On 3 September 1943, the British Army launched Operation Baytown from Sicily, landing the XIII Corps on a bridgehead between Archi and Catona, in the extreme south of Calabria.
The German Command, correctly suspecting a more important attack further north, ordered not to oppose the invasion, but to withdraw while slowing down the advance of the British.
The units of the XXXI Corps first settled on the Sinopoli - Bovalino line, and by 7 September had reached the area between Vibo Valentia and Badolato.
After the signing of the Armistice of Cassibile, hostilities ceased and the Corps was overtaken by the advance of the British Army.
The units of the XXXI Army Corps were assigned by the allies to control the coasts, ports and airports of Calabria.