Ep 5. The Invasion of Italy

In "WWII in Color: Road to Victory" season 1 episode 5, entitled "The Invasion of Italy," viewers are taken back to 1943 and the Allies' decision to invade Italy in order to weaken Germany's hold on the Mediterranean. The episode begins by highlighting the importance of the Mediterranean, and the struggle that both the Axis and Allies faced in controlling its waters.

Early on in the episode, viewers are introduced to the key players in the fight for Italy, from the Allied commanders, such as General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George S. Patton, to Italy's own Fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, who had become increasingly unpopular in his own country. Viewers are given a glimpse into the challenges faced by the Allies as they wanted to invade Italy, a country that was completely surrounded by Axis territory, with no clear path to the north.

Given the challenges faced, the Allies had to be strategic. An important part of their plan was to bring about Italy's surrender, which would not only weaken the Axis powers but also open up a clear path to the north. In a move that would prove to be a turning point in the war, the Allies launched a series of air raids, not just on military targets but also on the cities themselves. This led to widespread panic and unrest in Italy, and Mussolini's hold on power began to weaken.

Meanwhile, the Allies continued to plan their invasion, and viewers are able to see the various steps taken to prepare for what would prove to be a complex and bloody battle. The episode gives viewers a front-row seat to the invasion itself, which began on September 3, 1943, with landings on the island of Sicily. The initial landings were successful, but the fighting was brutal and not without setbacks. The Allies suffered heavy casualties, but they also managed to hold their ground and push inland.

One of the standout moments of the episode is the introduction of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit made up entirely of Japanese-American soldiers who had been forced into internment camps in the United States. The team was given the tough task of taking a key enemy position, and the episode does an excellent job of highlighting both the incredible bravery of the soldiers and the racism that they faced, both in the army and in society more broadly.

As the Allies began to gain ground in Italy, the episode takes viewers through some of the key strategic decisions made by both the Allied and Axis powers. One of the most significant decisions was made by Mussolini, who, in a desperate bid to regain control of his country, launched a counterattack against the Allies. The attack ultimately failed, and Mussolini was soon ousted from power by his own people.

The episode concludes with the Allies continuing their push north, and viewers are left with a sense of the incredible challenges faced by both sides in the fight for Italy. The episode manages to effectively balance the personal stories of individual soldiers with the broader strategic concerns of the war, and the result is a compelling and informative look at one of the key turning points in WWII.