Comments by "John Brereton" (@johnbrereton5229) on "Why the invasion of Italy almost failed" video.

Italy surrendered in 1943 after the invasion and Mussolini was deposed. Also the Nazis surrendered in Northern Italy only 2 days after Berlin fell and before they surrendered in Northern Europe. Therefore, the Italian campaign was very successful by any measure.
11
@isha0086 The Italian campaign was longer than it should have been because troops and equipment was robbed to fight in France. Also Rome was not held by the Germans it was an open city, and US General Clark's 'liberation' was just a publicity stunt that prolonged the Italian Campaign because he allowed the Nazi 10th Army to escape just so he could enter Rome for a photo opportunity. If he had followed orders the italian campaign could have ended in 1944, if not sooner. Nevertheless, the Germans showed which operation they thought was more important, because as the US were taking troops from Italy to fight in the South of France, the Germans were taking their troops from France to reinforce Italy.
4
@ennieminee4470 It was for Britain, but unfortunately not for the newly arrived, inexperienced USA. However, if Churchill had had his way the war would have been over earlier and the Soviets would not have occupied so many countries.
2
@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- The concentrated effort into Northern Germany was the last plan to succeed even though they were facing less German troops than in Italy.
2
@stewie4467 The Germans surrendered in North Africa on 13th May 1943 when over 530,000 surrendered that's far more than the 91,000 who surrendered at Stalingrad. Operation Husky was the largest seabourne invasion of WW2 much larger than Normandy. Husky was launched only 2 months later on the 9th July 1943, not 6 months later as you claimed. It was won in the 17th August in record time and resulted in Italy, Germanys main ally, surrendering and deposing their fascist leader Mussolini on 25th July and Italy surrendering on the 8th September 1943.
2
Churchill never claimed that "Italy was the soft under belly of Europe" It's a myth. However, the Italian campaign was the first attack against the Nazis in Europe and led to the surrender and capitulation of their main ally. It was therefore a very successful campaign until many of their best troops and equipment was taken to open a new front in Normandy. After that, it became pushed into the background and forgotten, despite it being as important as the Normandy landing and some might argue far more important.
2
@stewie4467 Operation Torch was from November 1942, italy was invaded in Operation Husky 6 months later.
1
@ochomunna270 Yes, its claimed everywhere, however if you try to find the source you won't find any. Therefore, did Churchill actually say it ? There is absolutely no record of him saying it anywhere.
1