Ask most people, and the first thing they'll tell you about Italy's involvement in World War II is that they switched sides from the Axis to the Allies.
However, the truth is a little more complicated than that:
Italy's actions during World War II
Mussolini was interested in making Italy an imperial power, but was reluctant to enter Germany's war.
In the 1930's, Italy invaded Ethiopia, but became bogged down in that war, eventually needing the support of Germany.
Italy later invaded Abyssinia, Albania, and Greece, but again, met stiff resistance and had to be bailed out by the Germans.
Italy did not take part in the invasion of France, however, until Germany had entered Paris - and then only occupied part of Southern France.
Italians, for the most part, were not enthusiastic about the war and welcomed the Americans and British when they landed in 1943.
Mussolini was finally deposed with a vote of no confidence by his own government, which then sought to transfer power back to King Emmanuel.
The end to Italy's involvement in World Ward 2
Germany rescued Mussolini (in the famous Skorzeny raid) and set up a puppet government in northern Italy, then occupied Rome and offerred stiff resistance to the Allied liberators.
Rome was taken by the allies just prior to the invasion of Normandy, so its liberation was greatly overshadowed by operation Overlord.
Hope this helped fill in the gaps!
However, the truth is a little more complicated than that:
Mussolini was interested in making Italy an imperial power, but was reluctant to enter Germany's war.
In the 1930's, Italy invaded Ethiopia, but became bogged down in that war, eventually needing the support of Germany.
Italy later invaded Abyssinia, Albania, and Greece, but again, met stiff resistance and had to be bailed out by the Germans.
Italy did not take part in the invasion of France, however, until Germany had entered Paris - and then only occupied part of Southern France.
Italians, for the most part, were not enthusiastic about the war and welcomed the Americans and British when they landed in 1943.
Mussolini was finally deposed with a vote of no confidence by his own government, which then sought to transfer power back to King Emmanuel.
The end to Italy's involvement in World Ward 2
Germany rescued Mussolini (in the famous Skorzeny raid) and set up a puppet government in northern Italy, then occupied Rome and offerred stiff resistance to the Allied liberators.
Rome was taken by the allies just prior to the invasion of Normandy, so its liberation was greatly overshadowed by operation Overlord.
Hope this helped fill in the gaps!
