Operation Husky

61 years ago today the men of Canada's 1st Division began the Invasion of Europe;

T0 the 48th Highlanders at their battle stations below decks,
the tension grew almost unbearable as they knew the quiet.
Derbyshire must be nearing the spot on the dark tumbling sea
which would mark their rendezvous with destiny. The blacked-out in-
vasion armada slipped onward unseen, and gave no hint of the magni-
tude of the great assault force stealing toward Sicily. The whole ship
seemed to be waiting with nervous anticipation-listening for the
changed tempo in the tremble from the Derbyshire's screws, the
sharp clash of bells, and then the harsh, metallic jarring as the anchor
cable ran out.
As 2300 hours-and Sicily-neared, the rumour ran through the
ship that the Germans were ready and waiting, and had ploughed up
Pachino airfield (which they had).
The Highlanders' nerves tightened again as they felt the Derby-
shire slow, and heard the long-waited jangle of bells as the big
trooper hove-to, about 4 miles out.
This was, it!
They felt the grating jar as the cable rasped out and the anchor
dropped. The anchor of H.Q. Ship Hilary was let-go 7 miles off shore
at 12 minutes before midnight; the Derbyshire's dropped about 10
minutes later. (Hilary's position was 360 36' N; 140 15' E. The British
submarine Unrivalled was waiting to mark the spot on the sea.)
In the first few moments the ship seemed loud with strange, waiting
silence. They had started the wait that was to go on and on until it
seemed interminable.

(extract from Dileas by Kim Beattie)

For further information visit:

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub...canada2/sicily