Allied Invasion of Sicily | Animated History

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After their successes in North Africa, the Allied powers debated long and hard over the next stage of the war. With Stalin calling for relief in the East and Churchill grumbling in the West, the decision was made to pursue the fleeing Axis forces across the Mediterranean and invade the Island of Sicily. But with D-Day still more than a year distant, many fundamental questions had yet to be answered about the nature of amphibious warfare. One wrong move, and thousands of lives could be lost in the treacherous waters around Sicily. Join us as we examine this first great foray across the Mediterranean, the precursor to so many other successful amphibious operations that would be crucial to the liberation of Europe.
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Sources:
Atkinson, Rick, The Day of Battle, New York: Henry Holt and Co, 2007, Ebook
“Invasion of Sicily.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, November 18, 2009. www.history.com/topics/world-....
Luconi, S. (2007). “Italian Americans and the Invasion of Sicily in World War II.” Italian Americana, 25(1), 5-22. www.jstor.org/stable/41330565
Parker, Geoffrey, and Williamson A Murray. “The World at War, 1939-45.” Essay. In The Cambridge History of Warfare. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2008. www.jstor.org/stable/resrep13982.9.
St. Clair, M. (2007). The Twelfth US Air Force: Tactical and Operational Innovations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, 1943-1944 (pp. 17-32, Rep.). Air University Press. www.jstor.org/stable/resrep13982.9
Royde-Smith, J. G., & Hughes, T. A. (2019). “The Allies' invasion of Italy and the Italian volte-face, 1943.” www.britannica.com/event/Worl...
Smyth, Denis. Deathly Deception: The Real Story of Operation Mincemeat. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.
Zeuhlke, Mark, Operation Husky: The Canadian Invasion of Sicily, July 10 - August 7 1943, Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 2009, Ebook.
Music:
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Rio de Jerneiro by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist

[@TheArmchairHistorian]

Thanks again to Vessi! Use my code ARMCHAIR to get $25 off using my link! www.vessi.com/armchairhistorian

[@rexdaylawn1609]

Question why does 100% vegan material matter ?🤔

[@freddyboy800]

Lol

[@thefreeimperialstateofulm7598]

My shoes shall not be wet anymore

[@thefreeimperialstateofulm7598]

I have liked every current comment

[@ARYAN-ms6gi]

Support me on the related videos dear Indian and Bangladeshi friends

[@banatul6367]

Fun fact: The U.S. Army colaborated with the Italian Maffia during the campaign.

[@davidfox2056]

that's why allies won

[@matejaradivojevic3473]

@@davidfox2056 Thats Just a small fact why the won.

[@Nancy3]

Brazil also fought in Italy but with little numbers. The other allies believed them to be Spanish forces.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

Mussolini knew his time was up when he woke up next to the horse head.

[@tombradydid9114]

Italian- American mobster Lucky Luciano was a part of it too

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

General Alexander: Well, I guess you could scout ahead? General Patton: Say no more fam.

[@useodyseeorbitchute9450]

I'm curious how far he would go, had he been allowed to do more, than merely some scouting...

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

von Rundstedt: "Halt at the Meuse." Guderian and Rommel: "SHhsszzhhSS...you are breaking up!...SchSHhhhSZZ...can't hear you!...Will continue "recon"....hsszzhhSS.."

[@interestingengineering291]

@David McConville seriously underrated comment

[@CallsignYukiMizuki]

I see Patton has learned the sacred art of Steiner Scourting

[@black10872]

@@useodyseeorbitchute9450 He went to Palermo, then to Messina. He made damn sure Montgomery, and the British wouldn't get the glory.

[@amedeolivio534]

fun fact my great uncle was deployed in sicily to defend her in case of invasion, one day members of the mafia simply showed up to his unit and told him to go away because the allies were coming and he simply left

[@roiq5263]

Wait, this is really interesting. Was the mafia allied with the allies?

[@jackthorton10]

@@roiq5263 I believe so... with begrudgingly support from them, considering, you know, them being seen as elements of the criminal variety

[@TheLameFlameYT]

@@roiq5263 Yup, fascism basically almost eradicated organized crime but the roots were still there. Basically Cosa Nostra (Sicilian Mafia) wanted the fascists gone and so did the allies, thus an alliance was inevitable. Also, several prominent Cosa Nostra members got put into office in Sicily by the Allies in place of whoever was there during fascist rule.

[@roiq5263]

But the mafia also sank an allied ship in New York.

[@TheLameFlameYT]

@@roiq5263 "The Mafia" isn't one organization though. It's basically a category of organized crime.

[@connercadena5387]

If ordering all of your men to assault the enemy lines is a “light reconnaissance mission,” I don’t want to know what a full scale attack looks like

[@Palladiosios]

Barbarossa

[@jacobs279]

Rimworld moment

[@chrisd2051]

Look up June 6, 1944

[@fbi1319]

rimworld moment

[@SpaceMonkeyBoi]

Merica intensifies

[@historyguy7522]

germans would have won against the soviets if their troops wore vessi shoes.

[@morganv7895]

This needs more likes

[@markeos7753]

Forget logistics and manpower constraints we need better shoes- some German dude with a silly mustache

[@chris.3069]

69th like

[@micfail2]

@Markeos77 they actually did, that was one of their logistical issues. Due to the rubber shortage in Europe at the time the German military started issuing boots with cardboard soles

[@jackthorton10]

@@micfail2 Geez, talk about walking on the cheap.

[@kevinthemusician4767]

2:11 Im a hoi4 player and I know this for one thing... WHY ARE THEY GERMANY COMMANDING BRITISH AND AMERICAN FORCES!

[@dbkarman]

Yup

[@Deleted1]

I am glad he tried lol

[@jackcabadas3976]

A for effort

[@dwarvensphere1094]

Because its the map from HOI 3...

[@solidsnake6206]

Tag eng

[@alfredthegreatkingofwessex6838]

Historian: “At some point in time there was this thing called the Nazi Party” KZbin censorship: “ *HOW DARE YOU!?* “

[@fakedoorsfordinner1677]

Controversy: bad fair propaganda: great

[@HemlockRidge]

They've got NO problems with the Commies, though.

[@markhenley3097]

As far as I am concerned, merely mentioning the word ''Germany'' puts you under threat of censorship.

[@walnzell9328]

@@HemlockRidge Isorrowproductions had a video where he just read The Communist Manifesto. It was immediately demonetized and forcefully put on private. What's with this BS idea that left always means communist?

[@nerdomatic2489]

@@walnzell9328 The Communist Manifesto is one thing, "Soviet Union" is another. KZbin doesn't censor the latter. Point still stands.

[@cannonf_odder3041]

If the shoes are waterproof, how does one wash them

[@generalpepper2493]

I mean.. soap ain’t water

[@ayomrwhiteigotdrip6235]

with mayonnaise

[@iampurechaos]

with the blood of your enemies

[@gamers_anonymous]

Hydrochloric acid

[@felop1187]

Water proof water

[@C716.]

Alexander: Yes ehmm and then.. Patton: LEERRROOOOOYYY JENNNNKIIINNNNSSS!!!!!

[@riddemon]

I swear I thought this meme to be long dead :D

[@jcaliberty8288]

@@riddemon Legends never die

[@jona.scholt4362]

Goddamn Leroy! You didn't let them cast their intimidating shouts!

[@sven_86]

@@jona.scholt4362 At least I have chicken!

[@yuchongliu5951]

LEERRROOOOYYYYY JENNNNKKKKKKIIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSS!!!!!!!

[@ohno4262]

If this channel has taught me anything, it’s that most airborne assaults and operations just fail to go right.

[@susanmaggiora4800]

Oh No Yeah, there are so many variables that can go wrong. Pretty much any power that used airborne troops in WWII, stopped using them pretty quickly, though I will say that Market Garden could’ve worked if not for the fact that an armored division was refitting in the area. That’s more a failure of intelligence rather than the troops themselves (though, iirc, the Brits actually knew about the armored troops stationed there & didn’t take it properly into account).

[@Redtails_gaming]

The most common variable is just plain Confusion is the fog of war. The only thing that pull it together is the troops knowing their Obj and being able to operate independently

[@chartreux1532]

+Oh No I work as Historian here in Germany and having read a ton of Battle Reports of German Fallschirmjäger Missions (Both from Elite Units like the "Brandenburger" and just the normal ones) i also noticed how often such Assaults go wrong. I have not checked through the Reports from any Allied Nations yet, but i'm sure they had the same Experiences. One has to keep in mind that this kind of Troop was still in its Infancy during World War 2 Prost and Cheers from the Bavarian Alps

[@joaoostroski4778]

funnily enough, i think stalin and the soviet general staff might have known that, considering the fact the soviets weren't into that type of stuff. i'm now imagining what if the soviets tried to make extensive use of paratroopers and naval invasions insted of their standard infantary+artilery+tanks+other stuff tactics...

[@omarbradley6807]

@@joaoostroski4778 Well, look at the Theodosia landings in Kerch, it was pretty sucesful but then they dig and waited a counterattack, and well,

[@georgewilliam11]

Little disappointed that you didn't side note how the volcano was erupting during the battle

[@cristianvillanueva8782]

lol. What?

[@jamesmmcgill]

The God of War is angry!

[@jackthorton10]

@@jamesmmcgill So where does that leave Ares in all this? Surely Athena would have a say in this. But in all seriousness that is interesting to take note of

[@kevinconrad6156]

Except there were no Mt Etna eruptions in 1943.

[@kevinconrad6156]

Sorry, the NE crater was erupting between 1942 to 1944.

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

*Makes a Hearts of Iron 4 reference* I see you're a man of culture as well.

[@jeph115]

pog

[@TheWorldEnd2]

German reich making naval invasions using British and US troops. Classic (also, US is in the war but germany has only 70 factories, pretty shitty germany-player)

[@TheSatara88]

I see you everywhere ,Its kinda scary you like following me

[@adigabi1239]

I love hoi4

[@adgVelaepyaety]

Yo guy without a mustache

[@Vandelberger]

Allies: “The Romans will give us an intense fight” Italians: “you overestimate my moral”

[@saguntum-iberian-greekkons7014]

Hahaha Romans seeing cowards and surrendered Italians: 🤦‍♂️

[@MrWolf-xk8sl]

@@saguntum-iberian-greekkons7014 why cowards? Most of the Italians didn't want to fight and when did used poor machinery so actually they were very brave fighting knowing to be inferior ballistically. Also Italy was in a civil war during the war, because again the majority didn't want to be under Mussolini and the Germans.

[@trantor2135]

@@saguntum-iberian-greekkons7014 Romans seeing the brave Italian resistance and army ending the German occupation of Italy

[@Centurio_1]

@@MrWolf-xk8sl i wouldnt say the mayority. In fact, during the civil war, the RSI army (mussolinian-axis army) had more italian soldiers than the royal army (allies).

[@MrWolf-xk8sl]

@@Centurio_1 that's because when Italy divided herself, the RSI controlled the northern part which is the most populated, hence more troops to fill in.

[@will2003michael2003]

This was great, my grandpa’s uncle was combat engineer. He was a US soldier attached to a British unit in charge of holding and repairing one of the bridges in Sicily during the initial invasion. It was so cool as Kid sitting around and hearing the stories of snipers, underwater bridges, booby traps and his brief encounter with General Patton. This reminded me of these memories. Thanks

[@nickmerino9440]

What's an underwater bridge?

[@AatiNiiranen]

@@nickmerino9440 a bridge but just underwater?

[@TheNinjaDC]

As I recall, the Italian mafia(US and Italian) helped make this landing go smoother in terms of regional mapping, and getting local aid. The mob, didn't exactly get along well with fascists.

[@Discitus]

Mafias tend to hate authoritarians like fascists and Stalinists. They can pay off cops and judges and intimidate witnesses, but authoritarians don't bother with due process. Mussolini would have them shot in the streets. It's harder to operate a criminal enterprise when you have competition from the government.

[@jackthorton10]

@@Discitus When you have a mutual enemy, you are more than willing to work with those you would not usually work for under other premises.

[@marcello7781]

They didn't get along very well with US authorities too. The cooperation with Lucky Luciano was necessary to avoid further sabotages at the port of New York (since mafia bosses used to control the port syndicates), and in Sicily, in the aftermath of the invasion, mobsters proved to be not so reliable as expect, as captain William E. Scotten writes in his report "The problems of the Mafia in Sicily". But, as you said, they definitely hated Mussolini's regime, and as soon as the invasion started, they saw the opportunity, came and took advantage of the situation.

[@SantomPh]

The American Cosa Nostra did not help. One of the big bosses even lived in Rome and tried to get help from Mussolini

[@adamscott7354]

@@marcello7781 They also ran off any and all paper hangin sons o bitches trying to spark and spread localized pro nazi support, with the govt's approval, blind eye and even partial light support, due to its intensely unamerican nature.

[@Aerial_Morello]

The decision to put the Americans in a support role was a calculated one from the British perspective, after their disastrous performance at Kasserine pass in February there was a prevailing opinion amongst British commanders that the Yanks simply weren't up to the task of fighting. Montgomery even going so far to say “The real trouble with the Americans is that the soldiers won’t fight; they haven’t got the light of battle in their eyes. The reason they won’t fight is that they have no confidence in their generals.” After Harold assigned route 124 to Monty's sector it left Bradley and his generals furious, famously starting the rivalry between Patton and Monty but Patton remarkably accepted the order as it stood. Likely due to the recent dressing down Eisenhower had given him and his subsequent fear of dismissal due to Eisenhower being an Anglophile. Rommel however thought differently of the Americans, feeling they'd learnt a great deal from Kasserine with the high price they'd paid and sure enough he was right and the Americans proved it in Sicily.

[@kylelou1983]

And then Patton took most of the island and still broke them at the same time. Montgomery has his idiotic moments.

[@Septimus_ii]

Sicily proved that the Americans had learnt to fight but also that they were right to be wary of their generals - Patton repeatedly hindered his own allies and the broader campaign in order to win glory for himself

[@Aerial_Morello]

@@Septimus_ii The problem between the US army and the British army was that in the British army if an order sounded stupid you could call them on it and have no fear of dismissal but in the US army it was you follow orders full stop or you'll be dismissed and likely court martialed. The Americans proved they'd learnt their lesson in Sicily and army organisation reflected that.

[@drsch]

Oddly enough, it turned out Montgomery was the commander not up to the task and the war ended in spite of him.

[@Aerial_Morello]

@@drsch That's simply not true is it? Monty beat the Germans in North Africa, forcing them out of Egypt and across Libya whilst the Americans landed in Morocco and Algeria and pushed toward Tunisia to complete the push and proved his command sufficient, again in Tunisia itself repulsing an attack whilst the 8th army was overstretched and again in Italy. He constantly criticised Allied planning in Sicily and Italy remarking he was glad to leave the "Dog's breakfast" in December 1943 when he was transferred to prepare for D-Day. He planned a strategy playing on the American's strengths by reversing the roles of Sicily and having the British and Canadians form a hard shoulder to repulse German counterattacks while the Americans moved to take the Cotentin peninsula and Brittany wheeling south and then east to pincer the Germans at Caen but naturally faced fanatic resistance in the attempt on Caen from Kurt 'Panzer' Meyer's 12th SS Hitlerjugend division, the 1st SS Liebstandarte division and the 2nd SS Das Reich division all sent to face him as Stephen Badsey wrote the "Most forbidable" of all the German divisions based in France. Montgomery was a brilliant General same as Patton and Bradley, he's just unlikeable because he's so full of himself.

[@youroneblackfriend6321]

Airborne assault at Sicily: Is a bit of a disaster Command computer: *Information logs have been updated* Inter channel plans: Exists *Information logs have been corrupted*

[@laserdiscisawesome1263]

Alexander: I’m seeing a 33.33 repeating of course percentage of succeeding. It’s better than what we normally do Patton: *LEEEEEROOYYYYYY JEEEEEENKINNNNNNSSSS*

[@aleksandarvil5718]

*World of Warcraft players Joined The Server.*

[@VictorSilva-qf2tu]

Fun fact. Sir Alec Guinness, the actor who played obi wan kenobi in the original star wars trilogy, was a commander of one of the landing crafts for the royal navy at the time.

[@jamesmmcgill]

Italy: **Collapses into a civil war after losing an island to the Allied Forces and signed an armistice with the Allies** German Reich: That's it, I'll make them an offer they can't refuse! **Operation Achse initiated**

[@Kabutoes]

The Italian civil war then becomes: *The Italian War*

[@felop1187]

I see a new rule: EVERY SINGLE WWII VIDEO MUST ATLEAST HAVE 1 HOI 4 REFERENCE XD

[@p.f.886]

*My great-grandfather served in the Italian army during ww2.* I know little about him, as he died a couple years before I was born, but I know that he was drafted at the age of 22 at the outbreak of the war, and that he fought in Sicily against Allied landings of Operation Husky. *It's incredible to me,* especially after watching this video, *how he miraculously managed to survive such an hell.* Especially, keeping in mind how terribly equipped Italian soldiers were. *With what they were given, Italian soldiers managed to accomplish great things.* It's like trying to climb a mountain bare handed. Even if you fail in doing that, it's still incredible you even tried it.

[@spadezrblx8298]

Although, he was in the Axis army that does NOT make him bad! You did say he was DRAFTED meaning he didn't have a choice. I hope you and your family are doing okay. Know god is watching over you and your family.

[@oneballgaming1687]

@@spadezrblx8298 most axis soldiers were drafted or joined for their country even if they disliked the dictatators

[@oneballgaming1687]

@@spadezrblx8298 dictators*

[@kidfox3971]

My great grandfather was in the US Army in Italy 💪 🇺🇸

[@Real7419]

Allies: we have Hitler at home Hitler at home: 1:56

[@keevomora]

that's de Gaulle

[@Real7419]

@@keevomora and?

[@micronoice2387]

This is so good

[@joemamaobama6863]

good one mate

[@user-cy6wi4gy2g]

Mennn!!! thats Charlie

[@ederavila9206]

-"Benito, Churchill says we are the soft underbelly of Europe" -"Understood, we are looking..."

[@pascalhinterleitner8809]

Eisenhower realy be playing hoi4 CD

[@jackthorton10]

Let the Battle Commence!

[@physcofreaks]

My grandad was a british medic in one of those gliders that made it ashore, he and his team set up a field hospital in a small farmhouse that was attacked by the italians, previously they had captured an ammo cart from some italian troops which thankfully exploded as the italians attacked, they believed it to be british artillery in support and surrendered to 16th parachute field ambulance. My grandad passed away in 1993 but before he did wrote down some of his experiences from WW2 including being captured as a POW during operation market garden. He is my hero and always will be.

[@ELM.]

As a brazilian, I really hope you will show the FEB (força expedicionária brasileira) (in English, brazilian expeditionary force) during the Italian campaign

[@ivansonnerbrandt2395]

"Vegan materials" so, there are meat shoes?

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

Why do you think starving people boil their shoes?

[@shorewall]

Vegan shoes...so plastic. :D

[@This1Person]

Leather shoes...

[@Zerggodmaster]

do vegans eat shoes???

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

@@Zerggodmaster They eat crow, when, like I did, they discover it is the Diet Of Death.

[@terrypennington2519]

8:10 Alexander: Get back in support Montgomery! Patton: Ah they're just slowing me down. Besides, they're fine!

[@AD-cu3zj]

I wonder if Patton ever received any disciplinary consequence for his "reconnaissance mission".

[@kisaragi_san1378]

most successful reconnaissance mission ever devised

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

@@kisaragi_san1378 Since Guderian anyway.

[@shorewall]

If it hadn't worked, sure, but since it did... :D

[@omarbradley6807]

Why? because it stolen the glory from Monty? because if he wouldn't had break westwards, i doubt even of a succes there

[@matthewmac5787]

@@omarbradley6807 because it could have broken the military lines and caused a hole in the defences. which would have allowed the axis to cut off and surround the american charge (like the lost battalion in WW1) which could have gotten a lot of people killed and the british line to be stretched thin. And in fact even in this video it point out that his actions caused problems at 8:10 saying his actions caused british casualties and a stall in the eastern advance.

[@ChrisBoar]

Please don’t forget that Canadians were part of this invasion. My Canadian grandfather landed on those beaches, but died of malaria about a month later. He’s buried at the Canadian war cemetery in Algira.

[@smmlibary7832]

🫡🇨🇦. My old relatives also fought in North Africa where most of them were killed or captured

[@smmlibary7832]

Australians

[@siristheslayer1923]

Montgomery: You can do recon Patton: So anyway I started blasting

[@generalfred9426]

@John Cornell *PTSD

[@yusufziya7198]

Sicily in english : Sisili

[@MrBassmann15]

Patton: Hippity Hoppity, Sicily is now my property.

[@dakkarnemo1094]

My great great uncle, Michael Saleem, was in this invasion. He served as a medic in the 7th Army with one of the Native American brigades even though he was Syrian. He sadly died on the island.

[@tankmerc7632]

To anybody that cares my grandfather was in the OSS,Howard Edward Mcgaw Smyth and was in the division of southern Europe affairs.He helped in some planning of the invasion and was also on staff of captured German war documents at Whaddon Hall where the Marburg files were uncovered. He wrote some books notably Sicily and the surrender of Italy The Mediterranean theater with Ltc. Garland and the other book Sercrets of the Facists Era where he details how the Americans Captuered and archived literally tons of documents.I love this channel and I love History.

[@dog-ez2nu]

Ok, to everyone in the comments, OF COURSE they had to deal with the Mafia. Who do you think RAN southern Italy?

[@SantomPh]

The Mafia in Sicily only helped the Allies by providing information and provisions. They did not fight the Fascists themselves.

[@angelobalcueba7081]

Some guy pointed out that they even forgot to mention the volcano erupting during the war.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Mount Etna is so annoying! It always wants to int-erupt!

[@pikamonketchumlol1237]

kimmy is best comedian

[@tayzadayzah6681]

Feed your damn people Kim

[@emmanuelgarcia4425]

Good one...

[@Hectopath2006]

Why is it that everyone with a Kim Jong Un PFP gives off the exact same vibe?

[@sajidursajid2291]

@@Hectopath2006 Because it he himself

[@akashdubey7056]

Wow, I love this channel. You always use beautiful animations to show your content. Keep at it!

[@Anonymous-nd3kw]

4:19 Honestly, that perfectly encapsulated the relationship between the german and italian armies

[@sclice8680]

"...and the 1st waterproof shoes..." Me: huh, what? Who said that?!

[@Thebluernemace]

Ah Yes, the 1st Waterproof Shoe division...

[@jackthorton10]

@@Thebluernemace Only the finest men shall get the grandest in rubber shoes

[@jackthorton10]

@Velsen We will defeat tyranny through the might of rubber!

[@admiralfishchipsman573]

@@Thebluernemace do you know how Elite that unit is they killed Osama Bin Laden and captured Saddam Hussein crushed South American Communist movements and they are one of the most elite units in human history and could kill any other unit from any other army ever

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

My friend said he’s going to a fancy dress party dressed up as a small island off the coast of Italy. I said "don't be Sicily"

[@genarozetto4285]

Epic

[@nucleartv5115]

Why do you comment on every video

[@marinuswillett6147]

Sicily isn't small

[@sergiopiparo4084]

Both my father and my grandma also died when this invasion took place. I’m grateful for my family survival

[@FreedomFox1]

Nice work... you just keep upping your game, which is something to be proud of. I really dig the maps and stylized combat sequences. I also like the attention to detail in incorporating local landscapes and buildings. It’s stuff like this that inspires young adults to learn about history and the world around them. It’s too bad that KZbin is so hostile towards people producing educational videos of such high quality.

[@danielnavarro537]

Well the next video be the Italian Campaign? If it is I can't wait. From Naples, to Anzio, Monte Cassino, and Rimini. Keep up the good work.

[@jamespigeon1399]

alexander: I geuss you could scout ahead Patton: Takes the entire island

[@mightypirat9875]

So at least the scouting report will be absolutly waterproof when it states: No enemies in the scouted area.

[@lycaonpictus9662]

@John Cornell That's kind of the point of modern warfare. You attack where the enemy is weak, not where they are strong. To an extent its not even all that modern. "So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.” ---Sun Tzu

[@idontknowhatmynameshouldbe]

*Canada once again forgotten honestly not surprised* (also great video)

[@over6006]

Poor América jr

[@omarbradley6807]

at that time Cabada was part of the crown, now is part of usa, so...

[@alexseguin5245]

@@omarbradley6807 Canada had been independent for about 70 years by that point.

[@omarbradley6807]

@@alexseguin5245 Still a Conwealth, i don't deny their bravery, neither the fact who they should be included, but, with that criteria, we should include New Zelanders, Australians, South Africans, Indians, etc, if they would had been remarkable like at Normandy at Juno beach, they should be mentioned, but here is a simplistic, (very simplistic) acount of history, so he could not put details about every country units fighting, because it is irrelevant to the strategic and tactic outcome,

[@idontknowhatmynameshouldbe]

@@omarbradley6807 the brits hold barely any power anymore he could’ve at least gave Canada an mention

[@leoaero1948]

Man I really love your work..Hight Quality and Very detailed for less than the time of a feature full length documentary

[@thecommunistdoggo1008]

Thank you for the videos. They really brighten me day

[@alessandramontali7234]

Moral of the story: "if you are going to invade Russia don't wear Hugo Boss suits

[@johnpijano4786]

Hugo Boss did not design the suits, they just made them. It is like saying that an oversees factory company were the owners of the product just because they manufactured them. Karl Diebitsch is the man who designed the uniforms. Unlike Boss, he was part of the SS itself. Edit: Thx for Chilly tee for the correction from "hugo boss Designed them" to "Hugo boss made them"

[@johnpijano4786]

@Chilly T OML, thx mate.

[@This1Person]

Wrong invasion...

[@alessandramontali7234]

@@This1Person germany Lost the second world war and i was Just going to Say that when they Invaded Russia they should have weared Winter clothing not the Hugo Boss suits

[@This1Person]

@@alessandramontali7234 yes they did lose, partly because of operation barbarossa. But this Video is about the allied invasion of Sicily, not the german invasion of Russia. Comment is out of place.

[@r_rumenov]

These videos just keep getting better and better, I've been following your for years now and you never cease to amaze!

[@HistoryHustle]

Another masterpiece. Thanks AH team!

[@important6706]

Last time I was this early Italy was still part of the axis powers

[@robertcooper3551]

Mussolini was probably poking out the eyes of the allies troops with his chin as the were advancing

[@historyhub5389]

He blinded them with his shiny bald head

[@Gussyboy06]

@@historyhub5389 British soldier: SIR I CAN'T SEE I THINK MUSSOLINI IS LOOKING IN THE MIRROR

[@robertcooper3551]

@@Gussyboy06 lol

[@drinkyourwater1039]

the amount of effort put on this videos are astonishing, hope he grows even more

[@salmongamer5148]

Great video I’m really happy you made this for people you deserve all your subscribers and likes!

[@markmada3802]

The Axis could have repulsed the Invasion of Sicily if they wore Vessi Shoes.

[@seanmcbride8328]

I love the generals playing hoi4

[@neaheck4281]

An excelent video, Griff, (as usual )!

[@brotheriii6133]

The battle of Sicily was bloody. The battle was bad but the heat was worse. The new effects and animations in this video is awesome. 👍🏾😃👍🏾

[@gilbert5180]

Yet again a great video!

[@shanemize3775]

Very well done, as always! I had no idea that the Germans and Italians were able to evacuate most of their forces from the island at the end and that it was relatively bloodless. I always had the impression that it was terribly bloody and that the Axis armies surrendered. Very informative, as always. I love your videos and always learn from them. Please keep the outstanding videos coming and God bless you, my friend!

[@watcherzero5256]

Well the Italians did, the Germans left them behind.

[@hestler2984]

Perfect,love it,i always have a new history video after extra school!Thanks,made my day

[@EpicenterG0]

The quality of this one seems so have improved, really enjoyed it

[@gv9692]

Great job as usual! Quick note from an Italian speaker for those who are interested in pronunciation: the accent on Catania falls on the second “a”, so it’s “Catània”, not “Catanìa”.... accents in Italian are very hard for foreigners as we do not write them down ;)

[@superant2606]

Great video, as usual! Can you do the battle or Monte Cassino please? It's the most important battle in the Italian campaign but it's largely ignored because it happened shortly before D-day. Thanks

[@thegoodfolk]

Great stuff. Your presentation has greatly improved the sound and animation are excellent. Coverage of event is also good but any analysis you do is lacking. I hope that improves as much as the rest of your work.

[@matthewmcelrath3818]

The content quality on this channel is mind boggling. Way to go!

[@calfencer]

My uncle Jimmy (Diego) was there during the invasion. He was giving a new name and US citizenship there in Sicily. He told only me of a war story fit for a movie - not even his children knew.

[@luminousjelly5955]

Let’s go I’ve been waiting so long for this

[@themfguy5702]

Amazing work as always, it's always so fun to watch. I would very much enjoy to see a video on the siege of budabpest

[@kompav5621]

The animation and artistic quality has considerably gone up since some of his older videos. Keep it up, doing service to good history!

[@virusofwisdom3096]

Italy: **Government collapses into a civil war after losing an island** Germany who resisted till the bitter end: *Shame*

[@TheAngelobarker]

Italy *soldiers fight to the end In el alamein,tunisia, east africa, and russia while the Germans ran away at el alamein, russia, and the tunisian front....not to mention the promised air cover at matapan(the Germans sent one unarmed ju88) and the german lies about sinking the allied carriers. Gtfo with this tedeschi crap

[@africalovesbait]

@@TheAngelobarker what? The Germans had full control of Tunisia. That was the country they took for themselves in Africa. And they fought there until there was literally no territory left there to defend. Also there were very little Italian operations that succeeded.

[@TheAngelobarker]

@@africalovesbait the Germans surrendered before the Italians in tunisia messe even offered to fight to the death when the Germans abandoned his flank yet Mussolini ordered him to surrender....12th of june he sent that transmission to commando supremo. The Germans surrendered may 12th under arnim. But nice try tho

[@FortuneZer0]

@@TheAngelobarker Italy getting wrecked by the greeks and almost get pushed back into the sea in albania werent it for big daddy strange moustache guy.

[@TheAngelobarker]

@@FortuneZer0 I mean yeah that'll happen when you ignore your entire general staff to the point the quit while your entire army is fighting on three other fronts leaving only inexperienced units. Tho tbh even if germany hadn't intervened Italy would have won just down to the fact the greeks were out of ammunition, had no effective navy, and had no air force, not to mention no industry even in compared with Italy. The greeks were excellent soldiers but at the point the Germans invaded they had less than a week's worth of ammunition left.

[@josiasbernard7618]

Pumping videos in record time Yo!

[@icantcomeupwithagoodusername24]

I have been waiting for a video about this

[@juicycartoon157]

I remeber watching you do this in a livesteam, it was pretty cool, im glad to see this video!

[@SkinnyZiggy]

Love that Hearts of Iron 4 battleplan art.

[@wellingtonastudillo6448]

Lol they even put in the HOI V tab interface

[@Leafy-ut6xc]

I will say germany controlling the invasion is one discrepancy

[@Waterford1992]

@@wellingtonastudillo6448 There is no Hearts of Iron V yet

[@thinkersreasoning1575]

I never expected this to be on my Notifications 12 Minutes ago.

[@corrat4866]

Hello, Rick...

[@davebearman3114]

Love the artwork and effects put into the videos recently. A lot of work gone in to them, clearly

[@kaboon3489]

Hello Armchair historian! Another great video, just like usual. As the next video will be about the allied campaign in the rest of the Italian peninsula, you could mention the Brazillian Expeditionary Force that fought there, it's one of the few things us brazillians can feel proud of in our military history.

[@humblethrone8480]

I do have a soft spot for the Italians they were pushed into a war which they didnt want to be in there logistics where terrible their war economy was terrible and why? Because one guy wanted the glory of the roman empire restored in the "modern" era and yet they fought on for about 4 years with poor equipment a lot of poor generals and pretty low moral and yet still pushed on to make this happen even when the entire world is against them.

[@davidfox2056]

Actually neither Benito Mussolini wanted to join the war but the axos had rules.

[@MrWolf-xk8sl]

This is exactly what most uneducated people don't understand and portray the usual stereotype of "coward" Italians. Italians in WW1 on the other hand, had a reason to fight and did it honourably. With a mean age of around 20, bringing cannons up the Alps, fighting with permafrost and also against General Cadorna who was a very old minded general which didn't have a single notch of humanity towards Italian soldiers. Thankfully he was changed by Gen. Diaz and the rest is history.

[@humblethrone8480]

@@MrWolf-xk8sl I never said they were cowards though i do understand that Italy has been mocked for years due to the "switching sides" thing and the "re-fight the last war syndrome". They had victories and Rommel even wrote "The German soldier has impressed the world, The Italian Bersagiell has impressed the German soldier" this especially come into head at the defence of El Ahlamain where they held the line for Rommel to escape. However though that doesn't stop their equipment being bad they had some good weapons the Beretta 1938A (which was prized by Americans) but when a lot of the soldiers are using weapons from the great war and before it puts it into perspective It doesn't stop the fact their logistics were awful and this is really shown in the Greek war in 41' planning to take the country with about 3-5 weeks of equipment when they need at least 3-6 months worth. It doesn't stop their tanks from being awful the crew can be motivated and charge headlong into anything but when driving what is essenncially a modified Vickers 6 ton against Shermans T-34s KV1s and even captured German vehicles it puts into perspective of out classed they really were. I know i seem like an ass for putting this much information down on a comment that a lot of people probably wont read and im not trying to "flex" on how much i know im just saying economically, logistically and in terms of research they couldn't keep up with the other nations

[@MrWolf-xk8sl]

@@humblethrone8480 my comment wasn't towards you!

[@MrWolf-xk8sl]

@@humblethrone8480 I'm sorry you understood my comment the wrong way, perhaps I should have expressed my words better, but I was using your explanation against the uneducated people.

[@donz6211]

"Made from 100% vegan materials." Lol, what the hell?!? 🤣😂🤣

[@contentdeleted6428]

Why are you laughing? Never heard of veganism? It means there no materials made of animals

[@BrettTheThreat]

@The Armchair Historian, love your channel keep it up!

[@giuliobecchio4293]

As usual an approssimative analysis, a rhapsodic narration of the events and a tendencious approach to the matter. At this point, frankly, not a surprise anymore.

[@RebornFitz]

8:06 why did I laugh so hard at this

[@theonlymexicanman4422]

You should have brought up “Operation Mincemeat”. It wasn’t vital to Husky since victory was basically inevitable but it did end up probably saving the lives of countless allied troops

[@LEFT4BASS]

He did bring it onscreen, even though he didn’t mention it verbally.

[@22espec]

Yo also notice that he didn't want to mention the Biscari Massacre

[@naveennidhurshan6939]

Great video as usual. Very informative.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

Your best graphics so far...By far!

[@eliomilitello1976]

Cool video. Too ironic aboout italian fight tho. Again, great job

[@grubmane2030]

Its pronounced “Ka-tahn-ya” Source: I live here lol

[@Vessi]

Awesome video! This was super informational 😊

[@gilbertzan]

Better late than never, suggesting you AH guys to depict one more masterpiece just like this one. One about Monte Cassino Battle. Although nicknamed D-Day Dodgers, soldiers from half the planet had fought there (Polish, French, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Nepal, South Africa (including Brazilian soldiers from ad hoc hastily created Brazilian Expeditionary Force). Particularly those who hadn´t been told and neither had the slightest idea who they were supposed to go up against till the last minute. As far as the history books, the battle would've been an easy one to be achieved. But the casualties and the many stories were impressive, even after almost 75 years ago. Also last but not least, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@maryamazad9910]

When your just a couple hours late but the video is already demonitized

[@Gussyboy06]

2:09 Wait you're playing as Germany with British and American troops invading Italy, BUT HOW THE HELL DO YOU STILL HAVE 1.3 MILLION MANPOWER MID WAR

[@Magnusthered18]

It's pretty easy

[@Magnusthered18]

Just raise the recruitable pov

[@Gussyboy06]

@@Magnusthered18 if you couldn't tell I was joking

[@lurg5049]

You're not gonna talk about only having 70 factories total by 1943 WITH France's industry?

[@FinnishFuturist]

Really enjoyed the animations in this one!

[@aaravtulsyan]

Who all remember playing this is in COD II- The Big Red One

[@Miku-fz2iv]

That HOI4 art had the German Flag? Did you turn on Non-Historical? Come on!

[@filip36365]

Its cause youtube demonitizes everything with a nazi flag. KZbin acting like nazis to erase history

[@EndOfSmallSanctuary97]

@@filip36365 KZbin is run by commies, not Nazis. Don’t mix it up.

[@germankaiser7309]

@@filip36365 Lol nazis did not Erase history Commies erase History Nazis Erase everything against them

[@PauaP]

This comment section just gave me a headache.

[@eragonlindemann7236]

@@filip36365 the player was commanding Anglo-American units. And was the Nazi German flag in game. It’s not about a conspiracy.

[@Thebossstage1]

4:47 I wonder if he's regretting his life choices

[@yenc_i]

This animation is beyond amazing!