German tank, Italian infantry

Florence Airport, 12 May 1935: a pilot and two Regia Aeronautica’s high ranks helping the Duce Benito Mussolini to put the parachute before to leave Florence with his personal aircraft after the meeting with the Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg. The latter is in back of the Duce. Victor Sierra

A parachute for the Duce

Despite the Armistice (8 September 1943) and the declaration of the war of the Kingdom of Italy to Germany (13 October 1943), Italy and Japan was not officially in state of war although the Japanese interned immediately all Italian citizens (servicemen and civilians) present in their country and in their occupied territories. But this conditions of things changed, although only in theory, when, at the time of the Parri’s government (in the photo Ferruccio Parri, one the leader of the Resistance against the Nazi-Fascist, in charge as Premier from 21 May 1945 until 8 December 1945), amazingly on 14 July 1945 the Italy declared war to Japan. Even if few “hot heads” dreamed a military expedition on the Far East (note the date, 14 July 1945!), this odd action was likely suggested by the wish to gain favor with the Allies in hopes of a less harsh peace’s conditions. A vain hope! An oddity: according some historians because, at least seem, the Tokyo’s government never officially acknowledged this war declaration, between the Italy and Japan not exist a peace’s treaty, so the Italy and Japan are still in the war! But Rome as Tokyo not realized this situation! Victor Sierra