Since people are mentioning the invasion of Sicily, if anyone is interested in a unique perspective of the planning leading up to the invasion I would highly reccomend the book Operation: Mincemeat. It was a British covert exercise to try and convince the axis powers that we were going to bypass Sicily even though it was onvious we weren't.

Sorry Ive been away for awhile. It has been hectic.

As many of you know, I am diligently working on writing a precise and extended history of the 540th. But as you also know, all this takes time. Read, compile, read, compile, type, type, type, read some more...

Well in the meantime, I can give everyone a little sneak preview of the 540th in Sicily. This is basically a brief history and there's a lot more come...

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Sicilian Campaign

The organization landed on D-Day, July 10 for operation “Huskyâ€, on the hostile shores of Sicily. Regimental HQ, H&S Company (dad's company), Medical Detachment and the 1st Battalion landed at Gela, Sicily as the part of Sub-Task Force, “Koolâ€. The 2nd Battalion landed at Licata, Sicily as part of Sub-Task Force, “Jossâ€.

On both beaches the regimental units acted as shore engineers for the divisions to which they were attached for the operation. They unloaded transports and Liberty Ships, operated DUKWS from ship to shore, established dumps and performed the multitude of tasks assigned to the engineers.

They supplied the 2nd Armored Division, 1st, 3rd and 45th Infantry Divisions and the 82nd Airborne Division. This included running truck convoys to the front lines in order to transport sorely needed food and ammunition to combat elements. In addition, an efficient motor pool was operated for the maintenance of unit and attached unit vehicles.

On July 25, the organization (less 2nd Battalion) moved to Palermo and prepared the port for operation, while the 2nd Battalion remained in Licata operating the port and beaches. 1st Armored Corps had been redesignated 7th Army under the command of Lt General George W Patton and the organization was attached to the 7th Army.

As soon as the harbor of Palermo was repaired, regularly assigned port battalions took over operations. On July 30, Company A moved to Termini Imerese. Upon being relieved of operations of the Port of Licata, the 2nd Battalion moved to Palermo on July 31. The 1st Battalion (less Company A) moved to Termini Imerese on August 1 to repair and operate the port. The rear echelon of four officers, one warrant officer and one hundred and thirty-four enlisted men arrived at Palermo on August 4. Companies D and E (Aug 2) and 2nd Battalion HQ and Company F (Aug 4), moved to San Stefano and then eastward along the northern shore of Sicily establishing unloading points for landing ship tanks, (LST’s) to supply tactical units.

At Brolo, the 2nd Battalion supported the infantry on two missions, which materially helped in the advance on Messina and the consequent clearing of the enemy from the entire island of Sicily. The first of those missions took place on August 8 when a battalion detachment of one officer and 48 enlisted men functioned as landing party and shore engineers for an assault landing behind the enemy lines in the vicinity of St Agata. The landing came as a complete surprise to the enemy and the detachment from the battalion suffered no casualties.

Three days later, the second amphibious landing took place. The battalion attachment of one officer and 48 enlisted men again functioned as the beach party and shore engineers for an assault landing behind the enemy lines vicinity of Brolo. This landing met stiff resistance, resulting in the loss of two engineers with three wounded. Shortly after both of these amphibious landings, enemy resistance collapsed, and Messina fell to the allies on the 17 of August 1943, ending the Sicilian campaign.

A few photos...

This is what I found in different Books

There were separate uniforms for parade,inspections and combat.

Combat uniform was the Class A uniforms

but no blouse or tie. The G.I. had

only 3 type uniforms. Suntan shirt and pants for summer,

O.D.'s for winter and hbt fatigues for K.P.

or some work parties. All but the O.D.'s were left

when going to the ETO. Some mechanic types probably used hbt fatigues

but line troops used the O.D.'s. In thePhilippines we wore fatigues.

The Uniform coat has a Government tag inside marked "jacket Field Wool O.D. size 36S QM Depo and a lot of quarter master numbers plus the date 1944"

U.S. WWII 1944 Jungle Combat fatique jacket. In 1944 the Military changed the Jungle two-piece Combat Fatiques from the Camouflage issue to the #7 Dark Green harringbone twill issue.

Art

My new friend Colin (you may have seen his posts here on the site this week) is doing research on the Sicilian campaign and is planning another trip this spring.

We were discussing the 540th Combat Engineers and the role they played in this campaign. I also told him that my mom's parents were from Sicily and he wanted me to let him know where they were from. So here's a little info for all:

The 540th Combat Engineers landed at Licata and Gela. They proceeded north and went all the way up to Palermo and Termini Imerese. Go Patton!!

Our family is from Marsala. There are also a lot of Pumas living in Trapani.

The above map is from Multi Map. Give them a try. Very good service.

The Air Force engineers can wear the “combat patch†throughout their deployment. Soldiers awarded the patch have the option to continue wearing the shoulder-sleeve insignia throughout their Army careers. Regulations permitting the Airmen to wear the patch when they return to their duty station are being reviewed, officials said.

With or without the patch, improving the quality of life for deployed troops and Afghans is what keeps these engineers drawing up designs well into the end of the shift some nights, Colonel Blanzy said.

“These guys have never shirked from any job they’ve been given because they know we’re all working for a greater purpose,†he said. “It’s tough at times -- they have careers at home that are on hold and [a] family they miss being away from, but they continue giving 100 percent.â€