September 3
Mediterranean, Italy
General Bernard Montgomery's Eighth Army crosses from Sicily to seize a bridgehead in Calabria. The British encounter little opposition as the Germans in southern Italy have orders to withdraw. September 4-5
Pacific, Papua New Guinea
An Allied offensive is launched to capture the major settlement and airfield at Lae. Amphibious landings are made around 20 miles (30 km) east of Lae on the 4th. US paratroopers land at Nadzeb on the 5th and begin securing the Markham River valley. September 8
Politics, Italy
The surrender of Italy is officially announced by the Allies. German forces take over the north of the country and occupy coastal defenses in anticipation of a major Allied invasion. They disarm Italian ground units but the navy succeeds in sending 24 warships to Malta. September 9
Mediterranean, Italy
Lieutenant General Mark Clark's US Fifth Army, plus the British X Corps, lands in the Gulf of Salerno. September 10-11
Mediterranean, Sardinia/Corsica
The Germans withdraws 25,000 men from Sardinia to Italy, via Corsica. A 7000-strong French and US force leaves Algeria to occupy Corsica at the beginning of October. September 11-15
Pacific, Papua New Guinea
Salamaua is captured on the 11th and Lae four days later.These victories deny the Japanese a key port and airfield. The Japanese are now left occupying the Finschhafen fort. The fort has to be taken to clear the peninsula, which is adjacent to the sea approaches to New Britain - the next Allied objective.  Jubilant German paratroopers photographed afetr their rescue of Mussolini from the Gran Sasso hotel September 12
Politics, Italy
German airborne troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Otto Skorzeny rescue Mussolini from imprisonment in Gran Sasso in the Abruzzi Mountains. Mussolini, however, will now be under Germany's control. September 12-18
Mediterranean, Italy
German forces fiercely counterattack the Allies around Salerno and threaten the entire bridgehead. Only massive aerial and artillery support saves the besieged Allied units. prev | next |
