Capturing Agira

After the capture of Leonforte and Assoro, the Canadians continued their advance and were tasked with taking the hilltop town of Agira next. Agira would prove to be a hard fought objective as the Canadians had to secure three ridges at the base of an ancient town codenamed “Lion”, “Tiger” and “Grizzly”. Sherman tanks from the Three Rivers Regiment along with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry would take “Lion” ridge on their third attempt with support from one of the largest artillery programs fired in Sicily up to this point.

A follow up attack on the next ridge “Tiger” was halted by the German defenders but would eventually fall into Canadian hands by the morning of the 27th of July. The third ridge, “Grizzly” known natively as Monte Fronte was assaulted by the Seaforth Highlanders.

After a fierce battle that involved scaling 300 foot cliffs and repelling German bayonet attacks, “Grizzly” was declared secured by the afternoon of the 28th. The road was now open to Agira for the PPCLI and General Simonds organized a full artillery attack to support them. Luckily, the barrage was called off after an observation officer spotted the streets full of Italian civilians and the PPCLI moved forward and after clearing the town of light German resistance, Agira was liberated by the end of the 28th.

Sources

https://www.seaforthhighlanders.ca/events/163

Stacey, C. P., and G. W. L. Nicholson. Official History of the Canadian Army in the Second World War. Vol. 2. Ottawa: Duhamel, 1966.