Dambusters over Rome

[Angiolillo]

Since 1940, the Royal Air Force debated if, in case Rome was bombed, it was better to attack productive places and connections (factories, power plants, railway stations...) or symbolic Palazzo Venezia, Mussolini's office, to kill him and lower Italians' morale.
In December 1942, Operation Audax (aka Operation Dux) is planned: 12 Lancasters of the 5 Group, trained for precision bombings, would appear one early morning (well, 8 AM) in the skies of the Eternal city and destroy both Palazzo Venezia and Villa Torlonia, Mussolini's home, killing Il Duce. Who always do the same route from home to work at the same hour.
Churchill refuses, fearing that some Vatican palace or church is also hit by mistake and that Spain would be offended, entering the war. Or that Mussolini could survive and become even more popular. Even Harris was dubious.

5 Group continues its activities. In May 1943, 617 Squadron shows their skills in Operation Chastise, agains the Ruhr. They become the legendary Dambusters. Harris is very impressed.

On 15 July 1943, 12 Lancasters leave Scampton to attack power plants in San Polo d'Enza and Arquata Scrivia in Northern Italy, to delay Axis reinfofrcements going to Sicily where Allied troops just landed. Then, planes safely land in North Africa. A now enthusiast Harris offers, on the way back, to execute the old plan attacking Mussolini's dwellings. Churchill and the Government discuss that. No, maybe it woul be B-17s' job instead, they answer. Harris is pretty sarcastic about the idea of B-17s making precision attacks. On the 19th, Rome is massively attacked by USAAF, the target being San Lorenzo railway station, but in the dust of the first bombs all the quarter nearby is destroyed. It is a huge massacre. Lancasters return to Scampton on 25 July bombing Leghorn docks instead on the way, again with a heavy toll on civilians. On that same day, Mussolini is deposed and arrested.

I have Italian books speaking about the proposed Operation Audax/Dux and the discussions ensuing, and some RAF documents are available on them. Any quote from British historians or further documents would be very appreciated, thank you.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Very interesting Andrea. I hope someone will be able to enlighten you further on this. It has brought something of which I was unaware to my attention at any rate.

Thanks for posting.
Rob.