War Through Italian Eyes: Fighting for Mussolini, 1940-1943

During World War II, the Italian armed forces were often considered an inferior fighting force, but new research from the National Archives of hundreds of pages of transcripts of covert British surveillance of Italian POWs provides a unique insight into their experiences and opinions. The documents reveal the complexity of the outlook of these men, which contradicts persistent national stereotypes and historiographical trends.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The notion that the Italian armed forces of World War II were a comparatively inferior fighting force is a widely held belief. Despite the significant number of prisoners taken, detailed studies of their experiences remain relatively uncommon, and their contribution to understanding the Italian experience of war under Fascism is often overlooked. However, the existence of hundreds of pages of transcripts of covert British surveillance of Italian POWs in the National Archives has opened up a new avenue for engaging with their perspectives and opinions in greater depth. The so-called "Special Reports" provide historians with a unique insight into how all levels of Italian soldiery perceived Fascist Italy's experience of war, from 1940 to 1943.

This book examines various reactions to Italian political leadership, the progress of the war, and the everyday views of Italian soldiers on a range of subjects, including sex, war, the enemy, death, food, their allies, bravery, race, and killing. These fascinating documents reveal the complexity of the outlooks of these men, which are often overlooked by persistent national stereotypes and historiographical trends.

By delving into the experiences and opinions of Italian POWs, this book sheds light on a previously underappreciated aspect of World War II. It challenges the notion that Italian soldiers were solely motivated by national pride or loyalty to the Fascist regime and provides a more nuanced understanding of their experiences and perspectives. The transcripts of covert surveillance offer a valuable source of information, allowing historians to gain a deeper insight into the thoughts and emotions of these soldiers during a critical period of history.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable contribution to the study of World War II and the Italian experience. It provides a fresh perspective on the war by engaging with the experiences and opinions of Italian POWs, challenging prevailing stereotypes and providing a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of the Italian military and society during this period.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032038476