did Benito Mussolini have a strong military during his reign or did they stink?
2007-03-10 16:32:22 · 8 answers · asked by Lakers 2010 Champs!!!! 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
The army had 72 divisions, mostly of unmechanized infantry. There were three armoured divisions but their tanks were of a poor quality. The infantry were poorly trained and were paid low wages.
When the Allies invaded Italy on 3rd September 1943 only 12 divisions were available for home defence. They were soon beaten and the Italian government surrendered five days later.
2007-03-10 16:46:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Italian military did not benefit from the same quality of leadership, nor the same dedication of it's troops as their German ally. They did have some decent equipment, but in general their tanks were sub-standard and they were not fully equipped.
However, the Italian Navy was top notch. The British were wary of the Italian fleet. But here again, leadership did not allow it to live up to potential. They were never aggressive enough to make any real difference.
The Italians had some excellent aircraft, and some good pilots, but no enough of either one to compete with the RAF.
On the whole, a good military. But they did not support their government all that heartily and as a result had a tendency to surrender quite easily.
2007-03-11 03:20:30 · answer #2 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the great laughs of History was a visit by Hitler to Italy. While Hitler was there, he reviewed the Italian military with Mussolini. Watching all those tanks and men go past, Hitler was impressed and believed that the Italian military machine was so great that Italy was a worth while ally.
What Hitler did not know was that the Italian military was just going around and around the block! Hitler was not seeing one large column of troops and tanks - he was seeing the same troops he had just reviewed only 5 minutes before!
That the Italian attack on Ethopia was disastrous should have been a clear sign to Hitler that the Italian military was absolutely worthless as any kind of ally.
How many gears does an Italian tank have - 1 Reverse?
2007-03-11 00:46:31 · answer #3 · answered by Big B 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Italians had a good material especially in the air, their planes were quite a match for the Spitfire and their pilots were really good. But the problem was rather the commanding officers than the troops. Corruption was rife and most Generals were opposed to the war against England, France and of course the USA.
2007-03-11 01:19:52 · answer #4 · answered by Mimi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stink would be unfair. While they weren't the Wehrmacht, they did give the British and Americans a decent fight in North Africa, Sicily and Anzio.
And the militaty was strong enough to keep people afraid of Mussolini, which was his primary objective.
2007-03-11 00:45:02 · answer #5 · answered by parrotjohn2001 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Compare to German military (the mightest army at that time), they were just weaklings cannot do more than whining... They faced too many defeats, and Hitler had to his precious army for saving this hopeless weaklings
2007-03-11 06:59:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They looked very dashing but in Battle they were less effective than the German Army.
2007-03-11 00:39:57 · answer #7 · answered by fatsausage 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only his troops that were under Rommel were really any good.
2007-03-11 00:44:35 · answer #8 · answered by Chase 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋