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During World War II, the United States secretly allied with the Mafia, particularly in Sicily, to aid in the invasion and gather intelligence. This collaboration began in 1942, when U.S. naval intelligence, facing sabotage and espionage threats, turned to Mafia figures like Lucky Luciano for help. Luciano and other Mafia leaders provided crucial information and controlled waterfronts, assisting the war effort. The U.S. also sought Mafia support for the upcoming invasion of Sicily in 1943, relying on their knowledge of local terrain and criminal networks. After the Allies successfully landed in Sicily, they freed Mafia prisoners, inadvertently strengthening the Mafia's power on the island, which had been weakened by Mussolini's earlier crackdown. This pact between the U.S. and the Mafia had long-lasting implications for both the Mafia's rise in power and U.S.-Mafia relations. This is the programme 'Timewatch Allied to the Mafia'. Make sure you subscribe to get your regular crime fix: youtube.com/c/RealCrime Real Crime On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JLjqhHBRN8qMTGKikm97B?si=Fnshg5sfSxmljxiW7wJrZg Any queries, please contact us at: owned-enquiries@littledotstudios.com #truecrime #realcrime #crime
