Operation Husky 80th Anniversary at Sicilian War Cemeteries

On Sunday 9th July 2023, Commonwealth War Graves commemorated the 80th anniversary of Operation Husky at Catania and Syracuse War Cemeteries in Sicily, Italy.

The first day’s ceremonies occurred at Catania War Cemetery at 12.00 pm.

CWGC’s Country Manager for Italy, Claudia Scimonelli, was joined in a wreath-laying ceremony by distinguished guests including:

• HM Ambassador to Italy Edward Llewellyn OBE
• Canadian Defence Attaché Captain André Bosjioli
• General Maurizio Angelo Scardino, Commander of the Italian Army in Sicily
• Officers from the NATO base at Sigonella

The ceremony was also attended by members of the Commonwealth War Graves horticultural team who do such an outstanding job ensuring our Sicilian war cemeteries stay in top condition.

The day's second ceremony was held at Syracuse War Cemetery at 6.00 pm after the ceremonies at Catania.

This time, Claudia was joined by CWGC gardener Carmelo Ciraudo during the wreath laying. Our guests from Catania also joined us at Syracuse. Commonwealth War Graves would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended.

Operation Husky was the Allied invasion of Sicily. 

On the night of 9th-10th July 1943, a massive force of over 180,000 Commonwealth and US troops invaded an amphibious assault on Sicily as the first stage of the Italian campaign.

Commonwealth War Graves commemorate over 3,600 casualties of Operation Husky at three sites: Catania, Syracuse, Agira.