Mussolini and Italy and Winter War

No, it is a historical example to demonstrate a point.

Just as, historically, from the Spanish Civil War, the Italians wrongly concluded: their slower, more maneuverable biplanes were better than modern monoplanes and cautious ambush submarine tactics will win the day.

Just because lessons are learned does not always mean they are the correct ones.

Sending the troops was not detrimental, it was leaving the vast majority of Italian equipment behind when they left Spain.

When? The Winter War or the Continuation War?

Meaning less though, as the Finns never got that far in either war.

 

Mussolini´s point was political. He was shocked that Hitler made a pact with communists and wanted to give all he could to Finns against Stalin. At first Hitler did not stop the shipments but as Stalin noticed and demanded stopping the Italian help, Hitler was forced to stop the help to Finland. Mussolini was even thinking about cutting the pact of steel as Hitler was not concentrating in destroying the communists and this gave Hitler quite alot of headache, as well the Japanese were after this sure that Hitler could not be trusted in the battle against communism. I have some quotes about this from a book of winter war and Italy. We did have some Italian planes as you can see from the Militaria site where I put the photos of Winter War pilots in Finland.

 

Chhers,

been awhile reading about these things

1. Musssolini was totally unaware what Hitller was about to do and believed that a nazi and communist pact were absolutely making the relationships mad. He was also thinking of leaving the steel pact, and afterwards it seems the Japanese never trusted Hitler again. The price to pay in 1939.

2. Italy send military shipments but Hitler stopped many of these due to Ribbentrop pact.

3. Mussolini had no idea of the Ribbentrop pact and was absolutely nuts when the fruits of the pact were picked. Mr M believed Italy was leaving the pact of steel which was a big problem for Hitler..

So avoidiing a 2-front war to Mr Hitler was bought by making his own allies untrust hi. Mussolini was thinking of leaving the pact of steel and the Japanese lost their trust in Hitler.

The Ribbentrop pact actually made his allies say no, while the pact allowed him to attack Poland. In the long run what can you say....