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The Wehrmacht: The German Army of World War II, 1939–1945. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 1-57958-312-1. Rothenberg, Gunther Erich (1981). The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-20260-4. Sadkovich, James J. (1989). "Understanding Defeat: Reappraising Italy's Role in World War II". Journal of Contemporary History.
As World War II began, Ciano and Viscount Halifax were holding secret phone conversations. The British wanted Italy on their side against Germany as it had been in World War I. [142] French government opinion was more geared towards action against Italy, as they were eager to attack Italy in Libya.
The Italian Army of World War II was a "Royal" army.The nominal Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Royal Army was His Majesty King Vittorio Emanuele III.As Commander-in-Chief of all Italian armed forces, Vittorio Emanuele also commanded the Royal Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) and the Royal Navy (Regia Marina).
The Axis Powers of World War II was established with the signing of the Tripartite Pact in 1940 and pursued a strongly militarist and nationalist ideology; with a policy of anti-communism. During the early phase of the war, puppet governments were established in their occupied nations. When the war ended, many of them faced trials for war crimes.
After 887, Italy fell into instability, with many rulers claiming the kingship simultaneously: Berengar I (888 – 896) vassal of the German King Arnulf of Carinthia, reduced to Friuli 889-894, deposed by Arnulf in 896. Guy of Spoleto (889 – 894) opponent of Berengar, ruled most of Italy but was deposed by Arnulf. Lambert of Spoleto (891 – 896)
During the monarchy period, prime ministers were appointed by the king of Italy, as laid down in the Albertine Statute. [5] From 1925 until the fall of his regime in 1943, fascist dictator Benito Mussolini formally modified the office title to "Head of Government, Prime Minister and Secretary of State". [ 6 ]
The fifth phase (1940–1943) was World War II itself, ending in military defeat, while the sixth and final phase (1943–1945) was the rump Salò Government under German control. [2] Italy was a leading member of the Axis powers in World War II, battling with initial success on several fronts.
[29] [30] [l] On the Western Front of World War II, Italy was the most costly campaign in terms of casualties suffered by infantry forces of both sides, during bitter small-scale fighting around strongpoints at the Winter Line, the Anzio beachhead and the Gothic Line. [31]