when they realized that no invasion could be done in 1943, they decided to invade sicily. the allied invasion of sicily in july 1943 was successful. many of the axis forces managed to avoid capture and escape to the mainland. benito mussolini was removed as head of the italian government. "operation baytown" was the plan in which eighth army would land near the tip of calabria on 3 september 1943. the allies sent the 504th parachute infantry regiment to airfields near rome.