2007-09-08 04:35:02 · 27 answers · asked by Billy j 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Good god,its over 50 years ago,get over it ,move on.
2007-09-08 04:42:12 · answer #1 · answered by Pat R 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
The Italians fought half-heartedly in World War II. The reason is not cowardice, but rather they didn't believe in the promise of their leader Benito Mussolini in re-building Italy into a new Roman Empire. Most Italians at that time never wanted war, but were reluctantly dragged into it because Mussolini previously signed an alliance with Germany and Japan (the Axis Alliance). When Germany invaded Poland, both France and Great Britain (who previously promised to defend Poland) declared war on Germany, thus starting the Second World War. Italy, being Germany's Axis ally, had no choice but to support Germany in the war. Most Italians felt that it would had been better for Italy if Mussolini never signed an alliance with Hitler. But now that Germany is at war, the Italians were compelled to fight alongside Germany.
2007-09-08 06:00:20 · answer #2 · answered by Botsakis G 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, they didn't run away. Mussolini wanted to expand a new "Roman Empire" , but neither the quality of his aemaments, or the willingness or dicsipline of the troops, match his ego. The Italian forces just didn't believe in the war, and felt that it was not going to be won.
Once Sicily had been taken by the Allies, Il Duce was deposed. The Italians were smart enough to see that the Axis forces were going to lose.
2007-09-08 04:48:14 · answer #3 · answered by commanderbuck383 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It might surpise many of the ignorant posters here to know that Italy fought for the Allied side in WW1, taking heavy losses against the Austro-Hungarians in the high mountains of the Alps, they suffered heavy casualties due to obsolete equipment and the weather.
They, like the French, had no stomach for another war less than 20 years later, when the memories of the suffering of WW1 were still fresh in the memories of many people who had served and lost love ones.
The same mentality was prevelant in the USA until the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour, so does that make the Americans of pre December 1941 any better or worse than the Italians and French??
2007-09-08 06:08:37 · answer #4 · answered by conranger1 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Italians had lots of problems in WW II, including being equipped with obsolete tools. Leadership and morale were often problems, as well. But the idea of the Italians being completely inept isn't quite accurate or fair. Some units fought quite well, when supplied and led properly.
2007-09-08 05:35:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fundamentally, because the nation of Italy was less than 100 years old so had no unified military tradition.
Practically, because they relaxed in a series of defensive positions (Libya & Etheopia) after an initial advance, and had the bad luck to be counter-attacked by a proper army - Britain's.
Temperamentally, because Mussolini had promised them easy victory so they were shocked at the reality of war.
2007-09-08 04:48:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many Italians fought against Hitler after they disposed of their dictator Mussolini. He had taken the German side and the people of Italy got fed up with their government and hanged Mussolini. Perhaps when the good people of the UK have had enough of the governments giving our country away to Europe we'll revolt and who knows who we'll hang?
2007-09-08 10:07:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They didn't run away, they surrendered in their thousands. The POW camps in Italy were so overcrowded, that thousands of them were sent to POW camps in Britain. When I was a schoolboy going to school, in the morning, I would see convoys of Italian and german POWs in army lorries being taken out to work.
2007-09-09 08:40:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the French had used up ALL the surrender flags in Europe. The Italians saw what the Germans did to the French when they surrendered and thought running away was more honorable. Damn.... Im funny!!
2007-09-08 05:37:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Italy was ruled by a dictatorship, Italians didnt want to die on behalf of a Dictator( Benito Mussolini).BTW he, as Franco and Hitler were supported by USA during the `30 as they were furiously anti semites and anti marxists.That´s why USA reffused to accept Jews during the `30.
2007-09-08 04:46:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Shock horror I would have run away sooner than fight for fat Benito and his Fascist prats. And not all of them did runaway. We had our casualties when we fought them in the Western Desert so some of them stood and fought, if you think otherwise you demean the valour of our own troops
2007-09-08 05:03:43 · answer #11 · answered by inthedark 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋