An interesting aspect of this phase of the war, was the Allied use of both its US and Sicily based Mafia connections that assisted the Allied forces war efforts in Sicily by gathering military and local intelligence prior to the invasion.

The Armistice of Cassibile (located about 20 minutes or so from Siracusa, Sicily) was signed on September 3rd, 1943, ending ItalyвЂ™s involvement in the Axis Powers. There are a number of interesting landing sites, ancient buildings that still manifest the scars of bombings and gunfire, air-raid shelters carved into ancient catacombs, German pillbox bunkers strewn along the coast and hillside watch points, and other architectural artifacts from the period. Starting on July 9th, 1943 (and lasting six weeks), the Allies drove the Axis powers from the island and paved the way for the invasion of Mainland Italy. Sicily played an important role towards the end of WWII with the Allies and Operation Husky, which used the island as a base for its air and sea offensive. By the time of your trip, though, all should be back to normal and peaceful. Randy, over the next few days the beaches of Normandy (like the one pictured above) will be bustling with 70th anniversary activity. The Germans used the Castle as a high-security prison for Allied officers who were considered particularly dangerous and had escaped from other prisoner-of-war camps many managed to break out of the Castle anyway, and you can tour the escape tunnels. As for Germany, the court room in Nuremberg is a must, of course, but Rudi says a highlight for World War II buffs is a visit to Colditz Castle, near Leipzig. Rudi can even fly you by helicopter from London to one of the Landing Beaches in Normandy! As you move through France toward Germany, he might recommend you make time for some of the underground fortresses along the Maginot Line. ItвЂ™s currently closed for renovation, but just last week he got some travelers inside it privately with a historian. He may suggest that you start off in London at the Imperial War Museum. Rudi is imaginative with itineraries, so fasten your seatbelt. Over the years, he has made private guided WWII itineraries a subspecialty, and he also has close relationships with the general managers of EuropeвЂ™s finest hotels, and that translates into preferred treatment and extra benefits for you. HeвЂ™s a particularly well-connected travel agent who was born in Germany (where his older brothers were actually drafted into the Hitler Youth) and raised in Switzerland. My suggestion is that you reach out to Rudi Steele of Rudi Steele Travel. Randy, this means you need a Western Europe travel specialist with knowledge of, and access to, the best guides for these sites. With the 70th Anniversary of D-DayВ coming up this Friday, thereвЂ™s a lot of interest right now in European itineraries that encompass the Normandy landing beaches and other WWII sites. Who should we contact to help us plan such a trip? We want very knowledgable guides in each place and want to stay in the nicest accommodations. My husband and I are seasoned travelers and would like to take a trip to see some of EuropeвЂ™s important World War II sights, including Normandy, the Ardennes, Amsterdam, Munich, and Nuremberg-and weвЂ™re open to other suggestions.

European war tours