<Li> the need for proper re-embarkation craft . </Li> <P> The British developed a range of specialist armoured vehicles which allowed their engineers to perform many of their tasks protected by armour, most famously Hobart's Funnies . The major deficiencies in RAF ground support techniques led to the creation of a fully integrated Tactical Air Force to support major ground offensives . Because the treads of most Churchill tanks were caught up in the shingle beaches of Dieppe, the Allies initiated pre-operation environmental intelligence collection, and devised appropriate vehicles to meet the challenges of future landing sites . The raid also challenged the Allies' belief that the seizure of a major port would be essential in the creation of a second front . Their revised view was that the amount of damage sustained by bombardment in order to capture a port, would almost certainly render it useless . As a result, the decision was taken to construct prefabricated "Mulberry" harbours, and tow them to beaches as part of a large - scale invasion . </P> <P> While Canadians served at sea, in the air, and in small numbers attached to Allied formations and independently, the invasion of Sicily was the first full scale combat engagement by full Canadian divisions since World War I. Canadian soldiers went ashore in 1943 in the Allied invasions of Sicily and mainland Italy, then fought through the long Italian Campaign . During the course of the Allied campaign in Italy, over 25,000 Canadian soldiers became casualties of war . </P> <P> The 1st Canadian Division and the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily in Operation Husky, 10 July 1943 and also Operation Baytown, part of the Allied invasion of Italy on 3 September 1943 . Canadian participation in the Sicily and Italy campaigns were made possible after the government decided to break up the First Canadian Army, sitting idle in Britain . Public pressure for Canadian troops to begin fighting forced a move before the awaited invasion of northwest Europe . Troops fought on through the long and difficult Italian campaign until redeployed to the Western Front in February--March 1945 during Operation Goldflake . By this time the Canadian contribution to the Italian theatre had grown to include I Canadian Corps headquarters, the 1st Division, 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division and an independent armoured brigade . Three Victoria Crosses were awarded to Canadian Army troops in Italy; Captain Paul Triquet of the Royal 22 Régiment, Private Smokey Smith of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, and Major John Mahoney of The Westminster Regiment (Motor). Notable battles in Italy included the Moro River Campaign, the Battle of Ortona and the battles to break the Hitler Line, later fighting on the Gothic Line . </P>

Where did canadian troops first see action in ww2