Here we see the view from a British landing craft as it approaches Taranto harbor, Italy on September 14th, 1943 as part of Operation Slapstick. No one laughing on that boat, however.

Map of the invasion of Italy
A map illustrating the positions and sizes of the invading force.

Part of the Allied Invasion of Italy

Operation Slapstick was a British World War II operation that took place in September 1943 as part of the larger Allied invasion of Italy. While less well-known than some other operations, it played a strategic role in the overall Italian campaign. Here’s a brief overview:

Context: In the wake of the successful Allied invasion of Sicily during the Summer of 1943, there were a series of operations planned to invade the Italian mainland. Operation Slapstick was one of them.

Objective: The primary goal of Operation Slapstick was the seizure of the port city of Taranto, located in the heel of Italy’s “boot.” The operation aimed to quickly secure a supply route for Allied forces and to support other major landing operations occurring simultaneously further north, like Operation Avalanche at Salerno.

Execution:

  1. British Airborne Role: Unlike many other amphibious invasions, Operation Slapstick was unique in that it utilized airborne troops in a sea landing. The British 1st Airborne Division, rather than parachuting in, came ashore from the sea because of a shortage of transport aircraft.
  2. Light Resistance: The landings on 9 September 1943 met with minimal resistance. This was in part because the Italians had just signed an armistice with the Allies, and the German forces in the area were not in a position to offer significant opposition immediately.
  3. Expansion: After securing Taranto, British troops moved to capture nearby airfields and push inland. However, they met stiffening German resistance as they tried to link up with the main Allied forces landing at Salerno.

Outcome: Operation Slapstick was successful in its primary objective of capturing Taranto swiftly. However, the operation was overshadowed by the more significant and intense fighting around Salerno. As the campaign progressed, Taranto became an essential logistics hub for the Allies as they pushed further north into Italy.

Name Origin: It’s worth noting that the name “Slapstick” is believed to be a light-hearted reference to the hastily planned nature of the operation and the unexpected use of airborne troops in a maritime landing. “Slapstick” in popular culture refers to a style of humor based on deliberate, exaggerated physical actions, which might have resonated with the somewhat unconventional nature of the operation.