After the fall of Sicily [18th August] work was immediately begun on the invasion of the Italian mainland. The British 8th Army crossed the Straits of Messina on the 3rd September. The American 5th Army [US Sixth and British Tenth Corps] landed just south of Naples. The rapidly organized defence by the German 10th Army was unexpectedly strong. On the 11th Sept. a powerful Panzer armoured thrust almost cut the beachhead in half. Reinforcements were thrown in and by the 15th Sept. the beachhead was secure. The Germans withdrew from contact as elements of the British 8th Army approached from the south. Contact was made between the two Allied armies, 16th Sept.and the beachhead fully consolidated by the 18th Sept.

On the west coast of Italy, south of Naples, between Paestum and Maiori. (Italy)