Today in World War II History—Aug. 3, 1943
Friday, August 3, 2018 by Sarah Sundin

Gen. George Patton in Gela, Sicily, July 1943 (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Aug. 3, 1943: German paratroopers arrive outside Rome to “protect” against Allied invasion, but really to occupy the city in case Italy surrenders.
Gen. George Patton slaps a patient at the US 15th Evacuation Hospital at Nicosia, Sicily for supposed cowardice—the patient suffered from malaria and combat fatigue (first of two such incidents).