The Day of Battle is the second volume of Rick Atkinson's epic trilogy about the liberation of Europe in World War II. This narrative delves into the harrowing story of the campaigns in Sicily and Italy.

Following the events in An Army at Dawn, this book chronicles the strengthening American and British armies as they invade Sicily in July 1943. It captures their relentless, bloody march north toward Rome.

The outcome of the Italian campaign was fraught with uncertainty. Roosevelt, Churchill, and their military advisers engaged in heated debates about the invasion of the so-called soft underbelly of Europe. Yet, the commitment to liberate Italy from the Nazis remained steadfast, despite the high cost.

The battles at Salerno, Anzio, and Monte Cassino were particularly difficult, yet the Allied forces continued to push the Germans up the Italian peninsula. Under the leadership of Lieutenant General Mark Clark, the American forces became increasingly determined and proficient.

With the liberation of Rome in June 1944, ultimate victory began to seem inevitable. Atkinson draws on a wide array of primary sources, providing a narrative history of the first rank.