Allied Invasion of Sicily - Aftermath

Aftermath

The Sicily campaign had cost the Allies nearly 25,000 casualties. US forces had lost a total of 9,968 men, including 2,899 killed or missing, 6,471 wounded and 598 captured. Total British losses were 12,568 men, including 2,376 killed or missing, 7,548 wounded and 2,644 captured. Canadian forces had suffered 2,310 casualties, including 562 killed, 1,664 wounded, and 84 captured.

German units had lost about 12,000 men killed and captured, total losses including wounded probably totaled about 20,000. The Italian 6th army had lost 147,000 men, mostly prisoners.

The Allied command was forced to improve interservice coordination, particularly with regard to use of airborne forces. After several misdrops and the deadly "friendly fire" incident, increased training and some tactical changes kept the paratroopers in the war. Indeed, a few months later, the initial assessment of the Operation Overlord plan included a request for four airborne divisions.

On July 14, American soldiers executed 74 Italian and two German prisoners of war during two separate massacres at Biscari airfield. Two soldiers were charged for this war crime; one was convicted and sentenced to life in prison (later commuted) and another was acquitted.