Bombing of Naples in World War II
Encyclopedia
Naples
was the most bombed
Italian city in World War II
. There were about 200 air strikes between 1940 to 1944 by Allied forces
, with 180 raids on the city in 1943. Estimates of civilian casualties vary between 20,000 to 25,000 killed.
In Naples, the primary targets were the port facilities at the extreme eastern end of the Port of Naples
as well as the rail, industrial and petroleum facilities in the eastern part of the city and the steel mill to the west, in Bagnoli
.
The largest raid was on August 4, 1943 by 400 B-17 planes of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force
(NASAF) which targeted Axis
submarine base at Naples. The Church of Santa Chiara
was destroyed in this raid but was later rebuilt. The Santa Maria di Loreto hospital was also destroyed in the bombing of Naples.
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
was the most bombed
Strategic bombing during World War II
Strategic bombing during World War II is a term which refers to all aerial bombardment of a strategic nature between 1939 and 1945 involving any nations engaged in World War II...
Italian city in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. There were about 200 air strikes between 1940 to 1944 by Allied forces
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
, with 180 raids on the city in 1943. Estimates of civilian casualties vary between 20,000 to 25,000 killed.
In Naples, the primary targets were the port facilities at the extreme eastern end of the Port of Naples
Port of Naples
Port of Naples is one of the largest Italian seaports and one of the largest seaports in the Mediterranean Sea basin having an annual traffic capacity of around 25 million tons of cargo and 500,000 TEU's....
as well as the rail, industrial and petroleum facilities in the eastern part of the city and the steel mill to the west, in Bagnoli
Bagnoli
Bagnoli is a western seaside district of Naples, Italy, well beyond the confines of the original city. It is beyond Cape Posillipo and, thus, looking on the coast of the Bay of Pozzuoli.- History :...
.
The largest raid was on August 4, 1943 by 400 B-17 planes of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force
Northwest African Strategic Air Force
The Northwest African Strategic Air Force was a sub-command of the Northwest African Air Forces which itself was a sub-command of the Mediterranean Air Command...
(NASAF) which targeted Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
submarine base at Naples. The Church of Santa Chiara
Santa Chiara (Naples)
Santa Chiara is a religious complex in Naples, southern Italy, that includes the Church of Santa Chiara, a monastery, tombs and an archeological museum.-Architecture:...
was destroyed in this raid but was later rebuilt. The Santa Maria di Loreto hospital was also destroyed in the bombing of Naples.
Harbour
Many ships at the harbour were sunk, yet it became functional in just one week after the city's liberation.External links
- Air Raids on Naples in WWII
- Color photograph from LIFE magazine showing bombed cathedral in Naples