Sicily
Shortly before 0100 hours on 10 July 1943, the first wave of the 16th Infantry boarded landing craft for the assault on that island. After achieving a relatively bloodless hold on the beachhead in the darkness, the regiment pushed into the hills beyond. There the regiment was soon hit hard with an armored counterattack by German tanks. Despite numerous enemy tanks and reinforcements, the 16th Infantry desperately held on by receiving assistance from the heavy guns of the U.S. Navy and the timely arrival of the regiment’s Cannon Company. By 14 July 1943, the regiment had moved through Pictroperzia, Enna, and Villarosa. Fighting against snipers and well-fortified positions, the regiment moved forward by a series of flanking movements and by 29 July had taken the high ground west of the Cerami River. In early August, the regiment reached the town of Troina in eastern Sicily. At Troina the regiment experienced some of the most bitter fighting it would see during the war. After a four-day brawl with the battle-hardened troops of the 15th Panzer Grenadier Division, the men of the 16th Infantry finally captured the town and soon after the Sicily campaign ended.
The USS Elizabeth C. Stanton transported the regimental headquarters and much of the rest of the regiment to the assualt landings at Gela, Sicily, during Operation Husky, 10 July 1943.
The remainder of the regiment and the advanced command post sailed on the USS Thurston to the Gela landing beaches.
The invasion beach at Gela, Sicily, looking from the northwest to the southeast. The beach sector where the 16th Infantry landed on 10 July 1943 is in the distance.
The Gela Plain looking from the east to the west. The 16th Infantry’s landing area is to the left. Note the knocked out tanks that were destroyed during the 11 July counterattack by the Hermann Goering Panzer Division.
A destroyed Tiger I tank on the road to Niscemi. The 2nd Battalion took Niscemi on 13 July 1943.
Soldiers of the 16th Infantry meet the citizens of Niscemi.
The approach road to Enna (on the high ground) looking southeast to northwest. The 16th Infantry entered the town on 20 July 1943.
The 16th Infantry enters Enna. These are likely troops of the 3rd Battalion.
Troops of the 16th Infantry resting in Enna, 20 July 1943.
Troops of the Anti-Tank Company at the Palazza del Governo (Government Plaza) in Enna.
A 16th Infantry medic provides first aid to a wounded German soldier in Sicily.
Tired doughfeet of the 16th Infantry resting at Nicosia, Sicily, before making the final push on Troina.
The town of Troina (on the high ground). This view shows the approach route of the 16th Infantry to the town. Hill 1034 is the small conical hill in the middle distance. Mt. Etna looms on the horizon.
After the tank battles at Gela, and advancing through Nicosia and Sperlingua, the regiment’s final objective in Sicily was the mountain town of Troina. Here, a cloumn from the regiment moves toward the town.
The men of A Company advance toward Troina on 28 July 1943.
A patrol scouts toward Troina in late July 1943.
The initial patrol from the Regiment moves up into the town to see if the Germans have departed, 6 August 1943.
Moving in to Troina, 6 August 1943.
A Troinian citizen cautiously moves to meet with the entering American troops.
A Troinian policeman provides a drink to a tired and thirsty 16th Infantryman.
After days of tough fighting in the hills west ot Troina, a patrol scouts the town to clear out stragglers and snipers on 6 August 1943.
After clearing the town of enemy troops, the victors appropriately rest under the statue of Lady Victory, 6 August 1943.
General George S. Patton addresses the 16th Infantry after the liberation of Sicily.
