The landings on Sicily on 10 July initially went well, with XIII Corps achieving all its first day objectives, but by 12 July progress slowed after the 5th Division encountered elements of the German Hermann Göring Division. Montgomery and Dempsey attempted to capture Catania using paratroops and commandos. This operation was only partially successful, and Catania was not taken. Dempsey suggested an amphibious operation, but this was rejected by Montgomery in favour of switching the main axis of the Eighth Army's advance inland to the west of Mount Etna. On 3 August Dempsey relieved Berney-Ficklin of his command. His performance had impressed neither Dempsey nor Montgomery, and the latter was happy to replace him with another protégé, Major-General Gerard Bucknall. Air Vice Marshal Harry Broadhurst recalled an incident from the campaign: On 13 August, towards the end of the campaign, Dempsey's XIII Corps HQ was withdrawn to reserve to plan Operation Baytown, Eighth Army's part in the Allied invasion of Italy across the Strait of Messina. The 50th Division was earmarked to return to the UK, and was replaced by the 1st Canadian Division, under the command of Major-General Guy Simonds, whom Dempsey considered a friend. Although surrender negotiations with the Italians were in progress, intelligence on German and Italian dispositions was sketchy, so the possibility of strong opposition could not be ruled out. Dempsey insisted on an adequate number of landing craft being provided to lift three brigades, along with their logistical support, which delayed the operation until 3 September. Although his corps's landing was unopposed, and subsequent opposition was light, the Germans ensured his progress was slow by destroying bridges and culverts on the only routes through the harsh terrain. It took nearly two weeks to advance more than to the north to link up with the U.S. Fifth Army landing at Salerno as part of Operation Avalanche. Allied forces then commenced to fight their way northward with Fifth Army to the west and Eighth Army to the east of Italy's Apennine Mountain spine. XIII Corps took part in the Moro River Campaign but the severe winter weather precluded any further progress. North Western Europe In Sicily and Italy, Dempsey gained a reputation for his expertise in combined operations. Montgomery, left Italy at the end of 1943 to take command of the 21st Army Group for the forthcoming D-Day landings,and he nominated Dempsey to command the Second Army,