On July 9-10, 1943, the Allied invasion of Sicily began with a series of amphibious landings. Approximately 2,200 paratroopers were dropped into Gela, Italy, by US Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft. The initial landings involved a series of aircraft formations, including C-47 and C-53 planes flying in V formations at low altitude and with lights out. The first formations landed directly on target, followed by ground fire from Allied forces on naval vessels and shore troops. The 52nd Troop Carrier Wing lost 23 C-47s to friendly fire, resulting in 83 fatalities. The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment suffered 81 dead, dropping paratroopers from the 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion and the 82nd Airborne Division over southern Sicily.On July 9-10, 1943, the Allied invasion of Sicily began with a series of amphibious landings. Approximately 2,200 paratroopers were dropped into Gela, Italy, by US Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft. The initial landings involved a series of aircraft formations, including C-47 and C-53 planes flying in V formations at low altitude and with lights out. The first formations landed directly on target, followed by ground fire from Allied forces on naval vessels and shore troops. The 52nd Troop Carrier Wing lost 23 C-47s to friendly fire, resulting in 83 fatalities. The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment suffered 81 dead, dropping paratroopers from the 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion and the 82nd Airborne Division over southern Sicily.