History Extra podcast Liberating WW2 Naples: triumph and tragedy
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Sep 26, 2024 
Historian Keith Lowe, known for his deep insights into World War II, discusses the tumultuous liberation of Naples. He delves into the city's suffering under German occupation and the fierce resilience of its citizens. The podcast reveals the severe typhus epidemic the Allies faced, leading to groundbreaking public health strategies. Lowe also explores the economic chaos post-liberation, highlighting how cash-rich soldiers exacerbated local hardships while residents took pride in their uprisings. The fascinating mix of heroism and despair paints a vivid picture of Naples during this pivotal time.
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Devastation in Naples Pre-Liberation
- Naples was devastated by both Allied bombing and German scorched earth destruction before liberation.
- Key infrastructure like factories, power stations, and water systems were blown up by retreating Germans.
German Occupation Brutality
- After Italy's armistice, Germans brutally seized Naples with violence and destruction.
- They burned the university library, rounded up police, and committed massacres to establish control.
Naples' Self-Liberation "Four Days"
- The people of Naples spontaneously rose up in the "Four Days" to resist German forced labor conscription and wrecking.
- Women and children supported barricades and gunfire, driving out the Germans before the Allies arrived.