P. Marlin October 2022
This post is part of Italy Itinerary 2022. Photos by the Marlin family.
After two days at Riesi, we headed south to Gela, located on the west coast of Sicily. The beach at Gela was one of three landing sites during "Operation Husky," the allied invasion of Sicily during World War II. Led by General George S. Patton, the U.S. Seventh Army landed on July 10, 1943 by parachute, by troop-carrying glider, and by amphibious landing craft. As the invasion progressed, allied troops crossed the rugged terrain of Sicily’s interior as they made their way to the Italian mainland. Today, the only recognition of the beach landing is two very large galvanized iron structures located near the landing site. Created in 2014 by artist Gerardo Sineri, these structures are called "The Wings of Liberty."
"The Wings of Liberty" at Gela beach.
Area Fortificata del Ponte Dirillo Nord, located about 12 miles from Gela's beach, is home to the original Axis "pillboxes" used by German and Italian troops to thwart the Allied invasion. My first encounter with German "pillboxes," or concrete guard posts equipped with loopholes for firing, was on the coast of Normandy, France, the site of the 1944 D-Day invasion. The Normandy visit left a lasting impression with me as I considered the improbability of successfully fighting against such a stronghold. The pillboxes at Ponte Dirillo saw action on July 10, 1943, the first night of the Allied invastion. Blown off course by high winds, the paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division landed among the German pillboxes located near Ponte Dirillo. Exposed to the enemy, the 82nd Airborne fought with a valiant effort. Thirty-nine men were lost during the heavy nighttime fighting, however, German and Italian forces ultimately retreated.
Ponte Dirillo is located on Strata Statale 115. A memorial commemorating the loss of life that July 10, 1943 night can be seen along the short path leading up to the pillboxes. The memorial states, "The night of July 10, 1943 was witness to bloody combat between the 82 no American Airborne Div. and Italian and German troops. Extreme were the losses, supreme was the heroism, and from the sacrifice of these men is created the new history of Europe."
Standing at the memorial. Notice the pill box in the distance.
An original photo of the Ponte Dirillo pill boxes which
show serious damage. National Archives
Ponte Dirillo pill boxes in 2022 with the same mountain
as above photo in the distance. P Marlin 2022
Walking through the pill boxes at Ponte Dirillo.
Ponte Dirillo
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