Eighty-two years ago today, on June 14, 1943 (May 12, 1943), the British conquered three Sicilian islands. The Italian army held Pantellaria. On June 14, 1943, the Allies prepared for the long-awaited attack on Sicily and the weak regions of Europe. In the past three days, they had captured three islands that served as stepping stones between Tunisia and the Sicilian coast. Most importantly, Pantelleria was captured by the British on Friday after a day and night of bombing raids. Allied air forces would use the island's airstrips and those in Malta and Tunisia to provide air cover for the planned attack on Sicily. In addition, two smaller islands, Linosa and Lampedusa, have also fallen into Allied hands.