Italy remains tied to Germany but by mid 1943 support wanes for Mussolini's tactics and the Allies invade the Italian mainland shortly after Mussolini is deposed © 2011 Paul Forte
June 1941
10 July 1943
19 July 1943
25 July 1943
3 September 1943
8 September 1943
9 September 1943 German troops, once they have discovered that the Italians have signed an armistice, move quickly to disarm the Italian forces and to take over critical defensive positions (Operation Achse). The Allied armies continue to advance through Italy despite increasing opposition from the Germans. The Allies soon control most of southern Italy, and Naples rises against and ejects the occupying German forces. The Allies organise some Italian troops in the south into what were known as "co-belligerent" or "royalist" forces. In time, there is a co-belligerent army, navy, and air force. These Italian forces fight alongside the Allies for the rest of the war. Other Italian troops, loyal to Mussolini and his Repubblica Sociale Italiana, continue to fight alongside the Germans.
12 September 1943
13 October 1943
Autumn 1943 Map showing Allied invasion of Italy in September 1943 Field Marshall Sir Harold Alexander, Supreme Allied Commander of Forces in Italy visitors to this site |