Operation Underworld: The Role of Sicilian-Americans in World War II

Join us for a presentation and reception commemorating Operation Husky, Patton’s invasion of Sicily on July 9, 1943, and the King's removal.
About this Event

Join the Italian Cultural Center commemorating one of the pivotal moments in modern history—the Allied invasion of Sicily on July 9–10, 1943, known as Operation Husky.

Lead by Generals Eisenhowser, Patton, and Bradley Operation Husky was enormous by any standard:

• More than 3,000 ships and landing craft participated.
• Approximately 150,000–160,000 Allied troops were landed on the first day.
• The assault front stretched roughly 150 miles (240 km) along Sicily's southern and eastern coasts.
• Within 48 hours, the Allies had landed about 80,000 men, 600 tanks, and 900 artillery pieces.

A component of Operation Husky was Operation Underworld.

Operation Underworld was a secret wartime collaboration between the U.S. government and organized crime figures, initiated in 1942 after fears of Axis sabotage along the American waterfront intensified following the destruction of the French liner Normandie in New York Harbor.

The U.S. Navy and naval intelligence sought assistance from imprisoned mob boss Charles 'Lucky' Luciano and other Mafia figures, who used their influence over longshoremen and dockworkers to improve security and gather intelligence on potential enemy activity.

The arrangement expanded to include gathering information on conditions in Sicily and establishing contacts that would aid the Allied invasion of the island during Operation Husky.

Operation Underworld is widely regarded as one of the most unusual and controversial intelligence partnerships of the Second World War.

Author, historian, and documentary filmmaker Charles Marsala will present an overview of the Sicily campaign, the assistance of the American-Italians and local Sicilians, and the planning of Italy and Germany during 1942-1943 for Italy to leave the Axis Pact between Germany and Italy.

Whether you have a personal connection to Italy, an interest in military and political history, or simply enjoy learning about the events that shaped the modern world, this promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking evening.

Program

• Receptiom and social gathering
• Presentation by Charles Marsala
• Audience questions and discussion

All are welcome—Italians, Italian Americans, history enthusiasts, veterans, students, and friends of Italian culture.