The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, commenced on July 9-10, 1943, with a landing party of 2,200 paratroopers dropped into Gela. Amphibious landings began in the morning with German aircraft attacking the invasion fleet. Subsequently, USAAF C-47s and C-53s departed from runways in Tunisia, flying in V formations of nine planes each at low altitude and lights out. Allied forces deployed naval vessels and shore troops to fire on the landing aircraft. The 52nd Troop Carrier Wing lost 23 of 144 C-47s to friendly fire, resulting in 83 fatalities. The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment suffered 81 dead.The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, commenced on July 9-10, 1943, with a landing party of 2,200 paratroopers dropped into Gela. Amphibious landings began in the morning with German aircraft attacking the invasion fleet. Subsequently, USAAF C-47s and C-53s departed from runways in Tunisia, flying in V formations of nine planes each at low altitude and lights out. Allied forces deployed naval vessels and shore troops to fire on the landing aircraft. The 52nd Troop Carrier Wing lost 23 of 144 C-47s to friendly fire, resulting in 83 fatalities. The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment suffered 81 dead.