canadians advanced through Italy until they joined other forces in the campaign in France.
Nearly 6000 Canadians were killed in Italy.

10. The Take- Aways…………… Historical Significance of Italian Campaign.
Strategically important: “Soft Underbelly”
In Sicily and particularly Ortona, Canadians proved themselves…again.
Success allowed for continued the advance through Europe.