26Delta, What are those coordinates in reference to? Should they be like this for Google Earth: 37°00'54" N, 15°19'50" E? Tom.
For Mike L My reference for this info is: Molony, C. J. C. “The Mediterranean and Middle East Vol. 5, The Campaign in Sicily 1943 and the Campaign in Italy 3rd September 1943 to 31st March 1944”, first published in 1973, p141 I have the facsimile edition first published in2004 by The Naval and Military Press Ltd. There is a table on page 141 entitled "Distribution of Beach Groups and DUKWs" which amongst other things, gives the beach numbers. There are about three pages about beach organisation in the section entitled Administration in The Campaign. It includes the following, "All Beach Groups landed early on 10th July and made successful reconnaissances although it was typical of the mishaps of war that at Cassibile the commander of No. 32 was unluckily killed by a sniper's bullet, and that at Groticelle (Beach 57) the commander of No. 3 had to work for some hours on foot (when time was very precious) because all Jeeps had gone astray. 5th Division's Beach Groups, by nightfall, had begun well in forming the various dumps and depots; 50th Division's Group, faced with more physical obstacles, had not done so well. 51st Highland Division and 231st Brigade's Beach Groups also began well and brought their beaches into working order during the day. Early fears about the suitability of 1st Canadian Division's beach proved to be correct. False beaches, poor exits and an unsuitable hinterland impeded by terraces created major difficulties and this beach was closed on the 14th July and its traffic diverted to Portapalo Bay." My particular interest is in RAF beach units. Most of the Beach Bricks and Beach Groups, including the Beach Bricks in the GEORGE and HOW sectors, had an RAF element of approx 5 officers and 35 other ranks.
I think the 'northern beach' is Beach 45 and the 'southern beach' is Beach 46. Beach 47, the next one south, was much closer to Avola. It's hard to tell from the small-scale map (from Admiral Kent Hewitt's Western Task Force post-action report); slightly easier from the one showing COPP reconnaissance, which is from COPPist Ralph Stanbury's book Survey by Starlight.
I came across this aerial photo of the landings the other day on the US Naval History and Heritage Command website. Unfortunately I can't find it again now! I noted the reference PR-13-CN-1971-246-10 but that doesn't seem to be turning up anything in their search facility. [Edit: found it!] Anyway, they seem to think it's US beaches (mention of PT boats in among the transports) but the coastline seems fairly distinctive to me - I've marked Beaches 44 (George sector), 45 (How Green) and 46 (How Amer and How Red).
