Wartime Crime

The Nazi occupation of France liberated Dr Marcel Petios murderous instincts enabling him to embark on a shocking killing spree becoming one of WWIIs most notorious serial killers Believing what he was doing was right he went to great lengths to keep up his murders claiming that his victims were German collaborators He was convicted of 26 murders and was executed by guillotine in 1946

As bombs dropped and the war was waged in Londons streets the stage for massive organized crime was set One man crime boss Billy Hill took advantage of the chaos during the Blitz of London and became the Godfather of London Born William Charles Hill in 1911 he was a prominent figure in the London underworld He would go on to be someone of great power and invoke fear in all who crossed him

When the US military took over the German Kronberg Castle in 1945 a scandalous affair ensued between US Army Captain Kathleen Nash and Air Force Officer David Watson leading to one of the most elaborate treasure heists of all time Nash who was in charge of inventorying and securing the castles contents discovered a hidden cache of valuables Did these usurpers manage to pull it off

In 1943 White servicemen attacked Hispanic youths who were seen as unpatriotic due to the style of clothes they wore This series of violent clashes pitted servicemen stationed in Southern California against Mexican American youths who were easily recognizable by their distinctive style of dress called zoot suits The police largely opposed the youths arresting them and not the attackers

In Nazi Germany and Britain, blackouts were a necessity for defending against enemy bombing. However they were a useful tool for criminals, allowing two serial killers to use the darkness to prey upon victims.

Incensed by their treatment under Mussolinis regime and anxious to reestablish their European criminal network several Mafiosi including incarcerated kingpin Charles Lucky Luciano offered their full support to American intelligence officers How did this connection assist the United States in fighting fascism Was collaborating with the Sicilian Mafia enough to turn battles in their favor