Figure 1.-- Here we see a scene in Italy, probably during World War II or perhaps even after. Similar svenes could have been photographed throuhout southern and central Italy. It would have never crossed thevminds of the people here that they could ever oen an automobile. It would have been impossible in Italy at the same time. But in America even the poor owned cars that to Henry Ford and the assembly line and the more productive economy. This basic diffeence made a huge difference on the ability of both Italt and Germany to wage war.

Italy was Germany's Axis partner. In terms of population, Itly was amajor European country. In economic terms ot was an industrial light weight. Much of the country ws agricultural and southern Italy was almost feudal with agricultural methods little changed from the Middle Ages. The low yields were part of the reason that although an agricultural coyntry, Italy had to import food, especally grains. The large population and backward agriculture was one reason Italy pushed for African colonies. The demogragraphics of the country we more like a developing country. Several European countries had more modern economies than Italy, including Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. Many of these countries which could have added to the anti-Fascist resistance sought safety in neutrality and pacifism and would pay deary for it during the War. Italy did have an industrial base in the north, but it was not large enough to support modern war with major military powers. Under-Secretary for War Production, Carlo Favagrossa, calculated that Italy could not be prepared for major military operations until at least October 1942. It is difficult to see how this date was reached as Italian industry even if fully mobilized did not have capacity to manufactue the implements of war in suffient quality or quantity. And Hitler's preliminary projections were to launch the war in the early-1940s. The Italo-German negotiations which led to the Pact of Steel May 1939) clearly stated that neither signatory was to make war without the other earlier than 1943. [Walker. p. 19.] THis was the date that Hitler gave his military commandrs. Only the timidity of Hitler's adversaries caused him to accelerate his war plans. Italy's industrial sector was small compared to Britain and France amd miniscule compared to the United States. The automobile industry was key to World War II. I was an autmobile industry that was needed to manufacture the motrized vehicles needed for mobile war. One estimate suggests that Italy's automobile industry wa only abut 15 percent the size of that of Britain and France. There were about 0.4 million cars in Italy, compared to some 2.5 million in Britain and France. Not only did Italy have a relativelly small industrial sector, but it dd not have one which could be coverted tp supply the Italain Army the number of vehicles needed to mechanize or heavy tanks equal to those of the British and Americans. And if the size of Italian inustry suggested the country was not ready for war, worse still was the fact that most raw materials had to be imported. Much of this was done by sea transport, exposing Italy to a Royal Navy blockade. Musolini's decesion to join Hitler in the War ws not an informed one based on Italy's industrial capacity, but on frustration that he was missing out on the booty of conquest. Finally with France already about to fall, Mussolini led an entirely unprepared country to War (June 1940).

Sources

Walker, Ian W. Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts; Mussolini's Elite Armoured Divisions in North Africa . (Ramsbury: The Crowood Press, 2003).

Created: 12:02 AM 4/30/2013
Last updated: 12:02 AM 4/30/2013