davidclensy.com

Earlier this year, I released my debut novel Prayer in Time of War. It tells the story of elderly veteran Ernie as he returns to an Italy transformed from his experiences during the Second World War, in search of the girl he left behind in the back streets of Naples half a century before. A visit for Ernie to Pompeii during the war, marks a pivotal moment in the novel. But did you know that the archaeological site itself was significantly impacted by the war, with the Allied Italian Campaign causing significant destruction across the ancient Roman city? In this post, I wanted to explore what happened.

Pompeii, the ancient Roman city famously destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, faced another devastating ordeal during World War II. This time, the destruction came not from natural forces but from the ravages of war. Between August and September 1943, the archaeological site of Pompeii became an unintended target of the Allied bombing campaign aimed at dislodging German troops from southern Italy.

The Context of the Bombings

By the summer of 1943, the Italian campaign was in full swing. Allied forces had already landed in Sicily and were pushing into mainland Italy. German forces had taken up strategic positions in the region, including areas surrounding Pompeii. Allied military planners believed the site was being used as a hiding place for German troops and ammunition. As Allied forces moved towards Salerno in their operation to capture Naples, they began bombing targets in and around Pompeii to disrupt German supply lines and communications.

The bombing of Pompeii took place between August 24 and September 26, 1943. During this period, more than 160 bombs were dropped across the area. The Allied forces, primarily American and British, targeted the site under the mistaken belief that it was being used for military purposes. The bombings were part of a broader strategy to weaken German defences and facilitate the advance of Allied troops into southern Italy.

Impact on the Archaeological Site

The damage to Pompeii was extensive, with no part of the excavation area entirely spared. Key regions such as Regio VII, Regio III, and Regio VI suffered severe bomb damage. Notable structures such as the House of the Faun, the House of Venus in the Shell, and the Large Theatre were hit. Even the famed Antiquarium, which housed numerous artefacts from Pompeii, was nearly destroyed by two direct hits, causing the loss of countless irreplaceable objects.

The Forum, Via delle Terme, and Via Marina were all badly affected, with bombs shattering ancient walls and frescoes. The House of Romulus and Remus, another significant part of Pompeii’s heritage, was also severely damaged. Much of the destruction was concentrated in areas where it was believed German military equipment might be hidden, though these claims were later found to be largely unfounded.

Amedeo Maiuri, the superintendent of Pompeii at the time, had foreseen the threat that the war posed to the site. In an effort to protect some of the most valuable artefacts, statues and other objects were buried underground or stored in more secure locations. Nevertheless, many treasures could not be saved, and Maiuri himself was injured by bomb shrapnel during the raids. Maiuri’s reports after the war detailed the devastating impact of the bombings.

The Aftermath and Reconstruction

After the war, the task of reconstructing and restoring Pompeii began. The damage was so extensive that it took years of painstaking work to repair the site. Many of the structures that visitors see today are the result of post-war reconstructions. Ironically, some of the recent collapses of Pompeian buildings did not involve ancient structures but rather these post-World War II reconstructions.

The bombings not only caused significant physical damage but also resulted in the loss of invaluable historical artefacts. Despite the efforts to protect and restore the site, the impact of the bombings is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of cultural heritage in times of war.

Prayer in Time of War is out now. Read more about the novel here. Read more about life in wartime Naples here.  Order your copy today.