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Centuripe was a Battle Honour granted for actions near that town during the Battle of Sicily, a phase of the Italian Campaign during the Second World War.
As the US 7th Army advanced east along the northern coast of Sicily towards Messina, the 8th Army was able to resume a northward advance on the east coast. In the centre of the island, British XXX Corps was tasked to take Regalbuto, Centuripe and Adrano. The 3rd Brigade was temporarily assigned to the British 78th Division for their drive on Centuripe, and fought a successful action at Catenanuova on 29-30 Jul. On the night of 30-31 Jul, the 78th Division moved two battalions through the West Nova Scotia Regiment's positions and advanced to high ground above Catenanuova. On the 31st, the West Novas cleared Mount Peloso, high ground located halfway from Centuripe to Regalbuto, and from there on 1 Aug they were ordered to march to Mount Criscina, a 2,000 foot height. a change in orders held them in place for 24 hours just east of Rosamarina, on the road to Regalbuto, and The Carleton and York Regiment was brought up alongside them. Both battalion patrolled Mount Criscina.
Early on the 2nd, intelligence reported Mount Criscina free of the enemy, and two companies of the West Novas went forward from their positions near Rosamarina, nicknamed "Whistling Hill." Heavy small arms fire met them - the intelligence had been wrong - and Parachute Regiment 3 showed their determination to hold Centuripe with mortars and artillery.
The West Novas battled throughout the afternoon, but the two companies failed in repeated attempts to close with the enemy. Lack of radio contact denied them artillery support, but as daylight faded a section of Vickers Guns deployed to Whistling Hill and covered the withdrawal of the two companies. For the West Novas, it was their bloodiest day in Sicily, with 19 soldiers killed and 27 wounded. A follow up attack was cancelled as it became apparent the fall of Regalbuto and Centuripe (taken by the 38th (Irish) Brigade early on 3 Aug) itself made defence of Mount Criscina irrelevant. The Germans reached the same conclusion that night, and early in the morning of 3 Aug, patrols confirmed that the enemy had retreated.
The following Canadian units were awarded the Battle Honour "Catenanuova" for participation in these actions:
3rd Canadian Brigade
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The West Nova Scotia Regiment
