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AN EVENING TALK BY NICK HEWITT

6.15 PM MONDAY 30 MARCH 2010

IN THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS MUSEUM
 

On 10 July 1943 the Allies, from their bases in North Africa, stormed the beaches of Sicily, beginning nearly two years of gruelling fighting in Italy against an often determined, well-led German army. By the end of the campaign, the Allied armies had sustained over 300,000 casualties, including 59,000 killed. But was it worth the sacrifice? Some argue that it was an unnecessary diversion of Allied resources from NW Europe, others that it was crucial in tying down German divisions that might otherwise have opposed the Allied advance from Normandy to the Baltic.

Nick Hewitt, principal historian at the Imperial War Museum, will examine the background to the Italian campaign and assess the extent to which it achieved its strategic purpose, in particular, whether it was a masterstroke or mission creep.

“Men of the Durham Light Infantry (now The Rifles) advance through the ruins of Cassino, May 1944. (Courtesy IWM)”

Tickets for the talk, including a glass (or two) of wine plus up-market nibbles after the talk, cost £15 per person (£12.50 for Friends of the Museum). Tickets must be booked in advance through the Museum Curator, Mrs Christine Pullen, at:

The Royal Green Jackets Museum,
Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road,
Winchester, Hants, SO23 8TS
Tel: 01962 828549 Fax: 01962 828534
e-mail: museum@royalgreenjackets.co.uk

The Royal Green Jackets Museum is located just off the Romsey Road (A3090/B3040), on the right 100 metres from the main gate of Peninsula Barracks. Free car parking will be available in designated spaces for those holding tickets for the talk. Please follow the directions on arrival as vehicle clamping is in operation for illegal parking.