Operation Husky order of battle


Operation Husky order of battle[De Havilland Mosquito|] is a listing of the significant military and air force units that were involved in the campaign for Sicily, July 10 – August 17, 1943.

Allied forces

Allied Forces Headquarters - Mediterranean
Supreme Commander: General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Allied 15th Army Group

The Allied 15th Army Group was under the command of General Sir Harold Alexander.U.S. 9th Infantry Division
Commanded by Major General Manton S. Eddy.
Commanded by Major General Matthew Ridgway. The independent 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion was held in reserve and it never saw action.
Commanded by Major General H. A. Freeman-Attwood.

U.S. Seventh Army

The U.S. Seventh Army was commanded by Lieutenant General George S. Patton.
The U.S. II Corps was commanded by Lieutenant General Omar Bradley.U.S. 1st Infantry Division
First commanded by Major General Terry Allen He was replaced by Major General Clarence R. Huebner on August 7.
Commanded by Major General Troy H. Middleton.
Commanded by Major General Geoffrey Keyes.U.S. 2nd Armored Division
Commanded by Major General Hugh Joseph Gaffey. Divisional units were placed under the combat commands as needed.
Commanded by Major General Lucian Truscott

British Eighth Army

The British Eighth Army was under the command of General Sir Bernard Montgomery.
The British 46th Infantry Division formed a floating reserve, but it did not participate in the Sicily campaign.
Army Troops
XIII Corps was commanded by Lieutenant-General Miles Dempsey.
Commanded by Major-General Horatio Berney-Ficklin.
Commanded by Major-General Sidney Kirkman.
Commanded by Major-General Vyvyan Evelegh.
Commanded by Major-General George F. Hopkinson. This unit did not participate as a division.
XXX Corps was commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir Oliver Leese.
Commanded by Major-General Guy Simonds.
Commanded by Major-General Douglas Wimberley.
HQ 23rd Armoured Brigade HQ fought as Arrow Force in mid-July with 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders under command together with elements of 50th RTR and 11th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery as well as an Anti-Tank battery and a machine gun company.

Allied Mediterranean Naval Command

The Naval forces were under the command of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham and was divided into several Task Forces.

Covering Force

The role of the covering force was to prevent the Italian Navy from attacking the invasion forces.

Eastern Naval Task Force

Eastern Naval task Force transported the Eastern Task Force and provided Naval gunfire support.

Western Naval Task Force

The Western Naval Task Force transported the Western Task Force and provided Naval gunfire support.
Command by Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt.
The Dime Task Force landed the U. S. Army First Division and attached units near Gela, Sicily.
  • ** Cent Force, Task Force 85, commanded by Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk, USN
The Cent Task Force landed the U. S. Army Forty-fifth Division and attached units near Scoglitti, Sicily.
The Joss Task Force landed the U. S. Third Division and attached units near Licata, Sicily.
  • ** Task Force Organization
  • *** 86.1 Cover and Support Group, Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose, USN
  • **** Cruiser Division 13
  • **** Destroyer Squadron 13
  • **** Nine LCG British - Landing Craft Gun (Large)
  • **** Eight LCF British - Landing Craft, Flak (Large)
  • *** 86.2 Landing Craft Group, Commander L. S. Sabin, USN
  • **** LST Groups Two
  • **** LST Groups Three
  • **** LST Group Six
  • **** LST Division Seven
  • **** LCI Flotilla Two
  • **** LCI Flotilla Four
  • **** LCT Group Thirty one
Less LCTs 80, 207, 208, 214
Plus LCTs 276, 305 311, 332

Allied Air Forces

At the time of Operation Husky, the Allied air forces - the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Forces - in the North African and Mediterranean theatre were organized as the Mediterranean Air Command under the command of Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder. The major subdivisions of the MAC included the Northwest African Air Forces under the command of Lt. General Carl Spaatz with Air Vice Marshal James Robb as his deputy, the American 12th Air Force, the American 9th Air Force under the command of Lt. General Lewis H. Brereton, and units of the British Royal Air Force.
Also supporting the NAAF were the RAF Middle East Command, Air Headquarters Malta, RAF Gibraltar, and the No. 216 (Transfer and Ferry) Group, which were subdivisions of MAC under the command of Tedder. He reported to the Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower for the NAAF operations, but to the British Chiefs of Staff for RAF Command operations. Air Headquarters Malta, under the command of Air Vice-Marshal Sir Keith Park, also supported Operation Husky.
The "Desert Air Task Force" consisting of North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters from the 9th Air Force served under the command of Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham of the Northwest African Tactical Air Force. These bomber and fighter groups moved to new airfields on Sicily as soon as a significant beachhead had been captured there.
In the MAC organization established at the Casablanca Conference in January 1943, the 9th Air Force was assigned as a subdivision of the RAF Middle East Command under the command of Air Chief Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas.

Mediterranean Air Command (Allied)

Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder had his headquarters in Algiers, Algeria.
Northwest African Air Forces
Lt. General Carl Spaatz had his headquarters for the Northwest African Air Forces in Maison-Carrée, Algeria
Northwest African Strategic Air Force
Maj. General James H. Doolittle, in command of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force, had his headquarters in Constantine, Algeria
  • 5th Bombardment Wing
    Northwest African Coastal Air Force
Air Vice-Marshal Sir Hugh Lloyd also had his headquarters in Algiers.
British UnitsAmerican Units
RAF Units
52nd Fighter Group Lt. Colonel James Coward
----
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm UnitsTorpedo Spotter Reconnaissance
81st Fighter Group Lt. Colonel Michael Gordon
----
Oran, Algeria Sector:
92nd Squadron, Bell P-39 Airacobra fighters
1st Air Defense Wing:
91st Squadron, P-39 Airacobras
93rd Squadron, P-39 Airacobras
Bone, Algeria Sector:
350th Fighter Group Lt. Colonel Marvin McNickle
2nd Air Defense Wing:----
No. 153 Squadron, Beaufighters		480th Antisubmarine Group
Colonel Jack Roberts
Notes:
  1. The 1st and 2nd Antisubmarine Squadrons were assigned to NACAF for administration and placed under the operational control of the U.S. Navy Fleet Air Wing 15 of the Moroccan Sea Frontier commanded by Rear Admiral (United States) Frank J. Lowry
  2. Air Ministry was asked to provide two additional Wellington patrol squadrons. Asked? This is supposed to be an accurate historical document. Many things get asked for, but many less get provided.
    Northwest African Tactical Air Force
Air Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham had his headquarters in Hammamet, Tunisia
Air Vice Marshal Harry Broadhurst
Colonel Arthur Salisbury
Colonel Earl Bates
Maj. General Edwin House
Lt. Colonel John Stevenson
Major Clinton True
Colonel William W. Momyer
Colonel William McNown
Lt. Colonel Frank Hill
Air Commodore Laurence Sinclair
Colonel William W. Momyer
Colonel Malcolm Green, Jr.
Lt. Colonel Frank Hill
Colonel Edward Backus
Lt. Colonel Adolph Tokaz
For Operation Husky, No. 242 Group, originally a component of NATAF in February 1943, was assigned to the Northwest African Coastal Air Force. At the same time, Air Headquarters, Western Desert became known as the Desert Air Force. All of the fighter units of Desert Air Force formed No. 211 (Offensive Fighter) Group commanded by Air Commodore Richard Atcherley on April 11, 1943 in Tripoli. The 99th Fighter Squadron was assigned to the XII Air Support Command on May 28, 1943, and later made a part of the 33rd Fighter Group.
Northwest African Troop Carrier Command
United States Paul Williams, in Tunisia
51st Troop Carrier Wing
Brig. General Ray Dunn		52nd Troop Carrier Wing
Colonel Harold Clark		RAF Detachment
60th Troop Carrier Group
Lt. Colonel Frederick Sherwood
----
10th Squadron, C-47 Skytrains
11th Squadron, C-47s
12th Squadron, C-47s
28th Squadron, C-47s		61st Troop Carrier Group
Colonel Willis Mitchell
No. 38 WingAir Commodore William Primrose
62nd Troop Carrier Group Lt. Colonel Aubrey Hurren
----
4th Squadron, C-47 Skytrains
7th Squadron, C-47s
8th Squadron, C-47s
51st Squadron, C-47s		313th Troop Carrier Group
Colonel James Roberts, Jr.
----
29th Squadron, C-47s
47th Squadron, C-47s
48th Squadron, C-47s
49th Squadron, C-47s
64th Troop Carrier Group
Colonel John Cerny
----
16th Squadron, C-47 Skytrains
17th Squadron, C-47s
18th Squadron, C-47s
35th Squadron, C-47s		314th Troop Carrier Group
Colonel Clayton Stiles
----
32nd Squadron, C-47s
50th Squadron, C-47s
61st Squadron, C-47s
62nd Squadron, C-47s
Information in table taken from:
1) Participation of the Ninth and
Twelfth Air Forces in the Sicilian Campaign,
Army Air Forces Historical Study No. 37
Army Air Forces Historical Office Headquarters,
Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 1945.		316th Troop Carrier Group
Colonel Jerome McCauley
----
36th Squadron, C-47 Skytrains
44th Squadron, C-47s
45th Squadron, C-47s		Information in table taken from:
2) Maurer, Maurer, Air Force
Combat Units Of World War II,
Office of Air Force History,
Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 1983.

To help carry out transport and supply operations for Operation Husky, in mid-1943 the American 315th Troop Carrier Group had been flown from England to Tunisia. There it was assigned to the Mediterranean Air Transport Service, and along with NATCC, this was a subdivision of the Mediterranean Air Command.
Northwest African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing
Colonel Elliott Roosevelt had his headquarters at La Marsa, Tunisia
Brig. General Delmar had his headquarters in Dunton, Algiers.
Northwest African Training Command
Brig. General John K. Cannon,
U.S. APO 525
Air Headquarters Malta
Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park, the commander of Air Headquarters Malta, had his headquarters in Valletta, Malta
Mosquito fighter planes
Air Commodore Whitney Straight, Headquarters at Heliopolis, Egypt
Air Vice Marshal Sturley Simpson had his headquarters in Gibraltar
Air Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas
Headquarters at Cairo, Egypt
No. 201 (Naval Co-operation) Group
Air Vice Marshal Thomas Langsford-Sainsbury, Headquarters at Alexandria, Egypt
No Wing assignment: 701 Naval Air Squadron (FAA), Walrus Air-Sea Rescue
Note:
RAF=Royal Air Force; RAAF=Royal Australian Air Force; SAAF=South African Air Force; FAA=Fleet Air Arm ; Det.= "detachment"
Air Headquarters Air Defences Eastern Mediterranean
Air Vice Marshal Richard Saul
No. 209 (Fighter) Group
Group Captain R.C.F. Lister		No. 210 (Fighter) Group
Group Captain John Grandy		No. 212 (Fighter) Group
Air Commodore Archibald Wann		No. 219 (Fighter) Group
Group Captain Max Aitken
No. 46 Squadron RAF Det., BeaufightersNo. 3 Squadron SAAF, HurricanesNo. 7 Squadron SAAF, HurricanesNo. 46 Squadron RAF, Beaufighters
No. 127 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes and SpitfiresNo. 33 Squadron RAF, HurricanesNo. 41 Squadron SAAF, HurricanesNo. 74 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 89 Squadron RAF, BeaufightersNo. 80 Squadron RAF, SpitfiresNo. 238 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 213 Squadron RAF, HurricanesNo. 94 Squadron RAF, HurricanesNo. 335 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 274 Squadron RAF, HurricanesNo. 108 Squadron RAF Det., BeaufightersNo. 336 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 123 Squadron RAF, HurricanesNo. 451 Squadron RAAF, Hurricanes
No. 134 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 237 Squadron RAF, Hurricanes
No. 1563 Met. Flight, Gloster Gladiators
No. 1654 Met. Flight, Gladiators

Notes:
SAAF=South African Air Force; RAAF=Royal Australian Air Forces; Det.=Detached; Met.=Meteorological.
U.S. 9th Air Force
Major General Lewis H. Brereton had his headquarters in Cairo, Egypt

Axis Forces

Comando Supremo
Chief of the General Staff: General Vittorio Ambrosio
Oberbefehlshaber Süd
Commander-in-Chief: General Albert Kesselring

Armed Forces Command Sicily

The Armed Forces Command Sicily based in Enna under Generale d'Armata Alfredo Guzzoni had command of all Axis forces on Sicily.

Italian 6th Army

The Royal Italian Army's 6th Army co-located with Armed Forces Command Sicily in Enna and also commanded by Generale d'Armata Alfredo Guzzoni had command of all Royal Italian Army and German Army units on Sicily.
The German Army Liaison Officer was Generalleutnant Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin6th Army, in Enna - Generale d'Armata Alfredo Guzzoni; Chief of Staff Generale di Brigata Emilio Faldella
The 6th Army fielded more than 100 Anti-paratrooper units of about 30 men each. These units, with the oldest available local reservists, were tasked with searching for allied personnel - paratroopers and pilots - which had parachuted into Sicily behind the frontline.
Italian XII Army Corps
XII Army Corps, in Corleone - Generale di Corpo d'Armata Mario Arisio, from 12 July: Generale di Corpo d'Armata Francesco Zingales - responsible for Sicily to the West of a line from Cefalù to Licata
  • * 12th Army Corps Artillery Grouping
  • ** XIX Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** XXI Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** XXII Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** XLVIII Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** CXXI Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** CXXII Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** 76th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery
  • ** 78th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery
  • * VII Anti-aircraft Artillery Group
  • * CIV Anti-tank Battalion, in Agrigento
  • * CX Motorized Artillery Group
  • * CLI Coastal Artillery Group
  • * CCXXXIII Motorized Artillery Group
  • * I Bersaglieri Anti-tank Battalion, in Corleone
  • * 1x Engineer battalion
  • * 2x Bersaglieri motorcyclist companies
  • * Army Corps Services
    Coastal Troops Command
    Coastal Troops Command - Generale di Divisione Giovanni Marciani
  • * 136th Coastal Regiment - responsible for the coast from the East of Palermo to including Cefalù
  • ** CIII Coastal Battalion
  • ** CDLXV Coastal Battalion
  • * 202nd Coastal Division - Generale di Brigata Gino Ficalbi - responsible for the coast from Mazara del Vallo to Sciacca
  • ** 124th Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCCLXXVI Coastal Battalion
  • *** CCCLXXXVI Coastal Battalion
  • *** DXLIII Coastal Battalion
  • ** 142nd Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCCLXXVII Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXXVII Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDLXVI Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXC Coastal Battalion
  • ** 62nd Coastal Artillery Grouping
  • *** LVI Cannons Group
  • *** LXXVI Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CLXXI Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CLXXII Coastal Artillery Group
  • ** 63rd Coastal Artillery Grouping
  • *** LV Cannons Group
  • *** CXLI Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CXLIII Coastal Artillery Group )
  • *** CLVII Coastal Artillery Group
  • ** CCCIII Coastal Battalion
  • ** CIX Static Machine Gun Battalion
  • ** 151st Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
  • ** 102nd Mortar Company
  • ** Division Services
  • * 207th Coastal Division, in Agrigento - Generale di Brigata Ottorino Schreiber, later Generale di Brigata Augusto De Laurentiis - responsible for the coast from Sciacca to Punta Due Rocche to the East of Licata
  • ** 138th Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCCLXXX Coastal Battalion
  • *** CCCLXXXVIII Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXX Coastal Battalion
  • ** 139th Coastal Regiment, in Licata
  • *** CDXIX Coastal Battalion
  • *** CCCXC Coastal Battalion
  • *** DXXXVIII Coastal Battalion
  • ** 177th Mobile Territorial Bersaglieri Regiment
  • *** DXXV Bersaglieri Battalion
  • *** DXXVI Bersaglieri Battalion
  • *** DXXVII Bersaglieri Battalion
  • *** CIV Anti-tank Battalion
  • *** 1st Motorized Machine Gun Company
  • ** 12th Coastal Artillery Grouping
  • *** XXXV Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CXLV Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CLX Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CCXXII Coastal Artillery Group
  • ** CIV Coastal Battalion
  • ** CV Static Machine Gun Battalion
  • ** 103rd Mortar Company
  • ** Division Services
  • * 208th Coastal Division - Generale di Divisione Giovanni Marciani - Colonel Dal Monte - responsible for the coast from Palermo to Trapani
  • ** 133rd Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCXLIV Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXXIII Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXCVIII Coastal Battalion
  • ** 147th Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCCLXXVIII Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXXXVIII Coastal Battalion
  • *** DXXXIX Coastal Battalion
  • ** 28th Coastal Artillery Grouping
  • *** CXXIV Coastal Artillery Group
  • ** CXII Machine Gun Battalion
  • ** 164th Anti-tank Company
  • ** 101st Mortar Company
  • ** 517th Mortar Company
  • ** Division Services
  • * 230th Coastal Division - Generale di Divisione Egisto Conti - responsible for the coast from the South of Trapani to Mazara del Vallo
  • ** 120th Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCXLV Coastal Battalion
  • *** DCCCLVII Coastal Battalion
  • *** DCCCLXXX Coastal Battalion
  • ** 184th Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCCLXXXVII Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXCVII Coastal Battalion
  • ** 43rd Coastal Artillery Grouping
  • *** VII Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** XX Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** XXII Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CCXVIII Coastal Artillery Group
  • ** 712th Machine Gun Company
  • ** Division Services
  • * XXIX Coastal Brigade - Harbor Defense Command "N", in Palermo - Generale di Divisione Giuseppe Molinero
  • ** CCCIV Coastal Battalion
  • ** CCCXLIV Coastal Battalion
  • ** CDLXXVI Coastal Battalion
  • ** XXX Coastal Group "Cavalleggeri di Palermo"
  • ** I Group/ 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta"/ 26th Infantry Division "Assietta"
  • ** XLI Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** 121st Battery, at Punta la Barbara
  • *** 122nd Battery, at Aspra
  • *** 2x batteries
  • ** 51st Heavy Artillery Battery
    Tactical Groups
Tactical groups were created from corps assets and detached units of the army corps's two infantry divisions. The groups were deployed near the beaches most likely to be used by the allies.Tactical Group "Chiusa Sclafani", in Chiusa Sclafani
  • * 10th Bersaglieri Regiment
  • ** XXXV Bersaglieri Battalion
  • ** LXXIII Bersaglieri Battalion
  • ** LXXIV Bersaglieri Battalion
  • * CIII Motorized Artillery Group
  • * 4th Self-propelled Company
  • * 10th Armored Car Squadron Tactical Group "Alcamo-Partinico", in the area of Alcamo and Partinico
  • * 171st CC.NN. Legion "Vespri"/ 28th Infantry Division "Aosta"
  • ** CLXVIII CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CLXXI CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 171st CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
  • * I Group/ 22nd Artillery Regiment "Aosta" Tactical Group "Inchiapparo-Casale", in the area of Inchiapparo and Casale
  • * LI Bersaglieri Battalion
  • * 82nd Anti-tank Battery Tactical Group "Campobello-Ravanusa", in the area of Campobello di Licata and Ravanusa
  • * I Squadrons Group "Cavalleggeri di Palermo"
  • * XVII CC.NN. Battalion/ 17th CC.NN. Legion "Cremona"/ 26th Infantry Division "Assietta"
  • * 259th Machine Gun Company/ 17th CC.NN. Legion "Cremona"/ 26th Infantry Division "Assietta"
    Mobile Groups
Mobile groups were fully motorized battle groups created from corps assets and detached units of the army corps's two infantry divisions. The groups were deployed near the beaches most likely to be used by the allies.Mobile Group "A", in Paceco - Lieutenant Colonel Renato Perrone
  • * Headquarters Company/ XII Tank Battalion "L"
  • * 1st Company/ CXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 4th Company/ CII Tank Battalion
  • * 3rd Company/ CDXLVIII Motorized Coastal Battalion
  • * 2nd Battery/ CX Motorized Artillery Group
  • * 2nd Section/ 328th Anti-aircraft Battery/ 22nd Artillery Regiment "Aosta" Mobile Group "B", in Santa Ninfa - Lieutenant Colonel Vito Gaetano Mascio
  • * Headquarters Company/ CXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 3rd Company/ CXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 6th Company/ CII Tank Battalion
  • * 1st and 2nd companies/ CDXLVIII Motorized Coastal Battalion
  • * 161st Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
  • * 6th Battery/ CCXXXIII Motorized Artillery Group
  • * 2nd Section/ 10th Anti-aircraft Battery/ 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta" Mobile Group "C", in Portella Misilbesi - Lieutenant Colonel Osvaldo Mazzei
  • * Headquarters Company/ CII Tank Battalion
  • * 2nd Company/ CXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 5th Company/ CII Tank Battalion
  • * 4th Company/ CDXLVIII Motorized Coastal Battalion
  • * 104th Anti-tank company
  • * 10th Battery/ IV Group/ 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta"
  • * 4th Section/ 326th Anti-aircraft Battery/ 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta"
    XII Army Corps Reserve
The 26th Infantry Division "Assietta" had been transferred from its bases and recruiting area in eastern Piedmont to Sicily in August 1941. The division's pre-deployment headquarters were in Asti, while's its two infantry regiments had been based in Asti and Tortona, with the division's artillery regiment also based at Asti.26th Infantry Division "Assietta" - Generale di Divisione Francesco Scotti, from 26 July: Generale di Brigata Ottorino Schreiber
  • * 29th Infantry Regiment "Assietta"
  • ** 3x Fusilier battalions
  • ** Support Weapons Company
  • ** Mortar Company
  • * 30th Infantry Regiment "Assietta"
  • ** 3x Fusilier battalions
  • ** Support Weapons Company
  • ** Mortar Company
  • * 17th CC.NN. Legion "Cremona"
  • ** XVII CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** XVIII CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 259th CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
  • * 25th Artillery Regiment "Assietta"
  • ** I Artillery Group
  • ** II Artillery Group
  • ** III Artillery Group
  • ** IV Artillery Group
  • ** 10th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 326th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • * XXVI Mortar Battalion
  • * CXXVI Machine Gun Battalion
  • * CCXXXIII Motorized Artillery Group
  • * Mixed Engineer Battalion
  • * 50th Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
  • * 126th Anti-tank Company
  • * Division Services
The 28th Infantry Division "Aosta" was one of three divisions, which recruited in Sicily. It mainly drafted men from western Sicily and had its peacetime headquarters in Palermo. It's two infantry regiments were based in Trapani and Palermo, where also the division's artillery regiment was based.28th Infantry Division "Aosta" - Generale di Divisione Giuseppe Romano
  • * 5th Infantry Regiment "Aosta"
  • ** 3x Fusilier battalions
  • ** Support Weapons Company
  • ** Mortar Company
  • * 6th Infantry Regiment "Aosta"
  • ** 3x Fusilier battalions
  • ** Support Weapons Company
  • ** Mortar Company
  • * 171st CC.NN. Legion "Vespri"
  • ** CLXVIII CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CLXXI CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 171st CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
  • * 22nd Artillery Regiment "Aosta"
  • ** I Artillery Group
  • ** II Artillery Group
  • ** III Motorized Group
  • ** IV Artillery Group
  • ** 328th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 365th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • * XXVIII Mortar Battalion
  • * CXXVIII Mixed Engineer Battalion
  • * 28th Anti-tank Company
  • * Division Services
    Italian XVI Army Corps
    XVI Army Corps, in Piazza Armerina - Generale di Corpo d'Armata Carlo Rossi - responsible for Sicily to the East of a line from Cefalù to Gela
  • * 40th Army Corps Artillery Grouping, in Piazza Armerina
  • ** X Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** XVI Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** XXIX Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** CIX Motorized Artillery Group
  • ** CX Heavy Artillery Group
  • * 16th Army Corps Engineer Grouping
  • * LVIII Bersaglieri Battalion
  • * XII Army Corps Machine Gun Battalion
  • * CCXXXIII Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion
  • * XI Anti-aircraft Artillery Group
  • * 1x Engineer battalion
  • * Army Corps Services
    Coastal Troops Command
    Coastal Troops Command - Generale di Divisione Achille d'Havet
  • * 206th Coastal Division, in Modica - Generale di Divisione Achille d'Havet - responsible for the coast from Punta Braccetto in Santa Croce Camerina to Arenella to the South of Syracuse
  • ** 122nd Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCXLIII Coastal Battalion
  • *** CCCLXXV Coastal Battalion
  • ** 123rd Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCCLXXXI Coastal Battalion
  • *** CCCLXXXIII Coastal Battalion
  • *** DXLII Coastal Battalion
  • ** 146th Coastal Regiment
  • *** CCCLXXIV Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXXX Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXXXVII Coastal Battalion
  • ** 44th Coastal Artillery Grouping
  • *** CII Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CLXI Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CLXIV Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CCIX Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CCXXIV Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** 227th Coastal Artillery Battery
  • ** DXLII Mobile Territorial Bersaglieri Battalion
  • ** CIV Static Machine Gun Battalion
  • ** CCXX Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion
  • ** 122nd Engineer Platoon
  • ** 2x Anti-paratrooper units
  • ** Division Services
  • * 213th Coastal Division, Generale di Brigata Carlo Gotti - responsible for the coast from Punta Castelluccio in Agnone Bagni to Moleti south of Messina
  • ** 135th Coastal Regiment
  • *** XII Coastal Battalion
  • *** CII Coastal Battalion
  • *** CCCLXIX Coastal Battalion
  • ** CCCLXXII Coastal Battalion
  • ** 21st Coastal Artillery Grouping
  • *** XXX Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** XC Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CXLIV Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CCXXX Coastal Artillery Group
  • ** CLIII Static Machine Gun Battalion
  • ** Division Services
  • * XVIII Coastal Brigade, in Niscemi to Gela Generale di Brigata Orazio Mariscalco - responsible for the coast from Punta Due Rocche to the East of Licata to Punta Braccetto in Santa Croce Camerina
  • ** 134th Coastal Regiment
  • *** CDXXIX Coastal Battalion
  • *** CCCLXXXIV Coastal Battalion
  • ** 178th Coastal Regiment
  • *** DI Coastal Battalion
  • *** CCCLXXXIX Coastal Battalion
  • ** 60th Coastal Artillery Grouping
  • *** XXI Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** LXXXI Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CLXII Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** CCIX Coastal Artillery Group
  • ** 81st Artillery Battery
  • ** 106th Mortar Company
  • ** 426th Mortar Company
  • ** 268th Anti-tank Company
  • ** 288th Artillery Battery
  • ** 455th, 456th, 526th, and 332nd Anti-paratrooper units
  • ** Brigade Services
  • * XIX Coastal Brigade, Generale di Brigata Giovanni Bocchetti - responsible for the coast from the West of Messina to, but excluding, Cefalù
  • ** 140th Coastal Regiment
  • *** CI Coastal Battalion
  • *** CDXLVII Coastal Battalion
  • ** 179th Coastal Regiment
  • *** CDXXXV Coastal Battalion
  • *** D Coastal Battalion
  • ** 61st Coastal Artillery Grouping
  • *** Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** Coastal Artillery Group
  • *** 128th Coastal Artillery Battery
  • ** XV Anti-tank battalion
  • ** 52nd Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
  • ** 104th Mortar Company
  • ** 413th Static Mortar Company
  • ** Brigade Services
  • * Harbor Defense Command "H", in Catania - Generale di Brigata Azzo Passalacqua
  • ** CDXXXIV Coastal Battalion
  • ** CDLXXVII Coastal Battalion
  • ** XXVI Coastal Artillery Group
  • ** 105th Mortar Company
    Tactical Groups
Tactical groups were created from corps assets and detached units of the army corps's two infantry divisions. The groups were deployed near the beaches most likely to be used by the allies.Tactical Group "Barcellona", in Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto
  • * Headquarters Company/ CIII Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 2nd Company/ CIII Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 7th Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
  • * 12th Battery/ IV Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli"
  • * Arditi Platoon/ CDXLVII Coastal BattalionTactical Group "Carmito", in Carmito
  • * IV Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion/ 4th Infantry Division "Livorno"
  • * 53rd Bersaglieri Motorcyclists CompanyTactical Group "Comiso-Ispica", in the area of Comiso and Ispica - Colonel Busalacchi
  • * CLXXIII CC.NN. Battalion
  • * I Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli"
  • * 174th CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
  • * 2nd Company/ LIV Mortar Battalion/ 54th Infantry Division "Napoli"
  • * 1x Anti-Tank platoon Tactical Group "Linguaglossa", in Linguaglossa
  • * LVII Bersaglieri Battalion
  • * 54th Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
  • * 11th Battery/ IV Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli"
    Mobile Groups
Mobile groups were fully motorized battle groups created from corps assets and detached units of the army corps's two infantry divisions. The groups were deployed near the beaches most likely to be used by the allies.Mobile Group "D", in Misterbianco - Lieutenant Colonel Massimino D'Andretta
  • * Headquarters Company/ CI Tank Battalion
  • * 3rd Company/ CI Tank Battalion
  • * 2nd Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
  • * 7th Company/ II Fusilier Battalion/ 76th Infantry Regiment "Napoli"
  • * 1st Company/ CIII Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 10th Battery/ IV Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli"
  • * 1st Section/ 354th Anti-aircraft Battery/ 54th Infantry Division "Napoli" Mobile Group "E", in Niscemi - Captain Giuseppe Granieri
  • * 1st Company/ CI Tank Battalion
  • * 2nd Company/ CII Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 155th Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
  • * 4th Company/ DI Coastal Battalion/ XVIII Coastal Brigade
  • * 9th Battery/ III Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli"
  • * 1st Section/ 21st Anti-aircraft Battery/ 54th Infantry Division "Napoli" Mobile Group "F", in Rosolini
  • * Headquarters Company/ CII Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 2nd Company/ CI Tank Battalion
  • * 3rd Bersaglieri Motorcyclists Company
  • * 2nd Company/ DXLII Mobile Territorial Bersaglieri Battalion
  • * 1st Company/ CII Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 2nd Battery/ CXXVI Motorized Artillery Group Mobile Group "G", in Comiso - Lieutenant Colonel Porcù
  • * CLXIX CC.NN. Battalion/ 173rd CC.NN. Legion "Salso"/ 54th Infantry Division "Napoli"
  • * 3rd Company/ CII Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 8th Battery/ III Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli"
  • * 1x Platoon/ 2nd Company/ CI Tank Battalion Mobile Group "H", in Caltagirone - Lieutenant Colonel Luigi Cixi
  • * Headquarters Company/ 131st Tank Infantry Regiment
  • * 2nd Tank Company
  • * 3rd Company/ CIII Anti-tank Battalion
  • * 7th Battery/ III Group/ 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli"
  • * 1x Platoon/ Mortar Company/ 76th Infantry Regiment "Napoli"
    XVI Army Corps Reserve
The 4th Infantry Division "Livorno" had been transferred from its bases and recruiting area in southern Piedmont to Sicily in February 1943. Initially intended as reinforcement for Army Group Africa fighting in Tunisia, the Army Group's disastrous situation and retreat to Tunis prevented the division's transfer to Tunisia. The division's pre-deployment headquarters were in Cuneo, while's its two infantry regiments had been based in Cuneo and Fossano, where also the division's artillery regiment had been based.4th Infantry Division "Livorno" - Generale di Divisione Domenico Chirieleison
  • * 33rd Infantry Regiment "Livorno"
  • ** 3x Fusilier battalions
  • ** Support Weapons Company
  • ** Mortar Company
  • * 34th Infantry Regiment "Livorno"
  • ** 3x Fusilier battalions
  • ** Support Weapons Company
  • ** Mortar Company
  • * 185th Infantry Regiment "Nembo"
  • ** III Paratroopers Battalion
  • ** VIII Paratroopers Battalion
  • ** XI Paratroopers Battalion
  • ** Cannons Company
  • * 28th Artillery Regiment "Livorno"
  • ** I Motorized Group
  • ** II Motorized Group
  • ** III Motorized Group
  • ** IV Motorized Group
  • ** 78th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • * IV Self-propelled Anti-tank Battalion
  • * IV Mortar Battalion
  • * IV Motorized Engineer Battalion
  • * XI Sapper Battalion
  • * 4th Anti-tank Company
  • * Division Services
The 54th Infantry Division "Napoli" was one of three divisions, which recruited in Sicily. It mainly drafted men from southern Sicily and had its peacetime headquarters in Caltanissetta. It's two infantry regiments were based in Syracuse and Agrigento, while the division's artillery regiment was based in Caltanissetta.54th Infantry Division "Napoli", Generale di Divisione Giulio Cesare Gotti Porcinari
  • * 75th Infantry Regiment "Napoli"
  • ** 3x Fusilier battalions
  • ** Support Weapons Company
  • ** Mortar Company
  • * 76th Infantry Regiment "Napoli"
  • ** 3x Fusilier battalions
  • ** Support Weapons Company
  • ** Mortar Company
  • * 173rd CC.NN. Legion "Salso"
  • ** CLXIX CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CLXXIII CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 174th CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
  • * 54th Artillery Regiment "Napoli"
  • ** I Group
  • ** II Group
  • ** III Motorized Group
  • ** IV Motorized Group
  • ** 21st Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 354th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • * LIV Machine Gun Battalion
  • * LIV Mortar Battalion
  • * CXXVI Motorized Artillery Group
  • * LIV Engineer Battalion
  • * 54th Anti-tank Company
  • * Division Services
    German XIV Panzer Corps
The XIV Panzer Corps was activated 18 July 1943 to take command of the 15th Panzergrenadier Division, the Hermann Göring Division, the newly arrived 1st Parachute Division and the 29th Panzergrenadier Division which started to arrive in Sicily on 18 July. The commanding general was General der Panzertruppe Hans-Valentin Hube.German XIV Panzer Corps, General der Panzertruppe Hans-Valentin Hube
  • * 382nd Panzergrenadier Regiment
  • ** 2x battalions
  • * 904th Fortress Battalion
  • * 923rd Fortress Battalion
  • * 926th Fortress Battalion
  • * 4th Battery/ I Battalion/ 71st Werfer Regiment Panzer Division "Hermann Göring" - Generalleutnant Paul Conrath
  • * Panzer Regiment "Hermann Göring"
  • ** 2x tank battalions, 1x assault gun battalion
  • * 1st Panzergrenadier Regiment "Hermann Göring"
  • ** 3x battalions
  • * 2nd Panzergrenadier Regiment "Hermann Göring"
  • ** 3x battalions
  • * Panzer Artillery Regiment "Hermann Göring"
  • ** I Battalion
  • ** II Battalion
  • ** III Battalion
  • * Anti-aircraft Regiment "Hermann Göring"
  • ** I Battalion
  • ** II Battalion
  • * Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion "Hermann Göring"
  • * Panzer Engineer Battalion "Hermann Göring"
  • * Panzer Signal Battalion "Hermann Göring"
  • * Replacement Battalion "Hermann Göring"
  • * 2nd Company/ 504th Heavy Tank Battalion
  • * Division Services15th Panzergrenadier Division - Generalmajor Eberhard Rodt
  • * 104th Panzergrenadier Regiment
  • ** 2x battalions
  • * 115th Panzergrenadier Regiment
  • ** 2x battalions
  • * 129th Panzergrenadier Regiment
  • ** 3x battalions
  • * 33rd Motorized Artillery Regiment
  • ** I Battalion
  • ** II Battalion
  • ** III Battalion
  • ** IV Battalion
  • * Panzergrenadier Battalion "Reggio", in Reggio Calabria
  • * 215th Panzer Battalion
  • * 33rd Engineer Battalion
  • * 315th Anti-aircraft Battalion
  • * 999th Signal Battalion
  • * Division Services1st Fallschirmjäger Division - Generalleutnant Richard Heidrich
  • * 3rd Fallschirmjäger Regiment
  • ** 3x battalions
  • ** 13th Mortar Company
  • ** 14th Anti-tank Company
  • * 4th Fallschirmjäger Regiment
  • ** 3x battalions
  • ** 13th Mortar Company
  • ** 14th Anti-tank Company
  • * 1st Parachute Artillery Regiment
  • ** I Battalion
  • ** II Battalion
  • * 1st Parachute Machine Gun Battalion
  • * 1st Parachute Panzerjäger Battalion
  • * 1st Parachute Engineer Battalion
  • * 1st Parachute Signal Battalion
  • * Division Services29th Panzergrenadier Division - Generalmajor Walter Fries
  • * 15th Panzergrenadier Regiment
  • ** 3x battalions
  • ** 13th Mortar Company
  • ** 14th Anti-tank Company
  • * 71st Panzergrenadier Regiment
  • ** 3x battalions
  • ** 13th Company
  • ** 14th Anti-tank Company
  • * 29th Artillery Regiment
  • ** I Self-propelled Battalion
  • ** II Battalion
  • ** III Battalion
  • * 129th Panzer Battalion
  • * 129th Panzer Reconnaissance Battalion
  • * 29th Engineer Battalion
  • * 313th Anti-aircraft Battalion
  • * 29th Signal Battalion
  • * Division Services
    Territorial Defense Command Palermo
The Territorial Defense Command was tasked with rear area security duties, the training of recruits, and the formation of units.Territorial Defense Command Palermo, in Palermo
  • * 25th Military Zone, in Palermo
  • ** Infantry Complementary Officer Recruits School
  • ** 185th Coastal Regiment
  • ** 186th Coastal Regiment
  • ** 188th Coastal Regiment
  • ** 189th Coastal Regiment
  • ** Territorial Carabinieri Legion "Palermo"
  • ** 13th CC.NN. Railway Legion
  • ** 22nd CC.NN. Anti-aircraft Legion
  • *** See Territorial Anti-aircraft Defense section for details
  • ** 5th CC.NN. Road Units Group
  • ** I CC.NN. Forestry Battalion
  • ** CCCLXVIII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CCCLXX Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CCCLXXI Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CCCLXXII Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 58th, 59th, 67th, 68th, 72nd, 73rd, and 74th Coastal CC.NN. companies
  • ** 4x Coastal artillery batteries
  • ** 28th Infantry Division "Aosta" Depot, in Palermo
  • ** 54th Infantry Division "Napoli" Depot, in Caltanissetta
  • * 26th Military Zone, in Messina
  • ** Territorial Carabinieri Legion "Messina"
  • ** DLXVII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CCCLXXIII Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 75th Coastal CC.NN. Company
  • ** 29th Infantry Division "Piemonte" Depot, in Messina
The 29th Infantry Division "Piemonte" was one of three infantry divisions, which recruited in Sicily. It mainly drafted men from eastern Sicily and had its peacetime headquarters in Messina. It's two infantry regiments were based in Messina and Catania, with the division's artillery regiment based also in Messina. In September 1940 the division was transferred to Albania and remained in the Balkans and Greece until it disbanded after the Italian-Allied Armistice of Cassibile.

Maritime Military Command Sicily

Military harbors in Sicily were under command of the Royal Italian Navy's Maritime Military Command Sicily in Messina, which fell under Armed Forces Command Sicily. The command's commanding officer was Ammiraglio di Squadra Pietro Barone and a large majority of its units were Royal Italian Army and CC.NN. units. The only naval units in Sicily in July 1943 were twenty torpedo boats of the 3rd and 7th torpedo boat squadrons.
Besides the three major commands listed below the Royal Italian Navy was also present with administrative Navy Commands in Catania, Palermo, and Porto Empedocle.
Maritime Military Base Messina-Reggio Calabria
Maritime Military Base Messina-Reggio Calabria, in Messina - Ammiraglio di Squadra Pietro Barone
  • * 116th Coastal Regiment, in Reggio Calabria
  • ** CLVI Coastal Battalion
  • ** DII Coastal Battalion
  • * 119th Coastal Regiment
  • ** CCCLXX Coastal Battalion
  • ** CCCLXXI Coastal Battalion
  • ** CDXLII Coastal Battalion
  • ** DIII Coastal Battalion
  • * 95th CC.NN. Legion "Marzocco"
  • ** XCIII CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** XCV CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 93rd CC.NN. Machine Gun Company
  • * DLXIII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • * DLXVI Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • * XXIII Dismounted Group "Cavalleggeri di Palermo"
  • * CCLV Coastal Artillery Battalion, in Reggio Calabria
  • * CLVIII Coastal Artillery Battalion
    6th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion
    6th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion, in Messina
  • * 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 54th, and 55th Coastal CC.NN. companies
  • * Sicilian Command Group North, in Fort Menaja
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Masotto"
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Spartà"
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Mezzacapo"
  • ** Artillery Battery "RE 198"
  • ** Searchlights at Pace del Mela and Torre Faro; optical telegraph at Fort Spuria; reconnaissance station at Piano del Giglio
  • ** Anti-aircraft Command Group North, at Tremonti
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 123"
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 400"
  • *** Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 475"
  • *** Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 577"
  • *** Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 724"
  • *** Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 949"
  • * Sicilian Command Group South, in Puntale Cappellaro
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Cavalli"
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Margottini"
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "De Cristofaro"
  • ** Artillery Battery "RE 199"
  • ** Searchlight at Tremestieri
  • ** Anti-aircraft Command Group South, at Montepiselli
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 3"
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 280"
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 525"
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 611"
After the allies had landed on Sicily the Maritime Military Base Messina-Reggio Calabria was reinforced with every available anti-aircraft battery to protect the vital supply route over the Strait of Messina. Until the end of July the following anti-aircraft units had reached Messina:
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 120"
  • Dual-role Battery "MS 159"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 253"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 277"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 328"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "RE 344"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 349"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 434"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 477"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 553"
  • Dual-role Battery "MS 620"
  • Dual-role Battery "MS 713"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 807"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 881"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 905"
  • Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 940"
Additionally the German Army's 281st Flak Battalion had been transferred to Messina with eight 8.8 cm Flak and six smaller caliber anti-aircraft batteries. After arriving in Messina the 281st Battalion was renamed "Flak Subgroup Messina". Retreating Italian army troops brought a further three 75/46 and six 90/53 anti-aircraft batteries to Messina. On 2 August the retreating 22nd Flak Brigade of the Luftwaffe arrived in Messina and took command of all Axis air-defense units.
14th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion
14th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion, in Reggio Calabria
  • * Calabrian Command Group North, at Fort Siacci
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Beleno"
  • ** Artillery Battery "RE 196"
  • ** Searchlights at Scilla, Santa Trada, and Punta Pezzo
  • * Calabrian Command Group South, in Pentimele Sud
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Pellizzari"
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Conteduca"
  • ** Artillery Battery "RE 197"
  • ** Searchlights at Catona and Pentimele; reconnaissance Station at Torre Lupo
  • ** Anti-aircraft Command Group Reggio Calabria:
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 110"
  • *** Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 116"
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 268"
  • *** Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 374"
  • *** Anti-aircraft Battery "MS 430"
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 643"
  • *** Dual-role Battery "MS 819"
Additionally the Luftwaffe's 182nd Heavy Flak Battalion had been transferred to Reggio Calabria with eight 8.8 cm Flak, four 10.5 cm Flak, and five smaller caliber anti-aircraft batteries. After arriving in Reggio Calabria the 182nd Battalion was renamed "Flak Subgroup Reggio-San Giovanni". The Germans also deployed four 17 cm cannon batteries as mobile coastal batteries on the Calabrian side of the strait. On 2 August the retreating 22nd Flak Brigade of the Luftwaffe arrived in Messina and took command of all Axis air-defense units.
Maritime Military Sector Augusta-Syracuse
The Maritime Military Sector Augusta-Syracuse was responsible for the harbors of Augusta and Syracuse, and the coast between Arenella to the South and Punta Castelluccio in Agnone Bagni to the North.Maritime Military Sector Augusta-Syracuse, in Augusta - Ammiraglio di Divisione Priamo Leonardi
  • * 121st Coastal Regiment
  • ** CCXLVI Coastal Battalion, in Augusta
  • ** CCCLXXXV Coastal Battalion, in Syracuse
  • ** DIV Coastal Battalion, between Augusta and Melilli
  • ** DXL Coastal Battalion, between Belvedere and Grottone
  • ** 80th Artillery Battery
  • ** 5x Blockposts
  • * CCCLXIX Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • * I Protection Battalion
  • * 1x Royal Italian Navy battalion
  • * 5x Anti-paratrooper units
    7th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion
    7th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion
  • * 60th, and 63rd Coastal CC.NN. companies
  • * Augusta Sector
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Luigi di Savoia"
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Biagio Assereto"
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Bozzo Gravina"
  • ** Floating Battery "GM 216"
  • ** Floating battery "GM 239"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 269"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 360"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 361"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 362"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 363"
  • ** Anti-aircraft Battery "AS 364"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 383"
  • ** Anti-aircraft Battery "AS 416"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 561"
  • ** Anti-aircraft Battery "AS 592"
  • ** Anti-aircraft Battery "AS 674"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 741"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 896"
  • * Autonomous Group "Siracusa", in Syracuse
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Opera A"
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Emanuele Russo"
  • ** Coastal Artillery Battery "Lamba Doria"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 309"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 365"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 493"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 671"
  • ** Dual-role Battery "AS 909"
    Maritime Military Sector Trapani
    Maritime Military Sector Trapani, in Trapani - Rear Admiral Giuseppe Manfredi
  • * 137th Coastal Regiment
  • ** CDXLIII Coastal Battalion
  • ** DV Coastal Battalion
  • ** DCCCXLIV Coastal Battalion
  • * CCCLXXIV Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • * 8th CC.NN. Maritime Artillery Legion
  • ** 9x Anti-ship artillery batteries
  • ** 76th, 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th, 81st, and 82nd Coastal CC.NN. companies
  • * Anti-aircraft Command Group Trapani:
  • ** 3x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 5x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 3x Anti-aircraft batteries
    Armored Trains
The Royal Italian Navy fielded 14 armored trains, which were equipped with naval guns that had been removed from decommissioned ships. Ten of the trains were assigned to the Armed Forces Command Sicily before the allied landings, with eight trains being transferred to Sicily and two based on the Italian mainland near Reggio Calabria to provide fire for the defense of the Strait of Messina. The ten trains of the Armed Forces Command Sicily on 10 July 1943 were:Type 1 Operational Train
The ten armored trains did not take part in any combat operation after the allied landings in Sicily, as the allies' absolute air supremacy prevent the trains from leaving their camouflaged shelters. The eight trains based in Sicily were blown up by their crews during the retreat from the island.

Air Force Command Sicily

Airfields in Sicily were under command of the Royal Italian Air Force's Air Force Command Sicily, which fell under Armed Forces Command Sicily. The commanding officer was Generale di divisione aerea Adriano Monti.
Each airfield was garrisoned by two infantry companies, reinforced by two mortar squads with 81mm Mod. 35 mortars, and two artillery batteries with 149/12 howitzers.
The airfields and units under command of Air Force Command Sicily on 10 July 1943, and the reinforcements, which arrived in Sicily on 10 and 11 July 1943, were:Augusta Airfield
  • * 8th Naval Reconnaissance Squadron
  • ** 170th and 186th flights
  • Castelvetrano Airfield
  • * 16th Fighter Squadron
  • ** 167th, 168th, and 169th flights
  • * Staff Schlachtgeschwader 2
  • ** I/Schlachtgeschwader 2, at Milis Airfield in Sardinia
  • ** II/Schlachtgeschwader 2 Chinisia Airfield
  • * 21st Fighter Squadron
  • ** 356th, 361st, and 386th flights
  • * 155th Fighter Squadron
  • ** 351st and 360th flights Comiso Airfield
  • * 3rd Fighter Squadron
  • ** 153rd, 154th, and 155th flights
  • * Staff Jagdgeschwader 53
  • ** I/Jagdgeschwader 53, at Vibo Valentia Airfield
  • ** II/Jagdgeschwader 53, at Gerbini Airfield
  • ** III/Jagdgeschwader 53, at Sigonella Airfield
  • * II/Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 Ju-88C6
  • * III/Schnellkampfgeschwader 10, at Comiso Airfield Gerbini Airfield
  • * 131st Torpedo-Bomber Squadron
  • ** 279th and 284th flights
  • * Staff Schnellkampfgeschwader 10
  • ** II/Schnellkampfgeschwader 10
  • ** III/Schnellkampfgeschwader 10, at Comiso Airfield
  • ** IV/Schnellkampfgeschwader 10
  • * II/Jagdgeschwader 53 Palermo-Boccadifalco Airfield
  • * 66th Reconnaissance Squadron
  • ** 131st Flight
  • * 153rd Fighter Squadron
  • ** 372nd, 373rd, 374th, and 377th flights
  • * 46th Assault Squadron
  • ** 20th Flight
  • * 47th Assault Squadron
  • ** 53rd Flight
  • * 207th Flight/ 103rd Dive-Bomber Squadron
  • * Elements of the 3rd Fighter Wing with C.202 Folgore fighter arrived from Cerveteri Airfield near Rome on 11 JulyReggio Calabria Airfield
  • * 161st Fighter Squadron
  • ** 162nd, 164th, and 371st flightsStagnone Airfield
  • * 197th Flight/ 8th Naval Reconnaissance SquadronSciacca Airfield
  • * 150th Fighter Squadron
  • ** 363rd, 364th, and 365th flights
  • * Staff Jagdgeschwader 77
  • ** I/Jagdgeschwader 77
  • ** 2./Aufklärungsgruppe 122 Catania-Sigonella Airfield
  • * 4th Fighter Wing
  • ** 9th Fighter Squadron
  • *** 73rd, 96th, and 97th flights
  • ** 10th Fighter Squadron
  • *** 84th, 90th, and 91st flights
  • * 22nd Fighter Squadron
  • ** 362nd and 369th flights
  • * 87th Flight/ 66th Reconnaissance Squadron
  • * III/Jagdgeschwader 53
Airfields without flying units:
Bombers and torpedo-bombers of 3rd Air Fleet entered combat in support of Air Force Command Sicily starting from 10 July 1943.3rd Air Fleet
Aircraft of the 4th Air Fleet based in Southern Italy entered combat in support of Air Force Command Sicily from 10 July 1943. At the same date reinforcements from other air fleets began to arrive in Southern Italy to reinforce 4th Air Fleet.Crotone Airfield
  • * 97th Interceptor Squadron
  • ** 226th and 227th flights
  • * 102nd Dive-Bomber Squadron
  • ** 209th and 239th flights
  • * 158th Assault Squadron
  • ** elements of 236th, 387th, and 388th flights
  • * 159th Assault Squadron
  • ** 389th, 390th, and 391st flightsGioia del Colle Airfield
  • * 98th Bomber Squadron
  • ** 240th and 241st flights
  • * 121st Dive-Bomber Squadron
  • ** 206th and 216th flights
  • * 237th Flight/ 103rd Dive-Bomber Squadron Grottaglie Airfield
  • * 157th Fighter Squadron
  • ** 163rd, 357th, 371st, and 384th flightsLecce Airfield
  • * IV/Jagdgeschwader 4, Manduria Airfield
  • * 8th Bomber Wing
  • ** 27th Bomber Squadron
  • *** 18th and 52nd flights
  • * 101st Dive-Bomber Squadron
  • ** 208th and 238th flightsMontecorvino Airfield
  • * II/Zerstörer-Geschwader 1 Vibo Valentia Airfield
  • * I/Jagdgeschwader 53,
  • * II/Jagdgeschwader 27,

Territorial Anti-aircraft Defense

The Territorial Anti-aircraft Defense was an organization of the Italian National Fascist Party's Voluntary Militia for National Security tasked with static air-defense of cities and installations. The MDICAT was organized in 22 legions, which commanded all ground-based air-defense units, including Royal Italian Army and Royal Italian Navy units, in their sector. The territorial anti-aircraft defense unit responsible for Sicily was the 22nd Territorial CC.NN. Anti-aircraft Legion. The list below gives an overview of the 22nd Legion's batteries sorted by cities with the respective services army, navy, and militia listed.
The anti-aircraft batteries in Messina, Reggio Calabria, Augusta, and Trapani were detached to the Royal Italian Navy's maritime military commands in these cities.Territorial Anti-aircraft Defense - 22nd Territorial CC.NN. Anti-aircraft Legion, in Palermo
  • * Ionia
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • * Gerbini Airfield
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • * Catania
  • ** 460th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 483rd Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 813th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 5x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 6x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • * San Pietro Clarenza
  • ** XXXI Anti-aircraft Group
  • *** 18th and 19th Anti-aircraft batteries
  • *** 232nd and 827th Anti-aircraft batteries
  • * Gela
  • ** 22nd Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 23rd Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 93rd Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 333rd Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 334th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 523rd Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 796th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • * Licata
  • ** 675th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 791st Anti-aircraft Battery
  • * Porto Empedocle
  • ** LXXVII Anti-aircraft Group
  • *** 644th, 645th, 646th, and 669th batteries
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • * Sciacca
  • ** 816th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 3x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • * Castelvetrano
  • ** LXXXIII Anti-aircraft Group, at Castelvetrano
  • *** 629th and 653rd Anti-aircraft batteries
  • *** 795th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** XC Anti-aircraft Group, at Castelvetrano Airfield
  • *** 668th and 676th Anti-aircraft batteries
  • *** 814th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 3x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 4x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • * Marsala
  • ** 476th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • * Chinisia Airfield
  • ** LIX Anti-aircraft Group
  • *** 31st Anti-aircraft Battery
  • *** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 3x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • * Palermo
  • ** 411th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 414th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 415th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 418th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 630th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 733rd Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 6x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 5x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 4x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 3x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • * Termini Imerese
  • ** 468th Anti-aircraft Battery
  • ** 3x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • * Milazzo
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
  • ** 2x Anti-aircraft batteries
  • ** 1x Anti-aircraft battery
There were also single CC.NN. batteries at Portopalo di Capo Passero, Motta Sant'Anastasia, Vizzini, Pozzallo, Vittoria, Punta Secca, and Costa Raia, and two batteries at Cassibile and two at Lercara Friddi. The Royal Italian Army had single batteries at Pachino, Acireale, Ragusa, and Roccapalumba.
Other batteries deployed in Sicily in July 1943, whose location on the island is unknown, are listed below:
  • 20/65 anti-aircraft guns:
  • * 59th, 284th, 792nd, 793rd, 815th, 837th, and 1506th batteries
  • 75/27 anti-aircraft guns:
  • * 8th, 29th, 133rd, 331st, and 452nd batteries
  • 75/46 anti-aircraft guns:
  • * 524th Battery
  • 76/40 anti-aircraft guns:
  • * 625th and 648th batteries
  • 8.8 cm Flak anti-aircraft guns:
  • * 1399th, 1405th, 1408th, 1415th, 1418th, and 1429th batteries
  • Batteries with unknown equipment:
  • * 342nd, 345th, 413th, 417th, 504th, 650th, 908th batteries

Voluntary Militia for National Security

The Voluntary Militia for National Security was the Italian National Fascist Party's paramilitary wing. The MVSN had police functions and provided the regime with readily available paramilitary units for internal oppression. During WWII the MVSN raised military units, which were operationally assigned to Royal Italian Army or Royal Italian Navy commands. The MVSN's command authority in Sicily was the 14th Zone and its legions, the units they raised for the defense of Sicily, and the commands these units were assigned to are listed below.14th Zone, in Palermo
  • * 166th CC.NN. Legion "Peloro", in Messina
  • ** CLXVI
  • ** DLXVI Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 54th, and 55th Coastal CC.NN. companies
  • * 167th CC.NN. Legion "Etna", in Catania
  • ** CLXVII
  • ** DLXVII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • * 168th CC.NN. Legion "Hyblae", in Ragusa
  • ** CLXVIII CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CCCLXVIII Mobile Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 58th and 59th Coastal CC.NN. companies
  • * 169th CC.NN. Legion "Tirreno", in Syracuse
  • ** CLXIX CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CCCLXIX Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 60th and 63rd Coastal CC.NN. companies
  • * 170th CC.NN. Legion "Agrigentum", in Agrigento
  • ** CCCLXX Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 67th and 68th Coastal CC.NN. companies
  • * 171st CC.NN. Legion "Vespri", in Palermo
  • ** CLXXI CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CCCLXXI Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • * 172nd CC.NN. Legion "Enna", in Enna
  • ** CCCLXXII Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 72nd, 73rd, and 74th Coastal CC.NN. companies
  • * 173rd CC.NN. Legion "Salso", in Caltanissetta
  • ** CLXXIII CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** CCCLXXIII Territorial CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 75th Coastal CC.NN. Company
  • * 174th CC.NN. Legion "Segesta", in Trapani
  • ** CCCLXXIV Coastal CC.NN. Battalion
  • ** 76th and 82nd Coastal CC.NN. companies

Messina Evacuation

During Operation Lehrgang - the Axis evacuation from Sicily - the German evacuation efforts were under command of Seetransportführer Messina Kapitän zur See Gustav Freiherr von Liebenstein, while the Italian evacuation was organized by Ammiraglio di Squadra Pietro Barone. The Italians pressed every possible ship into service and used four evacuation routes across the Strait of Messina, while the Germans had brought three landing flotillas to Messina for the evacuation.2. Landungs-Division - Seetransportführer Messina - Kapitän zur See Gustav Freiherr von Liebenstein
  • * 2. Landungs-Flottille
  • ** 29x Marinefährprahm and other boats; Marinefährprahms F 147, F 466, F 146, F 432, F 460, F 546, F 434, F 618, and F 435 were lost during the evacuation of Sicily
  • * 4. Landungs-Flottille
  • ** 31x Marinefährprahm and 12 other boats; Marinefährprahms F 466, F 432, F 460, F 430, F 429, F 462, F 607, and F 437 were lost during the evacuation of Sicily
  • * 10. Landungs-Flottille
  • ** 9x Siebel ferries and infantry transport boats
  • * Pionier-Landungs-Bataillon 771
  • ** 6x Marinefährprahm, 14x landing boats, 465 meter of landing bridges, and a number of Storm boats