Target Italy
Roderick BaileyThis is an unusual book which deals with SOE's secret war against Mussolini from 1940- 1943. Commissioned by the Cabinet Office, it is the official history of SOE operations in Fascist Italy. It is the ful
- Author
- Roderick Bailey
- Publisher
- Faber & Faber
- Price
- £20
- Published
- 2015
Target Italy by Roderick Bailey
This is an unusual book which deals with SOE’s secret war against Mussolini from 1940-1943. Commissioned by the Cabinet Office, it is the official history of SOE operations in Fascist Italy. It is the full story of operations designed to cause a rift between Germany and Italy with an eventual break-up of the alliance.
It is different in that SOE’s role in Italy was exceptionally difficult because Italy was an enemy country at the time, and not an “enemy occupied” country. Different rules applied when trying to topple or encourage resistance to a very powerful authoritarian regime. Many operations were carried out and other drastic measures considered including arming the Mafia and the assassination of Mussolini.
SOE also brokered the very delicate talks between the Allies and Italians that eventually led to the Italian surrender in September 1943. Many agents died in Italy where they often had little support. They arrived on foot from Switzerland, or by submarine or parachute, usually with no extraction plan in place if things went wrong with the exception of Switzerland.
Despite this, radio communications were established, stores, weapons and ammunition were smuggled in and an infrastructure of cells and groupings established which grew into partisan and resistance organisations immediately after the armistice.
ISBN 978057129918-8. Faber & Faber. £20.