The first wave. Sicilian invasion. "H" hour of the "D" day draws near and the first wave of men to invade Sicily prepare to debark from Allied transports lying four miles off shore. Landing boats, swung to deck level, are loaded with men and equipment. After they are lowered into the sea, cables are unhooked, the boats are cast off, and engines are started. They circle slowly in formation until the signal to head in is given. A control boat, between the transports and the beach, directs the men to shore. Fires, resulting from Allied naval and air bombardment, burn brightly along the coast and spasmodic enemy anti-aircraft fire meets fierce retaliation frm Allied destroyers