Agira

The Second World War

Date

24-28 July 1943

Geographical parameters

(no geographical parameters defined)

Context

A separate action honour forming part of the “Sicily, 1943” theatre honour^{Footnote 1}

Description

The hard push eastward by 1st Canadian Division continued following the capture of Leonforte and Assoro, the next target being the village of Agira, high up in the mountains. By 24 July elements of the 1st Brigade (Brigadier H.D. Graham) had pushed out from Leonforte, to close the gap with Agira and were subjected to enemy delaying fire as they pulled back.

On the morning of 24 July, under cover of artillery and aerial support, The Royal Canadian Regiment and “A” Squadron, the Three Rivers Regiment, advanced towards Nissoria - a village along the highway west of Agira - and captured it that afternoon. However, the initial attempt to push out of Nissoria failed, as the Canadians came under intense enemy mortar and machine gun fire from the high ground to the east of the village. Later that night the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment was ordered in and, in the dark, sought to swing south around the village in an attempt to regain the highway to the east. This attack, too, was halted by strong German fire, as was another push by the 48th Highlanders of Canada north of Nissoria.^{Footnote 2}

Awarded to:

Currently Serving Units

• 12e Régiment blindé du Canada ^{Footnote 3}
• 48th Highlanders of Canada ^{Footnote 4}
• The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment ^{Footnote 5}
• The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry) ^{Footnote 6}
• The North Saskatchewan Regiment ^{Footnote 7}
• Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry ^{Footnote 8}
• The Royal Canadian Regiment ^{Footnote 9}
• The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada ^{Footnote 10}