U.S. naval forces aid Allied landings in Sicily

Photograph of a United States Navy observer watching the Allied invasion fleet as it approaches Sicily, Italy, circa 1943.

Typed caption glued to verso: "U.S. naval forces aid Allied landings in Sicily. A helmeted U.S. Navy observer stands aboard a warship ready to report by telephone to a control center as ships of the Allied invasion fleet (background) pass by in close formation on the way to Sicilian landings. The largest amphibious landing operation in the history of warfare, the invasion was accomplished through coordination achieved by months of special training. The fleet of 1,500 U.S. naval vessels, which constituted half of the Allied invasion armada, made another round trip with a second load of men and supplies within 48 hours of the first landings on the Italian island. 14004-FN. Approved by appropriate U.S. authority."