Before The Italian Surrender -- General Montgomery in Italy - General Montgomery in conference ***** senior officers studies a map of the ***** country side. The Allied invasion of Italy began at Dawn on September 3rd. Five days later on September 8th General Eisenhower announced the unconditional surrender of Italy. One end of the axis has collapsed completely. Here are some early stages of the Allied invasion. November 22, 1943. (Photo by British Official Photo).