Naples '44 Themes

Naples '44 Themes

The Horrors of War

Naples '44 is a story that takes place towards the end of World War II. The United States has ended the war and the Allied invasion of Europe is moving forward. Italy has surrendered and Mussolini is dead, but the Germans continue to defend parts of Italy. Lewis and his section enter Italy with the Fifth Army of the Allied forces. Eventually, with the Eighth Army, the Allied forces are able to take Italy. During the story Rome is conquered, but when Lewis and his section reach Italy, much of Italy is under Nazi control and Nazi sympathizers are around, as are some Italian partisans. They have laid traps and laid waste to the cities they once controlled; further, they have spies in the area. When Lewis reaches Naples, and even along the way, he notices the incredible devastation the war has caused. The Americans are so green that many...
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