Operation Slapstick

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Operation Slapstick was a part of the Allied invasion of Italy during World War II on 9 September 1943.

The operation consisted of the landing by sea of the British 1st Airborne Division at Taranto, an important naval base. Since the Italian government had surrendered the previous day and few German forces were in the area the troops were landed directly into the port from warships rather than carrying out an amphibious assault. Resistance was slight and the town and ports were captured almost immediately with few losses.

The US Fifth Army also landed at Salerno on the same day. Allied troops had previously occupied the 'toe' of Italy in Operation Baytown.

[edit] External links

• Royal Engineers Museum Royal Engineers and Second World War (Italian Campaign)