War economy and military weaknesses

Question 1

Mussolini’s roles

Answer 1

Mussolini blamed military defeats on weakness of Italian people who were not true fascists; in reality, economy was inadequate, so was military preparation and Mussolini’s leadership
Mussolini was Minister of War, Navy, Air Force and Supreme Commander of armed forces
Mussolini took all important decisions without consulting military experts
Focused on trivial things, not major decisions
Spent time on his German lessons as he disliked detailed discussion
Gave military leaders vague instructions on improving war production, but never said how

Question 2

equipment

Answer 2

Italy had 75 divisions but only adequate equipment for 35; lacked vehicles suitable for Africa. ⅓ tanks, ¼ or artillery being supplied to Africa was destroyed by British attacks on Mediterranean
Many of rifles and canons supplied to army were from WW1; Italy had few aircraft carriers and naval ships had no radar equipment and little oil. Outdated air force and no long range bombers to attack British in Egypt or Gibraltar. Low rations and worse clothing than WW1

Question 3

language problems

Answer 3

Language problems between office class and peasant conscripts; many did not understand what they were fighting for. Low morale; lots of Italian prisoners taken by British forces in Africa

Question 4

Outdated tactics

Answer 4

British reported that Italians still employed 19th century charges against enemy position, which were virtually suicidal for WW2

Question 5

economy inadequate

Answer 5

1942: USA could produce more aircrafts in a week than Italy in a year
Italy lacked fuel and raw materials; imported 1.5M tonnes of oil from Romania; ½ of what was needed during peacetime
Dependent on German coal, but received 1M tonnes a month

Question 6

ww2 economy statistics

Answer 6

Steel production fell to 1.7M tonnes in 1943; Britain produced 14M tonnes
Fiat and Spa produced 2,550 vehicles a month in 1941; 4883 in 1938
Factories lacked raw materials
Military equipment was outdated and inadequate
Industry operated ar 25% of potential; only country that did not increase GDP during 1940-42 in war
Lots of unemployment; other countries had 100%
Improved production in 1942 set back by Allied bombing of industrial cities

Question 7

poor coordination of supplies

Answer 7

Poor coordination of food supplies; rationing allowed adults 1000 calories a day
Coffee was a luxury; many poorer Italians found it hard to get bread or pasta
1943: fascism at a critical point