Halt at Simeto

After the hard fought Canadian victories at Catenanuova, Regalbuto, Centuripe and the Troina Valley the key town of Adrano was captured on the 7th of August 1943 by the British 78th Division which forced the Germans to retreat and marked the finale of Operation Hardgate. For the Canadians this also marked the wind down of operations in Sicily. The 1st Canadian Army Tank Brigade would still be needed when The Ontario Regiment was tasked to support the allied drive to Messina.

From 11-13th of August the 1st Canadian Infantry Division was officially relieved of its operational duties and was passed into the army reserve. The Canadians were consolidated around Militello, not far from Grammichele which only a few weeks prior was taken by The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment where Canadians encountered German forces in Sicily for the first time. The Regiment also took advantage of the break from battle for some much needed rest and relaxation by constructing pools to cool off in the hot Sicilian heat.

“Completed by noon, the dam was 30 feet long and 10 ft high, sufficient to contain a pool big enough for 2 pls to use at one time… A second pool was built by the offrs and all ranks made maximum use of the pools”.

On the 10th of August the 1st Canadian Infantry Division was put under the command of British General Miles Dempsey’s 13th Corps which was subsequently passed into the control of 30th Corps where the 1st Canadian Infantry Division would be chosen to take part in the invasion of mainland Italy.