This information was used to plan the Allied amphibious landing which commenced in July of 1943. government called upon these Mafia associates to provide drawings and pictures of the Sicilian coastline and harbors, which they promptly received in mass. The report advises “Establishment of contact and communications with the leaders of separatist nuclei, disaffected workers, and clandestine radical groups, e.g., the Mafia, and giving them every possible aid”. More importantly, though, Luciano and his associates had Sicilian contacts who would be able to provide the Americans with key information and logistical support needed for the invasion.Īccording to a report from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, this was recommended as a precursor to the invasion.
WORLD WAR 2 OPERATION HUSKY IN SICILY US ARMY CRACKED
Mussolini had brutally cracked down on the organization, essentially sending them into hiding. The Mafia weren’t fans of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Wikimedia Commons Benito Mussolini taps the cheek of a young boy in the Black Brigades. government called upon their old associates: Luciano and the Mafia. To help prepare for the invasion, the U.S. took the lead on the operation and quickly decided that the island of Sicily must be taken first. However, it should be noted that after 1942 no other ships were destroyed and there were no strikes among the New York City dock workers.Īs the war raged on, the Allies began formulating their plans to invade Italy. To this day the effectiveness of this operation, known as Operation Underworld, is debated. Luciano also apparently guaranteed that there would be no strikes among the dock workers. Luciano ordered that any suspicious activity along the docks and waterfronts be reported to the authorities. At the time Luciano was serving a 30-50 year sentence for compulsory prostitution at the Clinton Prison facility when the Navy offered him a deal a reduction of his sentence for information and assistance in their operation. The Navy, who was in charge of the operation, reached out to well-known Mafia boss Salvatore C. Wikimedia Commons The SS Normandie, renamed USS Lafayette, on fire at New York harbor.
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