The invasion of Sicily began at 2:45 a.m. on July 10, as American and British forces landed on the southeastern shore of the island. The Allies considered the capture of Sicily a prerequisite for an assault on Italy. The German and Italian forces on the island (350,000 men in all) were taken by surprise and actually put up little resistance. Palermo fell to General Patton on July 22. The last stage in the offensive was found unnecessary, because the invasion force met no further resistance. The takeover of Sicily was completed on August 17, when American and British forces entered Messina at 10:00 a.m.
