I'm doing research trying to find out if trains ran from Florence south over the Gustav Line south of Naples to Castellamare. I've read several books (novels) that have civilians taking trains throughout Italy during the war, including south to Portofino. I don't know if this was based on fact or if the author was using artistic license. I haven't been able to find this out in my research, and would appreciate any help. Thanks!
The Italian Railway network worked throughout the war. The Allies tried with Operation STRANGLE in 43/44 to put it out action - flying 96,000 missions and dropping thousands of tonnes of bombs, but were unsuccessful. The Allies dropped more tonnage of bombs on the marshalling yards of Rome in 1944 than the Luftwaffe dropped on the whole of the UK in the whole of the war - but the trains still ran. Regards Frank
Thank you, Frank & Jon! This is really helpful. I'd read about the Balvano wreck. I just didn't know if the trains crossed defensive lines. I knew the Allies bombed the storage yards in Rome but I had no idea the high number of missions or the amount of bombs dropped. Appreciate your help!
Another railway disaster occurred at the Allerona Bridge just north of Orvieto on 28 Jan 44. An American bomber force, as part of Op STRANGLE, mistook the train, which was loaded with Allied PWs being moved to Germany, for a German supply train. It killed an awful lot of the PWs. Tragic. Regards Frank
It's almost reassuring that the old 'At least he made the trains run on time' actually stands as history.