Editing Operation Corkscrew (section)

==Background==
Allied attention returned to Pantelleria in early 1943. The radar installations and airfield on the island were seen as a threat to the invasion of Sicily ([[Operation Husky]]). The Italian garrison on the island was 12,000 strong in well-entrenched [[pillbox (military)|pillboxes]] and 21 [[gun battery|gun batteries]]. There was an opportunity to assess the impact of [[bombardment]] upon fortifications.<ref name=USAAF>{{cite book| publisher=US Air Force, [[Air Force Historical Research Agency]]| series=monograph 52| title=The Reduction of Pantelleria and Adjacent Islands, 8 May-14 June 1943| first=Edith C.| last=Rogers| year=1947| url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/51-100/AFD-090529-104.pdf |access-date=2022-01-08}}</ref> It was decided to see if the island could be forced into submission by aerial and naval bombardment alone. Failing this, an invasion was planned for 11 June.