The liberation of Sicily
During the Second World War, Germany, Italy, and Japan had joined forces and formed a bloc, the Axis powers, against the so-called Allies. The war had begun in 1940, but the Allied plans to force Germany and Italy to capitulate emerged as early as January 1943. Then came the American president Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill, together in Casablanca (Morocco) with their military advisors to map out a military strategy.
Two months earlier, the campaign in North Africa had already begun, and the German and Italian troops had been defeated. Due to the successes in the desert, it was decided in Casablanca that the first objective was to confront the Axis powers on their own soil, Sicily would be.
Sicily was very favorably situated relative to the North African coast. And the island was also close to the tip of Italy's boot. However, the island's mountainous character was a negative point. The defenders could use the island as a natural fortress. The Americans were not big proponents of the plan to conquer Sicily, but the British held their interests in the Mediterranean in high regard. Furthermore, it would be easier to secure the sea route to the Middle East against German and Italian warships.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the troops to carry out the invasion, alongside General Alexander, who would lead the operation, Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr., and General Sir Bernard Montgomery. The code name for the invasion was Husky. The invasion was scheduled to begin on July 10, 1943. Paratroopers were dropped on the first night, but due to poor weather conditions, only a few reached their target. Nevertheless, more than 66.000 soldiers were transported to the island, with over 4.000 prisoners of war taken, at a loss of 58 killed, 199 wounded, and more than 700 missing.
Later, losses would mount further. Not only on the Allied side, but also on the side of the Germans and Italians. After a 38-day campaign, 29.000 enemy troops had been wounded or killed and more than 140.000 soldiers taken prisoner. On the American side, there were 2.237 dead and 6.544 wounded; on the British side, 2.721 dead and 10.122 wounded. It was one of the largest landing operations the Allies had carried out up to that point, and a harsh preparation for D-Day.
After the fighting, 'normal' life resumed. Because connections between Sicily and Italy had been severed, the postal service also had to be restored. The so-called Army Post Offices were part of the army units. In addition, the original post offices were put back into use as much as possible. Due to a shortage of stamps, a series of stamps was printed that was already available at the counters in September 1943. Simple stamps, with values ranging from 15 centisimi to 10 Lire.
The stamps, a series of nine, were very simple in design.
The issue was intended only for Sicily, but the stamps bore the inscription ITALY in black. Furthermore, the text: Allied Military Postage.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find extensive information in the major stamp catalogues, such as Bolaffi, Michel, Zumstein, and Scott. How do you use the catalogue? For background information such as rates, designer, and printer, or just as a list to tick off: I have that? 
I believe the Second World War started on September 1, 1939, with the invasion of Poland by German troops.
And not in 1940 as you wrote in the article. But the war in the Netherlands began on May 10, 1940, with the attack by the German troops.
It depends on how you look at it. Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany and Russia, who split the country up. Germany actually had a pact with Russia first. General history books mention September 1st, but I doubt whether you could speak of the Axis powers and the Allies at that time. The Allies only formed after Germany had broken the pact with Russia. Fun fodder for discussion, I'd say 😉
Hi Cees,
I recently saw a program on one of the digital history networks that highlighted the role of the Mafia in this operation. A major Mafia boss, whose name I just can't remember, is in prison and holds power in the docks of New York. To prove his power, he sabotages the conversion into the largest troop transport ship ever, the Normandie. The ship is converted but catches fire and sinks. Those Italians were, of course, initially pro-Italian. But during the war, and also because Mussolini completely dismantled the Mafia, sympathies shift, and they agree to help the American government during the invasion of Sicily. At the landing, resistance is fierce, but when it becomes known that the Sicilian Mafia is collaborating with the Americans, the entire Italian army defects—about 200.000 men. The Germans are stunned. Because this only happened in the American part of the battlefield, the British had a much harder time and suffered much greater losses.
What was that Mafia boss's name again? After the war, his life sentence was overturned, but he had to leave America; he went to Cuba first and then back to Sicily.
Hello Jos.
The big mafia boss you meant was Al Capone. He had a finger in the pie almost everywhere in the underworld. In other words, he has a say almost everywhere in the underworld.
I believe I know that the mafia boss in question was not Al Capone, but Lucky Luciano.
Guys,
I found it through many detours: it was indeed Lucky Luciano. Long live Wikipedia.