The Italian Campaign
The Story
A full year before the D-Day landings in Normandy, there were the Allied invasions of Sicily and Italy. Canada played a major role in the Allies' first breach of Hitler's "Fortress Europe" in 1943 and 1944. Canadian soldiers defeated entrenched German forces but paid a terrible price. Seaside towns and mountain passes became places of horror: Ortona, Cassino, Rimini. But with the events of D-Day and the Allied push across Europe, the Italian Campaign became a forgotten front, a deadly sideshow that cost nearly 6,000 Canadian lives. Sixty years later, their bravery is remembered.
Smokey Smith returns to Italy 60 years later
In 2004, Canada's last living VC recipient visits the site of glory and sorrow.
The Italian Campaign: The road to Ortona
A look back at the fiercest battle of the Italian Campaign.
Soldiers recall fighting in Ortona, Italy
Soldiers recall the fighting in Ortona, Italy.
Characteristics of Canada’s regiments in Italy
Lt.-Gen. Guy G. Symonds, commander in Italy, describes his troops for Front Page Challenge.
How Ernest “Smokey” Smith won the Victoria Cross
Ernest Alvia Smith tells how he held off German soldiers and Panther tanks to earn a VC at the Savio…
Canadian soldiers on leave in Rome
On a rare respite, our soldiers "play the same way they fight -- hard."
Canadians in Italy fear becoming the forgotten army
One soldier's plea for Canadians to remember their men in Italy.
Shell shock: losing your nerve
The horrors of a mental breakdown on the Italian front.
Canadians fight around the ruins of Pompeii
Matthew Halton comments on the memorable sight of modern combat in ancient Italy.
The road to Rome in the Italian campaign
As Allied troops approach the Italian capital, CBC Radio looks at the many conquests of Rome.
Attacking Ortona: Matthew Halton reports
Hand to hand fighting on Christmas Eve in "the courtyard of hell."
Canadians cross the Moro River in the Italian Campaign
Under a barrage of shells, Matthew Halton reports on Canadian troops smashing a German defensive line.
Invasion of mainland Italy begins the Italian Campaign
Canadian troops land on the southern tip of Italy, breaching Hitler's Europe.
Canadian Army Newsreel: Allies take Sicily
After three years of waiting, Canadian troops land unopposed. A Canadian Army Newsreel shows the landing.
Canada declares war on Italy
Prime Minister King declares war against Italy, and annouces the death of Canada's defence minister.