An Analysis of Italy's Role and Impact in World War II

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of Italy's involvement in World War II. It details Italy's alliance with Germany, led by Mussolini, and its participation in key campaigns, including those in North Africa and Sicily. The essay examines the impact of Italy's military actions, the failures of leadership within the Italian army, and the country's eventual shift in allegiance. It also explores the internal political dynamics of Italy, including the rise and fall of Mussolini, and the consequences of the war on the nation. The essay highlights the strategic challenges faced by Italy, the lack of advanced weaponry, and the impact of the war on the Italian population and infrastructure. It also contrasts Italy's role with that of Germany and the Allied forces, providing a nuanced understanding of the complex events and their lasting effects.

Running Head: World War-II 0
World War-II
October 5
2019

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Role of Italy in World War-II
During 1939-45, every part of the world gets involved in the war with each other also well
known as the Second World War. The axis powers of this war were Germany, Italy, and Japan
and the countries which become allies together to defeat axis power were France, Great Britain,
Unites States, the Soviet Union, and China [1]. In this war, more than 30 countries were
involved. The main reason for the war was a dispute which was not settled during World War I.
In this war approximately 50,000,000 people died hence it is also known as bloodies conflict in
history. The beginning of the Second World War was arising in Europe in September 1939 when
Poland was invaded by Germany. Due to this act, France and Great Britain attacked Germany on
3rd September whereas, on June 22nd, 1941 war get declared between Germany and U.S.S.R; on
7/8 December 1941 Japan attack Pearl Harbor which was the naval base of America [2]. In the
United Kingdom, the allied powers were led by Winston Churchill, the Soviet Union was
following the command of Joseph Stalin, Charles de Gaulle was leading from France whereas in
the United States the command was under Franklin D. Roosevelt as well as Harry S. Turman.
The Axial powers were led by Adolf Hitler from Germany, Benito Mussolini from Italy and
Hideki Tojo from Japan. By World War II the complete alignment of politics and social structure
of the world was changed [3].
In June 1940 leader of Italy Benito Mussolini decided to become an ally of Germany. Army of
Germany and Italy capture North Africa after getting allied together. Army of these both
countries took over the island of Sicily within thirty-nine days. In the Second World War, the
forces of Italy were led by Mussolini who was the fascist prime minister of the country. He
decided to form an allied army with Germany and in 1943 the allied troops land on Sicily. Public
start support to diminishing Mussolini and after this General Pietro Badoglio took place of
Benito Mussolini [4]. Due to this practice, the Italian troops become unorganized. The allied
forces slowly advanced towards north from the peninsula of Italy and before getting defeated in
1945 the Nazi army rescued Mussolini from the prison of Italy. However, Italy was completely
under control of Germany but Mussolini was decided for making the leader of this puppet nation.
Initially, troops of Italy attacked the British force in Egypt under the operation entitled Sealion. It
was decided that Germany had to conduct their attack from the sea but it was not done by
German troops and when it was noticed by Mussolini that mission is postponed he ordered his

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marshal for launching the 10th Army which comprised of 7 divisions towards the borders of
Egypt to Libya [5]. This complete campaign becomes the reason for a disaster for Italy as their
force get collapsed in North Africa; it was observed that the Marshal of Germany arrived in
Tripoli with their light infantry and Panzer as well as mortar infantry to provide firepower
support to Italy. In the leadership of German Marshal and their firepower somehow Italy gets
relief as they were facing challenges to counter their attack. The two divisions of Italy i.e. Ariete
and Trento made their first attack in North Africa in February 1941. In Ariente 6949 soldiers,
163 tanks, 36 field guns, 61 anti-tank guns, and division of Brescia infantry were included [6].
This increase the manpower of Rommel who had now 100,000 manpower of Italian, 7000 Italian
trucks for supplying the military weapons, 151 aircraft, and 1000 Italian Guns were in his under
control. Benito Mussolini was the political leader of Italy who became the dictator from 1925 to
1945. Basically, from the beginning, he was the revolutionary socialist and through the fascist
movement of parliament, he became the prime minister of the country. Mussolini became the
ally of Adolf Hitler who was a German Dictator for taking part in World War II. Mussolini was
also known as Duce of Italy which is termed as Leader [7].
When the Mussolini came in the power he instructed the ruler of Rome to hand over the control
to Italy else the troops of Italy will attack them. When the King of Rome Victor Emmanuel III
refused to hand over then thousands of fascist armed men entered in Rome. King of Rome
decided to dissolve his government and request Mussolini for forming a new government
according to him. Later when Mussolini became the prime minister of the country he decided to
open a group entitled as Opera Nazionale Balilla in which the children were also pressurized to
join; during this, all the communist in the country were arrested or expelled from parliament now
more than 66% of Italy was under control of fascist. In the beginning, Mussolini refused to
accept the proposal of Germany later the partnership between Hitler and Mussolini grew up.
During the invasion of Ethiopia, the second country was Germany which helps to recognize the
legitimacy of Italy. In the civil war of Spain and Francisco Franco Mussolini and Hitler were
together, in both of this war Mussolini helped Germany by providing 50,000 troops [8]. When
the troops of Germany invaded Denmark and Norway Mussolini get influenced and convinced
that Hitler would win the war. When Hitler announced to attack France Mussolini also
announced their entrance in war.

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Eritrea and Somalia in Africa were under control of Italy, in 1935 Mussolini sent his army under
the command of General Pietro Badogilo for capturing Ethiopia. The league of Nation imposed a
ban for selling arms, rubber and some metals associated with weapons to Italy after observing
aggressive behave of Italy. Italy attacked with 40000 troops on Ethiopia with modern tanks and
airplanes. Army of Ethiopia was not enough capable to stand against this power of Italy and this
attack forced the king of the country to flee towards England. Troops of Italy were successfully
able to capture the capital of Ethiopia [9]. When Adolf Hitler observes the achievements of
Mussolini he was highly influenced by him and when he gets the rule of Germany; Hitler
decided to develop a relationship with Italy. Benito signed an alliance for the total defense with
Germany after the invasion of Albania. Mussolini did not declare war on Britain and France
before 10th June 1940 when he observes the attack of Germany and gets influenced on the
victory of Hitler. In the Italian army which was based in Libya over a million soldiers were
included. Marshall Rodolfo Graziani with five divisions of Italy invaded Egypt but they had to
halt because of the British army present in the neighborhood of an Italian Army. Later in October
1940 the Italian Army also conduct their attack over Greece which was failed. The Italian Army
had to suffer huge casualties in all of these invasions. They had to push themselves back to
800km away from Egypt and the army of Britain was able to capture the port of Tobruk from
Italy. This condition makes Italy dependent upon the army of Germany also the ministry of
foreign affairs was disappointed about Mussolini from the way he was managing the country.
Losing Sicily became a great problem for Mussolini because all the allied powers will use the
island for invading Italy. The allied powers already invaded Italy but Adolf Hitler sent a group of
airborne for the rescue mission of Mussolini. After the successful rescue mission, Hitler made
Mussolini leader of northern Italy which was captured by Germany. After Germany get defeated
in war and Hitler shot himself at the end of World War-II, Mussolini was caught by the
communist and shot by them. Now Italy was without any leader which divides the people of Italy
into two divisions. Some part of the population wants to remain a republic while some people
want the communist or socialist rule in Italy. On July 10th, 1943 an operation was introduced
named Operation Husky for invading upon Sicily. According to the expectation of Allied forces,
the fascist army fell before then that, and on 24th July the prime minister of Italy Benito
Mussolini was arrested by allied forces. The main reason behind the defeat of Mussolini was due
to a lack of leadership in the army. There were no qualified officers were available in the Italian

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army. Mussolini filled the assigned people who were loyal towards him for the high-rank officer
in the army. Under the command of Germany, the Italian forces performed better and in the
invasion of Russia, the Italian forces fought in a very well manner instead of harsh weather and a
large number of Russian troops. It was also examined that from the beginning of the war Italy
was not interested in war. Their enthusiasm did not match with the entrance in the war. To
conquer the Mediterranean Mussolini and his fascist supporter were interested and have a desire
for war [10].
After two years of fighting in the war, the Germany troops were carrying all of themselves and
there were very few signs which were explaining the resistance of German rule in Western
Europe. The forces of Italy were not organized properly as there was a huge absence of
leadership in their troops but when troops of Italy invaded Germany then Hitler gets little support
of the defense. Troops of Germany overrun Greece and Yugoslavia and in the north, they were
pushing Britain by threatening Egypt and Suez Canal. The main challenges which were facing by
Germany were that they did not have proper resources to fight. While by the end of 1941
American leaders were providing support of arms and infantry to Britain. The day when Pearl
Harbor was attacked by Japan through bombs leader of Germany Hitler found this as an
opportunity to invade on convoys of America without any fear he declared the war against the
US. For this attack, Germany develops approximately 15000 combat aircraft in 1942 which was
increased up to 26000 in 1943 and in 1944 the quantity was 40000. But the number of aircraft in
America was high as compared with Germany the figures were 48000, 86000, and 114,000
respectively. Romania and Hungary were the main suppliers of fuel to Germany but the quantity
was not enough for tanks and fighter planes. Rommel decided to push towards Northern Africa
to cut off the supply route of Britain through the Suez Canal [11]. When Germany pushed
forward in northern Africa to control the island but British general was already present there with
the huge defense and after 12 days the forces of Germany and Italy were not able to break the
line of forces of Britain. Due to lack of sources as well as lack of enthusiasm Germany was not
getting expected support and defense which leads to surrender in Morocco and Algeria. The
weapons which were used by Italy were not advanced according to the time; many of the
equipment and weapons were used in World War-I. However, Italy was also not able to develop
and design the weapons and technologies which can provide support to them in the war to fight.
The high command of Italy was not eligible and qualified to make strategies to control the

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situation in the war [12]. Germany was not capable to fight against the allied powers. All these
events impact on the morale of Germany and its troops. The arms production of Germany was
also affected by the invasion of Churchill and Roosevelt. Due to bombing from the United States
and Britain almost 40000 people in Germany get killed and approximately 125000 people were
injured. This war makes 900000 people homeless in Germany the cities of the countries were
destroyed. By the end of 1943 German forces were eradicated from east and Italy, as a result, the
German had to surrender [13].

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