Ep 13. Though Old Gut: Italy November 1942 - June 1944

In the 13th episode of the first season of The World At War, titled "Though Old Gut: Italy November 1942 - June 1944," the focus is on Italy during the midst of World War II. This episode begins with the Allied invasion of Italy in November 1942. The episode focuses on the challenges that the Allied forces faced in their battle to take control of continental Italy and later North Africa. Throughout the episode, viewers will see how Allied forces fought through the harsh weather conditions, mountainous terrain, and the strong defenses of the Axis powers.

One of the primary narratives of this episode is the struggles faced by General Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Allied forces as they attempt to gain control of Italy. They were met with resistance and a difficult terrain with the Apennine Mountains in the way. Viewers will see how the Allies struggled to advance and how the Italian people were affected by the war. With victory in North Africa, the Allies planned to use Italy as a launching point to invade France and take the war directly to the Axis powers. However, the cost in blood and time was greater than expected, and the Italian campaign bogged down. This episode also includes footage of the bombing of the Monastery at Monte Cassino, a significant moment in the war.

Additionally, "Though Old Gut" takes a look at how Italy's fascist regime under Mussolini collapsed and the role of the Italian partisans in the war effort. The episode will delve into the difficulties faced by these partisans in their efforts to fight against the Nazi and Fascist forces. Viewers will see how the partisans had to adapt to fighting in mountainous terrain and the difficulty they faced when attacking Axis supply lines.

The episode concludes with the liberation of Rome in June 1944. The episode explores the emotions felt by the Italians as they welcomed the Allies into their city, and the relief felt by the Allies as they gain an important victory towards their goal of liberating Europe. While the Allies may have been victorious in Italy, the battle had taken a great toll on both sides. The episode ends by reflecting on the casualties and the struggles faced by both the Allied and Axis powers in the Italian campaign.

Overall, "Though Old Gut: Italy November 1942 - June 1944," is an insightful and informative episode of The World At War. It provides viewers with a comprehensive look into the Italian Campaign and how it impacted the war efforts on both sides. The episode explores the challenges faced by the Allies and Italy's partisans, providing insight into how they adapted to the harsh terrains and the challenges of fighting against a powerful Axis force. The episode is filled with footage of battles and interviews with soldiers and civilians alike and provides an honest look at the effects of the war on Italy.