Charles Whiting Slaughter Over Sicily

The forgotten story of how one of the biggest aerial assaults in history ended in utter disaster. Perfect for fans of Max Hastings, James Holland and Alex Kershaw. Operation Husky initiated the bloody invasion of Italy and was kickstarted by a monumental airborne invasion. The American 82nd and British 1st Airborne Division were planned to launch four drops of paratroopers, yet they all ended as catastrophes. Friendly fire destroyed aircraft before they even reached their destinations, gliders plunged into the Mediterranean, and paratroopers were dropped hundreds of miles away from their targets. Charles Whiting draws upon information from many of the participants to provide a vivid narrative of this tragic assault. He uncovers how even from the planning stages the aerial attack was doomed, and it was only through the inspired leadership of those at and below battalion level that more American and British troops did not lose their lives. Slaughter Over Sicily should be essential reading for all interested in learning more about the catastrophic beginnings of how the Allies invaded Europe in the summer of 1943. 'well-written ... entertaining' Armor