On this day 1943: Allied troops invade mainland Italy

British troops have landed on the Italian mainland four years to the day after war was declared on Germany. Their arrival in the "toe" of Italy follows two days of heavy bombardment by warships and Flying Fortresses of railways and communication lines. After crossing the Straits of Messina from Sicily to mainland Italy, British and Canadian troops of the 8th Army met little resistance at the port of Reggio di Calabria.