In the late 1930s, Fascist Italy's participation in three wars-in Ethiopia, Spain, and Albania-had taxed its martial capabilities to the utmost. In June 1940, seduced by the prospect of glory on the battlefield and swift territorial acquisitions, Mussolini brought Italy into the war alongside his powerful German ally. This great folly, committed while the Italian Armed Forces were grossly unprepared for a sustained conflict against the Allied Powers, culminated in the deposition of the Duce, an Anglo-American invasion of Italy, and a brutal occupation by its former Axis partner.'Fascist Italy at War: 1939-1943' is a revelatory account of Italy's role in the Second World War. Drawing on rarely seen archival evidence, it examines Italy's disastrous military performance in the Balkan, North African, and Russian theatres-exacerbated by subpar training, inexpert leadership, and limited war materiel-to demonstrate the catastrophic consequences of Mussolini's war policy. It also explores in absorbing detail the political machinations behind the scenes. These cynical intrigues, not only between the Axis leaders, but also between the leading Fascist personalities, undermined the stability of the Fascist regime and ultimately led to its dissolution.
