Part 1/11:
Italy's Ill-Fated Entry Into World War II: A Study of Overreach and Failures
In June 1940, as France teetered on the brink of collapse under German invasion, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini saw a unique opportunity to expand Italy's imperial reach. Yet, rather than seizing the moment to enhance Italy's standing, Mussolini's decisions led to a series of humiliating failures. The question arises: why did Mussolini declare war on the Allies at such a critical juncture, and to what extent did German ambitions play a role in Italy’s disastrous campaign?