Mussolini and his Generals: The Armed Forces and Fascist Foreign Policy, 1922–1940 (Cambridge Military Histories)
Cambridge University Press
Edition: Illustrated, 12/24/2007
EAN 9780521856027, ISBN10: 0521856027
Hardcover, 666 pages, 23.1 x 16.3 x 4.7 cm
Language: English
This is the first authoritative study of the Italian armed forces and the relationship between the military and foreign policies of Fascist Italy from Mussolini's rise to power in 1922 to the catastrophic defeat of 1940. Using extensive new research, John Gooch explores the nature and development of the three armed forces, their relationships with Mussolini and the impact of his policies and command, the development of operational and strategic thought, and the deployment and use of force in Libya, Abyssinia and Spain. He emphasizes Mussolini's long-term expansionist goals and explains how he responded to the structural pressures of the international system and the contingent pressures of events. This compelling account shows that while Mussolini bore ultimate responsibility for Italy's fateful entry into the Second World War, his generals and admirals bore a share of the blame for defeat through policies that all too often rested on irrationality and incompetence.
Introduction
1. The beginning of the Fascist era, 1922–1925
2. Domestic checks and international balances,1925–1929
3. Military constraints and diplomatic restraint, 1929-1932
4. Moving towards aggression, 1932–1934
5. The trial of force
Abyssinian 1935
6. War, arms and the Axis, 1936–1937
7. The year of true 'realism', 1938
8. 'Speak of peace and prepare for war', 1939–1940
Conclusion
Appendices.
'John Gooch has once again proven himself to be one of the major military historians of twentieth century Europe. This study represents a significant contribution to our understanding of the interwar history of the Italian military and its relationship to Fascist foreign policy before the smashup of 1940. It is particularly good at laying out the dysfunctional nature of Italian foreign and military policies. What is of great use to our historical understanding of the period is that Professor Gooch has provided both context and understanding to the military side of the equation, which has all too often been lacking in the study of Mussolini's Italy.' Williamson Murray, Institute for Defense Analyses