http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1943/sep1943/f09sep43.htm
Allies establish beachhead at Salerno
Thursday, September 9, 1943 www.onwar.com
In Italy... Allied forces land at Salerno. The US 5th Army (General Clark) lands at on beaches to the south of Salerno. His forces include the British 10th Corps (General McCreery) — the Northern Assault force, and US 6th Corps (General Dawley) — the Southern Assault Force. Naval support for the operation is under British Admiral Cunningham and a covering force (4 battleships and 2 carriers) under Admiral Willis, a support group (5 small carriers) under Admiral Vian and Admiral Hewitt commands the landing ships. There is some resistance to the landings. To the north of the main landing, US Rangers and British Commandos land at Maiori and Vietri to secure mountain passes. In addition, the British 1st Airborne Division comes ashore at Taranto and seizes the port. To the south, the British 8th Army continues a slow advance. German forces near Rome engage the Italian garrison. The Italian government is forced to flee, leaving Rome under German occupation.
In the Mediterranean... The Italian battleship Roma is sunk by a German glider bomb; similar attacks damage other Italian ships attempting to reach Allied ports.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces capture Bakhmach, west of Konotop, after a sharp battle. In the Caucasus, in the Kuban Peninsula, the German 17th Army begins to pull back from its forward positions.
In New Guinea... Australian forces achieve minor bridgeheads over the Busu River.
"Italy has been knocked out.
But it is only one down and two to go."
Success leads to a loss of public support?
Hmmmmmm...