Biazza Ridge History

In July 1943 the Allies invaded Sicily by sea and by Airborne assault. The fight at Biazza Ridge was one of the most furious and bloodiest battles of the campaign. The battle to hold the ridge raged for hours, with Col. Jim Gavin and about 250 lightly armed paratroopers of the 505 Parachute Regimental Combat Team versus the full weight of a German armored column from the Herman Goering Panzer Division.

Gavin and his troopers were the only things standing between the Germans and the invasion beaches. The troopers held the ridge against heavy Tiger tanks by sheer gallantry. Later, with the help of some Sherman tanks of the 45 Division, they pushed the German advance back.

The battle at Biazza Ridge was a turning point in the invasion of Sicily. American opposition led the Germans to make the decision to break contact and withdraw, losing the initiative that they were not able to reclaim nor were they be able to push the Allies "back into the sea."

• 3 Bedroom, 1 Story (E6-E8)
• 4 Bedroom, 2 Story (E1-E5)