Major Defensive Lines in Italy | The Invasion of Sicily and the Italian Campaign | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars | From Vimy to Juno: Canadians Through Two World Wars

Canadians had to break through three major German defensive lines in Italy. The Hitler Line was breached in May 1944. The Gustav line, breached soon after, extended from Cassino (approximately found at #5 on the map), to the coast south of Rome. The northern Gothic line was not breached until September 1944.

The Canadian advance, denoted using a deep red line, begins at Pachino (Sicily), and advances through Catania (Sicily), Messina (Sicily), Reggio di Calabria, Potenza, Foggia, Campobasso, Ortona, Pescara, towards Rome, Florence, Ravenna, and Rimini. 7 key events or locations are marked. Please find transcription below.

Map shows Italy and Sicily, as well as nearby islands. Direction of Canadian advances are shown, as well as major German defensive lines. Landmarks noted in transcription. — (Dr. Mike Bechthold.)

*The 7 key events marked on the map are transcribed.*

1. Landing in Sicily – 10 July 1943 (Pachino, Sicily)

2. Crossing the Straits of Messina – Sep 1943 (Messina, Sicily / Reggio di Calabria)

3. Moro River – Nov-Dec 1943

4. Ortona – Dec 1943

5. Hitler Line – May 1944 (south of Rome, west of the Moro River)

6. Gothic Line – Aug-Sep 1944 (spanning the peninsula, between Bologna and Florence

7. Battle of the Rivers – December 1944 (North of Ravenna)

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