Slaughter Over Sicily: The Airborne Massacre

By Charles Whiting

Book Overview

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

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0854954317
• ISBN13: 9780854954315
• Release Date: January 2025
• Publisher: Sapere Books
• Length: 258 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Concise Coverage of the Defeat of 6th Army at Stalingrad

I didn't know anything about the author but since its about Stalingrad I had to read it. I'm glad I did; its an articulate informative rendition of the assault on the city. If you're new to the subject, it would be a good place to start for it gives you the key events in a easy to understand package. The book is not like the tactical blow by blow description of Glantz nor is it like the human interest stories of Beevor. This book is very similar to the fine book by Stephen Walsh. The author does interject many diary entries to add to the story. There are 16 maps showing the progress of Paulus as he attacks the city. Maps of Zhukov's counterattack are also present. There are a few photos. The first couple chapters are an introduction to Hitler and the preparation of the initial invasion of Russia and it is followed by the preparations for Operation Blue. The author has a keen interest in statistics and peppers the story with numbers where pertinent - sizes of armies, number of tanks, number dead or wounded etc. The preliminary actions at the beginning of the campaign is light but the coverage improves as Paulus crosses the Don and heads for Stalingrad. The author mentions the key events of the assault of the city and the stiff resistance of Chuikov's forces. Operation Uranus and the envelopment is covered and finally the last days of containment and surrender of Paulus finishes the book. Manstein's Operation Winter Storm relief attempt and Operation Little Saturn are mentioned but not covered. Throughout the book, the author is critical of Hitler and to a lesser extent of Paulus for their bad judgment and gives poignant comments to defend his statements. The errors of Paulus' brute force techniques for taking the city are listed and suggestions for a better battle plan are stated. The author also discuses the alternatives for protecting the northern flank from counterattack that Hitler rejected. I would suggest that even if your well read on the assault, this book would still be a good addition to your library.

Meticulously researched and well-written account.

Tarrant has presented the full story of the struggle for Stalingrad including the first year of Operation Barbarossa and his fatal decisions which followed. These decisions cost the German Army in excess of 250,000 of their most experienced troops. Through translations of communiques and actual orders sent by Hitler to his commanders, we see the tragedy as it unfolds: Hitler's generals asking for a fighting withdrawl to save the beleagured 6th Army and Hitler's fear of damage to his "prestige", a fear to which he would sacrifice over a quarter of a million of his bravest soldiers. Their suffering, and the way they endured it to the very end, are what make this a powerful story which should never be forgotten and a powerful argument against war in general.