5. The Italian Connection: Sicilian Invasion
When the Allies launched their invasion of Sicily in 1943, the Mafia’s deep-rooted connections on the island proved invaluable. U.S. commanders depended on mob contacts to navigate the region’s complicated social and political landscape and to gather crucial local intelligence. The Mafia’s influence even helped sway the Sicilian population to support Allied forces, smoothing the path for rapid advances and reducing resistance.
