Codenamed “Operation Husky”, the allied invasion of Sicily between July and August 1943 was a significant step in taking the fight to the Axis powers’ own territories. Air and Seaborne landings combined to take footholds in the Mediterranean whilst struggling with the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica for control of the skies. Germany took the defence of Sicily and the region as a whole very seriously, sparing no effort in resources and support. As a result of which, the battles that took place were both intense and fierce as either side’s victory over the other would have serious ramifications on the outcome of the war as a whole in many aspects.  

With Sicily lying just off the coast of Italy, it's capture opened up the Mediterranean shipping lanes and paved the way for the full scale invasion of Italy itself, causing the Germans to make significant diversions in troops and resources to mount a counteroffensive as well as to bolster their grip over the territories that were previously occupied by Italain forces.