A Sherman Tank passes through an imposing arch into the town of Cassibile, on the coastal road between Syracuse and Avola, a sector overrun by the 8th Army on July 10th, 1943. Syracuse fell on July 10th, Augusta surrendered without a fight, on July 14th, and following the establishment of a bridgehead at Primo Sole the troops deployed into the Plain of Catania for the crucial battle. On August 1st the 8th Army launched the assault, and Catania fell four days later.