Italy in WW2

Question 1

When did Italy join the war ?

Answer 1

10th June 1940

Question 2

Key issues shown in Alpine Warfare

Answer 2

In June 1940, Italian troops marched through the alps into France

Lacked alpine clothing
Airforce lacked bombs
Tanks were ineffective
Death from frostbite

France signed an armistice with Germany on 22nd June - saving the Italian Govt. from further embarrassing

Question 3

Failures in Africa

Answer 3

1940
Oct - Italian forces ordered to attack British forces in Libya
Dec - British Counter-attack , Italians fall into mass retreat

1941
Jan - Italian forces (250,000) were defeated by British (30,000 + well-equiped)

May - Italy had lost Eritrea, Somalia + Abyssinia

In total, 380,000 Italian soldiers were captured, Hitler’s parallel war idea had failed

1943
May - German-Italian Axis surrender North Africa

Question 4

Why were Italy unable to challenge British Mediterranean positions ?

Answer 4

Navy crippled by British air attack (Nov 1940)
Poor coordination between airforce / Navy
Italy lacked aircraft carriers

Question 5

Failures in Greece

Answer 5

Italy launch attack on Greece in Oct 1940

Underestimated Greek forces (expected = 30,000 vs actual = 300,000)
Navy / airforce were uncoordinated
Difficult weather
Greeks pushed into Albania (claimed 1/4)
Had to deploy 500k - 32k killed + 100k wounded
After 6 months, Mussolini had to call on Hitler for help

Question 6

How did Mussolini contribute to the failing Army ?

Answer 6

Mussolini held all prominent positions - eg. Minister of War/Navy/Airforce etc.
Mussolini spent time on German lessons, Opera Planning + with his mistress

Question 7

How did poor tactics contribute to the failing Army ?

Answer 7

Italy had 75 divisions, only able to equip 35 of them
1/3 of all tanks + 1/4 artillery was destroyed by the British whilst crossing the Mediterranean.
Many of the weapons were from WW1
Italy had very few aircraft carriers / long range bombers
Worsening rations / clothing
Language problems between officers + troops
Low morale
Outdated tactics - eg. 19th century charges

Question 8

Evidence of the failing war economy

Answer 8

1942 - US weekly aircraft production = Italian annual
Lacked fuel and raw materials
1.7 mil tonnes steel (Italy) < 14 mil (Britain)
Vehicle production fell throughout the war
Only operating at 25% of productive capacity
Only belligerent whose GDP did not rise (1940-42)
>10,000 still unmployed
Rations were low - <1,000 calories a day