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Gela Beachhead

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Title
Gela Beachhead
Description
Elements of the American 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division are holding a perimeter for the beachhead on Sicily near Gela created by parts of the U.S. Army’s 16th Regiment (1st Infantry Division) and 180th Regiment …
Subject
Publisher
Date
1943-07-11
Scenario#
59
Scenario Description
Elements of the American 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division are holding a perimeter for the beachhead on Sicily near Gela created by parts of the U.S. Army’s 16th Regiment (1st Infantry Division) and 180th Regiment (45th Infantry Division). Reinforcements will come from the independent 753rd Tank Battalion and from the 41st Armored lnfantry and 67th Armored Regiment of the 2nd Armored Division. Two strong but inexperienced panzer groups of the Hermann Goering Panzer Division counterattack to try to destroy the landing force.
Location
Gela, Sicily
Battle Name
Battle Narrative
The amphibious Battle of Gela was the opening engagement of the American portion of the Allied Invasion of Sicily during World War Two. United States Navy ships landed United States Army troops along the eastern end of the south coast of Sicily; and withstood attacks by Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica aircraft while defending the beachhead against German tanks and Italian tanks of the Livorno Division until the Army captured the Ponte Olivo Airfield for use by United States Army Air Forces planes. The battle convinced United States Army officers of the value of naval artillery support, and revealed problems coordinating air support from autonomous air forces during amphibious operations.
Narrative Source
Combatants
German
American

Geolocation