May 12th. 1943.
Afrika Korps is destroyed. The surrender of all Italian and German forces had began 3 days earlier in Tunisia. 130,000 German and 120,000 Italians are taken prisoner along with German general Von Arnim and 25 other Axis generals. The war in North Africa was over after three years of bitter fighting in the desert from Algeria to Egypt.
After months of consideration, It was finally decided that in order for the Invasion of Sicily to proceed, the island of Pantelleria must be captured. Shortly before the surrender in North Africa, Allied aircraft had already started attacking the small fortified island and by May the offensive was fully underway.
On June 11th the Allies landed to find that the Axis stronghold was ready to surrender. Now Pantelleria was the newest base of operations against Sicily. One month later the Allies would be landing in Southern Sicily and the captured airfield on Pantelleria after repair would play an important role. Another important role would be played by the 99th Fighter Group in their combat debut, It would be the start of the Tuskegee Airmen's prestigious combat history.
This FSO will depict the Air battles fought over Sicily, Malta and the Mediterranean after the capture of Pantelleria and in preparation for the Allied Invasion of Sicily.
http://ahevents.org/fso-current-next-event.htmlYou will be able to update your squad info until Thursday Sept 23rd.
Frame 1 will begin October 1st.