Page 37 - History of War - Issue 29-16

MUSSOLINI’S DOWNFALL
“GERMANY IS TRULY

YOUR FRIEND”

TURNING THEIR BACKS ON NAZI GERMANY HAD DEVASTATING
CONSEQUENCES FOR THE ITALIANS
Posters may have declared that the Italians As well as the territory of the new
had nothing to fear from their long-time Mussolini-headed government, the RSI,
partners in the ‘Pact of Steel’, but the truth Germany also effectively annexed territories
was very different. in the north east of the country, which
Upon surrendering, Italy became nothing conveniently coincided with territory taken
more than a source of men and materials from Austria at the end of World War I. An
for Germany, to be plundered at will. ‘adviser’, Rudolph Rahn, was installed as
Factories were packed up and shipped out German Ambassador to the RSI, further
of the country and Italy was even forced to undermining Mussolini’s power.
pay 10 million lire per month as expenses.
Even food was taken for German soldiers, Right: ‘Here are the liberators’, a propaganda
leaving many on the brink of starvation. poster demonising the US for its party in
bombing campaigns
“UPON ITS SURRENDER TO THE ALLIES, ITALY BECAME

NOTHING MORE THAN A SOURCE OF MEN AND MATERIALS

FOR THE GERMANS, TO BE PLUNDERED AT WILL”

The slaughter at Grotto Via
Ardeatina was carried out
by an SS unit, as revenge for
partisan activity

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