20. Bombing in Italy followed the same pattern as in Germany
RAF bombers used the technique of wide-area bombing in Italian cities, hitting Milan, Turin, La Spezia, and Genoa. The same philosophy applied as in Germany; the strategic aim was to render a large portion of the civilian population homeless. All of the Italian cities bombed by the RAF suffered heavy loss of life among their populations, and losses of residential areas, though the massive firestorms which occurred in Germany did not occur. Italian urban areas relied more on brick and stone construction than those of its ally, and were less susceptible to the incendiaries dropped by the British.
USAAF bombers were active in Italy as well, and though the targets were intended to be industrial, collateral damage – a new term to the American military – was heavy in the cities and towns of Italy. Over 90% of the city of Rimini was destroyed by US bombing raids. Central Italy, including Rome, was heavily bombed by the USAAF, though care was taken to avoid central Rome and the Vatican. Up to 5,000 civilians were killed in the bombings of the suburbs of Rome. Allied bombing in Italy reached its peak in 1944, after the Italians had surrendered and officially joined the Allies.
