There is not only June 6 in the history of the 1939-1945 War. The Landing of June 6, 1944 tends, through its gigantism, its dramaturgy, its violence, to overshadow many other episodes. In particular, a whole series of other landings which each had their importance in the course of the conflict.
November 2023, Hervé Morin, president of Normandy, leads a mission to Sicily. Objective: to renew relations between the two regions around the two tourist themes. Mainly on the Norman period from Sicily to the 11the and XIIe centuries and, why not, on the landings of the Second World War, in July 1943 for Sicily and in June 1944 for Normandy.
What memory persists?
If the heritage of the Norman kings of Sicily is obvious, the memory of the Allied landing on the Sicilian beaches, July 10, 1943, is today rather discreet.
However, faced with the president of Normandy, Sicilian elected officials are increasing their enthusiasm. The mayor of Gela opens the ban: “This story of the Second World War brings us together. » On July 10, 1943, shortly after midnight, the Americans of the 1D US infantry division landed on Gela beach and quickly established a beachhead.
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About thirty kilometers from Gela, Licata, another landing beach. Maria Sitibondo is deputy in charge of tourism: “This story is very important for our town. It is very symbolic, notably with the first photo of an American flag hanging at the top of the city hall tower. »
The Sicilian elected official continues: “Eighty years later, we are very proud to have participated in the history of Europe and its Liberation….
