The invasion of Sicily followed the Allied capture of Tunisia in north Africa and preceded the Allied invasion of Italy as a means of diverting Axis forces from the eastern front with the Soviet Union until the Western Allies were prepared to invade occupied Europe through France. 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. 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 amphibious Battle of Gela was the opening engagement of the American portion of the Allied Invasion of Sicily during World War II. ² - Involved an Axis convoy or delivery mission ¹ - Involved an Allied convoy or delivery mission
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