Dwight D. Eisenhower - Soldier's Guide to Sicily

Dwight D. Eisenhower [Intr.] - Soldier's Guide to Sicily - [USA] - [US Army] / The Printing and Stationery Services M.E.F. - 1943 - 1st edition - [2], [30] pp - Stapled wrappers - 12,5 x 18 cm.

Condition: Good - with owner's entry on the cover. See more info below.

Authentic "tourist travel guide" of the island of Sicily for American and English allied soldiers. Illustrated with black and white photos and a fold-out map. With Italian glossary and introduction by General Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969):

"[...] as this book falls into your hands we are about to pursue the invasion and occupation of enemy territory. [...] we have learned to work smoothly alongside one another as a team [...]. The task is difficult but your skill, courage and devotion to duty will be successful in driving our enemies closer to disaster and leading us towards victory and the liberation of Europe and Asia."

Dwight Eisenhower became the 34th president of the United States after the war. The Landing in Sicily began on July 9, 1943 and was codenamed Operation Husky. According to the Netflix series WW2 in Color (in which soldiers are visible with this booklet!), the capture of the Italian island was made possible thanks to New York mobster Lucky Luciano and his ties to the Sicilian Mafia.

¶ This copy survived the war quite well. The previous owner (an English soldier) also kept some paper money (1 Lira Allied Military Currency) and Safe Conduct, bilingual flyer that allowed German soldiers to surrender safely: "Zur Vermeitung unnötigen Risikos diesen Flugblatt oder etwas Weisses überm Kopf schwenken!"