Invasion of Elba

Invasion of Elba
Part of the Italian Campaign of World War II
French troops landing on Elba, 17 June 1944
Date 17–19 June 1944 (1944-06-17 – 1944-06-19) Location Elba, Italy Result Allied victory
Belligerents
France  United Kingdom  United States	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Jean de Tassigny Thomas Troubridge	Franz Gall
Units involved
Force 255 9th Colonial Infantry Division Bataillon de Choc Commando 2nd Groupe de Tabors Marocains British Force N Royal Naval Commandos 26 Vickers Wellingtons United States 87th Fighter Wing 57th Bombardment Wing	2 infantry battalions
Casualties and losses
British 38 killed 9 wounded French 252 killed 635 wounded	500 killed 1,995 captured flak ship destroyed

The invasion of Elba, codenamed Operation Brassard, was part of the Italian campaign during the Second World War. The invasion was carried out from 17 to 19 June 1944 by Free French Forces supported by British and American ships and aircraft. According to the testimony of captured Germans, Allied activity had been observed on Corsica, thus the defenders were aware of the impending invasion 24 hours in advance. They resisted for two days before being given permission to withdraw to the mainland.