Editor's Research: Operation Baytown Series, Parts 1 - 11

 Featuring Canadian Sailors in the 80th Flotilla of Landing Crafts 

Navy Memoirs and News Clippings from The Winnipeg Tribune

Illustration from ECLIPSE by Alan Moorehead

Introduction:

Operation Baytown was the name of the Allied invasion of Italy beginning September 3, 1943 upon the toe of Italy's boot. It was the first of three invasions upon Italy's mainland and Italy capitulated soon thereafter. Landings at Taranto (Italy's heel) and Salerno (the shin, near Naples) soon followed Baytown.

The Canadian 80th Flotilla of Landing Crafts was active in the initial landing and supported British and Canadian troops into early October, chiefly by transporting troops and the materiel of war from, e.g.,  Santa Teresa di Riva (initially), and later Messina, where opportunities existed to use larger port facilities and find some type of substantial accommodation for landing craft personnel. 

This series contains several highlights, e.g., a newspaper article featuring several members of the 80th Flotilla, important details re the impact of the invasion, and a link to what came next (i.e., from Baytown to Paytown; Canadian sailors picked up their pay in the UK, painted the town brown, returned to Canada on extended leave, volunteered for further service.....)

The Royal 22 Regiment lands on the beaches at Reggio, September 3, 1943

"Canadian soldiers and Canadian sailors were operating together at last."

Photo - Alexander M. Stirton. Department of National Defence,

National Archives of Canada, PA-177114.

Part 1 - Articles, Context from The Winnipeg Tribune, Aug. 24 - 27, '43

Part 2 - Articles, Context from The Winnipeg Tribune, Aug. 28 - 31, '43

Part 3 - Articles, Context From The Winnipeg Tribune, September 1 - 2, '43

The non-stop 'back and forth' of troops and supplies during Operation Baytown

took place between Messina and Santa Teresa di Riva, as on above map.

Part 4a - Articles, Context from The Winnipeg Tribune, September 3, '43

Part 4b - More Articles, Context from The Winnipeg Tribune, Sept. 3, '43

Part 5 - Articles, Context from The Winnipeg Tribune, Sept. 4, '43

Canadian war correspondent Ross Munro often landed ahead of other writers.

Occasionally he "scooped the world." Sept. 4, 1943, The Winnipeg Tribune

Part 6 - Starring "Miss Canada" and a Darn Good Rum Story

Part 7 - PM Churchill's Full Report, and Housing Issues 

Part 8 - Italy's Surrender ("Flusho!") and Many Mosquitoes

Part 9 - Featuring 'Operation Avalanche,' and the White Ensign

Part 10a - News re "Salerno Slog, Sicily Parties, RCAF F/O J. Vasicek"

Part 10b - The Fate of the Mosquito Bomber, Post - World War II

Part 11a - Conclusion of Baytown and Cashing Out in Paytown

Part 11b - A Reader's Letter Hits Home, and More

As well, please link to the following link for more information about Canadians in Combined Operations - "There's a War On" (Tough Slog). Berlin Feels the Hits. 

Unattributed Photos GH