Italian Fascist Youth: World War II--Level Activities

Figure 1.--This propaganda photograph was approved for foreign distribution. It shows a sternly posing Mussolini with each of the different sections of the Fascist Youth movemebt during World War II. They are all young people who had lost their fathers in the war. The caption read, "Il Duce riceve a Palazzo Venezia una rappresentanza orfani di Caduti Fascisti, accompagnate dal Presidente al'Associazione stesse." This translate as "The Duce receives an orphan representation of Fallen Fascists at Palazzo Venezia, accompanied by the President of the Association." The photograph is dated 7/11/41. We think that means Movember 11, 1941. Source Instituto Nazionale per le Relazioni Culturali con l]Estero.

The activities of the Fascist youth movement differed by the the structure age structured organization. This would have included the wartime and military training activities. The group began with a basically Scout like structure. Rventually a group for yonger boys below Cub age--Figli della Lupa (Children of the She-Wolf, referring to the Romulus and Remus nyth. These were boys 6-8 years old. The basis Balilla (boys) and Piccole Italiane (girls) was fir children age 8-14 years. The Avanguardisti and Giovani Italiane was for children 14-18 years old. Those youth iterested in becoming more involved in Fscism could join additional groups of the Fasci Giovanili di Combattimento and Giovani Fasciste (GUF). These were youth 18-22 years old. Youth persuing higher education had to join the GUF. We do not know yet just what war time activities in which these various groups were involved.