Fascist Italy and war, 1940-45
Italy’s international position in 1939
Superficially, by 1939, Italy’s prestige had been boosted and it had achieved a relatively secure
international position; Fascist aggression had succeeded in Abyssinia (1935-6), Spain (1936-9) and
Albania (1939) and the signing of the Pact of Steel (1939) meant Mussolini was closely allied with
Hitler.
Italy’s international postion was actually far weaker than it appeared. Germany’s Anschluss with
Austria (1938) made Germany stronger and removed the buffer between Germany and Italy. Despite
the boasting of Fascist propaganda, economic failings, institutional incompetence and the drain on
resources of earlier conflicts meant Italy’s military was not prepared to enter a conflict of such scale;
Mussolini himself told Hitler that Italy would not ready for war until 1943.
Mussolini was unsure of which side to join. Most of the time, he expected that Italy would join
Germans, however, he occasionally discussed the possibility of long-term neutrality or joining the
British and French (a decision pushed strongly by Grandi and Ciano).
The decision to enter the War
Mussolini decided to enter WW2, on June 10th 1940, for a number of reasons.
Opportunism: By June 1940, Germany occupied Poland, Denmark, Holland, Belgium and Norway
and British forces had withdrawn from Dunkirk. With a French surrender imminent, it seemed as if
the war was drawing to a close, an ideal time for Mussolini to join; Italy would not be exposed to a
drawn-out conflict, which it could not cope with militarily or economically but Mussolini could still
capitalise off, of what was essentially a German victory. As Mussolini himself explained, he only
needed ‘a few thousand dead’ so that he could sit at the peace table with the victors.
Greed: Sitting at the victors’ table, he hoped to acquire south-west France, Nice in particular, the
island of Corsica, the French colonies in Tunisia, British Malta, Crete and Cypress. Moreover,
Mussolini hoped that with the defeat of the British and French, he would be able to take over further
territories in Egypt and East Africa, replacing the British and French Empires with an Italian Empire.
Mussolini sought prestige, to be on the same level as Hitler, whom he saw as the most powerful man
in Europe at the time; he desperately wanted to avoid becoming a ‘grade B country’.
Ideology: Mussolini’s ideological obsession with war and violence meant that he saw war as a way to
glorify Fascism. He believed that conflict was essential to indoctrinate martial spirit into the Italian
people and so transform Italians into Fascists, thus consolidating his regime. Mussolini said to Ciano
that “When a people is dominated by the instincts of the vegetative life, there is only one way to save
it; by the use of force. Even those whom it strikes down will be grateful for it... The Italian race is a
race of sheep, and 18 years are not enough to change it.”
Fear: Mussolini was also aware that his Fascist regime would be threatened by Britain and France,
who might see as too similar to Hitler’s regime, if they won the war. He also feared how powerful
Hitler might become if Germany won a decisive victory alone.
Economic: Germany had turned Italy into a virtual economic colony, purchasing its foods and textiles;
by 1939 Germany owed Italy over 40 million dollars. In return, Italy had become increasingly reliant
on German imports of strategic materials, notably coal and iron ore (Germany sent 7 million tons/year
of coal to Italy).
Domestic security: Mussolini’s regime, which was held together by an imperialist and aggressive
rhetoric, had been pumping out propaganda about the importance of war for so long that it would have
been severely humiliating and debilitating for Mussolini’s domestic position for him to remain
neutral. Some historians have even argued that non-belligerence would result in the downfall of
Mussolini and Fascism in Italy. Furthermore, with the failure of the Cooperate State and lower
, standard of living following the Spanish Civil War, Mussolini sought a victory which could again
unite the population and boost support for the regime.
Mussolini’s war aims
A short conflict (due to a lack of preparation Italy would not cope with a drawn-out conflict, militarily
or economically).
A place at the victors’ tables so to make territorial gains. He also wanted to boost international
prestige, so that Italy would as seen as one of the ‘Great’ European powers; a power which would not
stand for the humiliating ‘mutilated victory’ that it had suffered after WW1.
Mare nostrum, a desire to control of the Mediterranean. This would involve taking control of
strategically important territories, including Gibraltar (Western entrance to the Mediterranean), the
Suez Canal (fastest route to Africa and Asia), Cypress, Malta, Corsica and Crete, securing protection
against British influence.
To build up an Italian Empire in Africa (particularly domination of Tunisia), which would increase
prestige, increase spazio vitale, help fulfil the autarky policy, provide resources and lucrative markets.
To extend control of the Balkans, including Greece and Yugoslavia.
To take control of Italia Irredenta (any Italian-speaking territories), which included Nice and Savoy.
Although Mussolini wanted a weakened Britain and France, which would allow him carry out his
ambitions in Africa and the Mediterranean, he did not them completly destroyed. Mussolini feared
Germany’s potential power, ecspecially with Anschluss, which left no buffer between German and
Italian territory. A relatively strong Britain and France could balance Germany, reducing the potential
threat that it might pose.
To improve his domestic postion.
To renew Fascism and transform the Italian population into a population of Fascists.
The conquest of France (June 1940)
German forces reached Paris on 14th June, 3 days before the Italians were even ordered into action and
6 days before they did any fighting.
On 21st June, Mussolini met Hitler in Munich.
On 22nd June, Pétain signed an armistice with Hitler. Mussolini was not even invited to the signing.
In total, Italy’s war in France lasted 100 hours and cost 630 Italian soliders.
Mussolini had hoped to gain Tunisia and Corsica, to occupy South West France and to seize the
French fleet. His only reward was the very small strip of territory that his troops had occupied in the
invasion of Menton, just over the French-Italian border. Italy, therefore, won just the 2 small towns of
Modane and Briancon.
He did not take advantage of the opportunity to attack Britain in the Mediterranean, when he might
have been able to seize Egypt and the Suez Canal as the Allies were engaged in the Battle of Britain
with Hitler. Instead, Mussolini wasted resources on an unnecessary invasion of France.
Parallel War
Italy and Germany would fight the same opponents, but in different theatres of war and for specific
national aims.
Italy would fight in North/East Africa, the Balkans and Middle East while Germany would fight in
Eastern Europe.
The invasion of Greece (October 1940-May 1941)
In October 1940, Mussolini ordered partial demobilisation but a week later decided to attack Greece.
