In 1943 the Allies invaded Sicily in an attempt to knock Italy out of the war. The invasion was one of the biggest amphibious attacks (launched from the sea) of the war, with 150000 men, as many as those landed in the great invasion of Normandy of the following year. Most went ashore in small assault craft, which were lowered, from the lifeboat davits of large transport ships. New beaching craft were used: the big LST, which could land about sixty tanks and the LCT (Landing Craft Tank), which could land about six tanks.

The Allied conquest of Sicily was a success, though not easy. Patton, the American Commander, did well. He was proving to be the best blitzkrieg commander on the Allied side. He was a rough, outspoken character who carried pearl-handled revolvers on his hips, cowboy style. He had to be sacked for doing what an officer should not do- striking a soldier, a mental patient in hospital whom Patton suspected of pretending to be ill.

Most Italians were fed up with the war and Mussolini was overthrown. The Allies hoped that they would be able to occupy Italy without a fight. The new Italian government signed a secret peace agreement with the Allies; but the Germans quickly seized control of the country. The Allies then invaded Italy, making their main landing at Salerno. The Germans struck back hard and nearly drove them into the sea. Under General Kesselring's leadership, the Germans skilfully used the difficult mountainous countryside to slow down the Allies, whose tactics were by contrast uninspired.

Fighting near Monte Cassino was particularly frustrating for the Allies. In turn Americans, New Zealanders, Indians and Poles attacked Cassino over a period of six months but were driven back. An Allied seaborne landing behind the German lines at Anzio did little good. French troops finally broke through in May 1944. By June the Allies were in Rome and by August had reached Florence. Further north the Allies suffered heart-breaking resistance right through to the end of the war.