| After a prolonged campaign, the British succeeded in capturing the port of Catania on August 5, 1943. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery had hoped to take Catania with a quick strike involving paratroopers and commandos soon after the initial landings. German reinforcements arrived along the rivers between Syracuse and Catania. Despite heroic efforts by the Number 3 Commando at Malati Bridge, the operation to capture Catania stalled. German forces were able to mount a fighting retreat and evacuate from Messina. |
