The capitulation of Fascist Italy was announced. The capitulation of Italy came because of the defeats suffered by the German and Italian armies on the main fronts of the Second World War and the crisis in which Italy was plunged, due to the engagement in an unjust war. After the defeat that Hitler’s Germany and its allies suffered at Stalingrad, Italy lost all hope of winning the war. In July, Anglo-American forces landed in Sicily and in August in the Apennine Peninsula, further aggravating the position of the Fascist Axis. Under such circumstances, Badolio’s government, which had come to power after the fall of Mussolini, was forced to announce Italy’s capitulation and begin negotiations with the Allies for exiting the war. Italy’s capitulation was a heavy blow to the Fascist Bloc. After signing the act of capitulation with the Allies of the Anti-Fascist Coalition, Marshal Badolio announced to the command of the Italian troops in Albania that the alliance with Germany had ended. Consequently, any cooperation with German commands and units would be cut off. Meanwhile, Italian units were instructed to cease hostilities against Partisan and other anti-fascist forces, to enter contact with their commands, and to be told that they were ready to fight together against the German troops. They, too, would be handed over all available war material. The capitulation of Italy created a new situation. In accordance with it, the Albanian resistance forces determined the attitude towards the Italian army, which was defeated and awaiting the order to leave Albania, as well as towards the Nazi army, which was ready to take its place, to invade Albania. (Pictured: General Staff Circular on the treatment of Italian soldiers after the capitulation of Fascist Italy.)
Text: The history of the Albanian people – Vol. IV, Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Toena“, Tirana, 2009, page 74-76.
Photo: © Central State Archives
Graphic processing: AHCF
