Viva Balbo! – An Alternate Duce, an Alternate Italy

[DuQuense]

Nice TL, & Nice Pictures except they are too wide.

?Anyway you can open then in Paint and Scale them down to fit the Page.?

[Geekhis Khan]

Part f: Axis and Spanish Intervention


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Benito_Mussolini_and_Adolf_Hitler.jpg
The Formation of the Rome-Berlin Axis

The years following the Italian conquest of Ethiopia saw the Fascist nation falling ever more into the orbit of the resurgent German Reich under Adolph Hitler. Increasingly alienated from the world community following the international backlash over the Abyssinian conquest, Italy under Mussolini found a willing partner in the aggressive young German Fuhrer. […] Part of this newfound diplomatic alignment was certainly strategic, yet politics were a major component as well. The two Authori-Collectivist nations shared many aspects, from their cult of personality to their totalitarian bureaucratic structure to their expansionist aims. Hitler’s ascension and his National Socialists’ ceremony and political-economic views certainly took their cues from Mussolini’s Fascism. Mussolini also saw in Hitler a young devotee and apprentice and saw himself as a mentor for the fledgling dictator. Yet as is often the case in history and literature the “apprentice” was destined to overshadow and threaten the “master”. […]

While the post-Ethiopian hostility of 1936 may have pushed Rome in the direction of Berlin, it would be Spain which would see the two nations united in common struggle. The growing political discord in the fragile Spanish Republic between leftist (often socialist or anarchist) factions and rightist (right-Catholic, monarchist, nationalist and growingly Authori-Collectivist) factions had erupted into open civil war. […] The civil war, which was beginning to take on an air of “tyranny versus democracy” or “civilization against anarchy” depending on the individual’s point of view, was soon becoming a proxy war in a growing international ideological conflict between Authori-Collectivism and Socialism/Communism. […]

Italian involvement in Spanish Nationalist politics was nothing new. Earlier Mussolini along with Italo Balbo had hosted Spanish Nationalist plotters, promising money and arms in the event of a Nationalist coup. Such clandestine diplomacy never went beyond secret meetings and empty promises, however. […] When Hitler promised direct aid to the Nationalists Mussolini felt obligated to follow suit, perhaps fearing even then that he’d fall into the growing shadow of his “apprentice” if he didn’t one-up his fellow dictator. Mussolini soon supplied weapons, equipment, and even a “volunteer corps” of Italian soldiers, the Corpo Truppe Volontarie, or CTV. […] The Italian Air Force was heavily involved, supplying planes and pilots to great and devastating effect. […] The Italian Navy, ironically a part of the international arms blockade that was choking off the Republican opposition, supplied weapons and equipment. […]


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f0/Savoia-Marchetti_SM.81.jpg
Italian Aircraft in Spain (image too big to post)

The International response to the Italo-German intervention was predictably negative and served to push Italy and Germany closer together. Though the League remained officially neutral in the Spanish war the public outcry was immense. […] Mussolini, perhaps seeing the way the diplomatic tide was shifting, began steps that, had he lived longer, may have resulting in a formal alliance. In the fall of 1936 he and Hitler signed a Treaty of Friendship, the first step towards formal alliance. Mussolini dubbed the event a growing “Rome-Berlin Axis”. […]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Low-correct-attitudes-in-spain.jpg
Political Cartoon from the Italian Intervention (too big to post)

Interestingly, the response within Italy itself, both to the Spanish intervention and the “Axis” with Berlin, was mixed. […] Italo Balbo, then governor of the colony of Libya, opposed and publicly spoke out against the intervention. On the surface this appears not in keeping with his earlier Spanish plots, but politically it’s a major step between clandestine and overt support and one Balbo was unwilling to make. Added into this was his growing dissent with Mussolinian policy, domestic and foreign. A noted Germanophobe, Balbo decried the “Axis” and felt Hitler to be an unstable and dangerous partner. Balbo’s growing political support among the “frondeurs” of the loyal opposition likely played a part in this as well. […]

The Spanish Civil War also attracted the attention of Italian anti-fascists, many of whom had violently opposed Fascism’s rise to power. […] Among the notable Italian Republican volunteers were anti-fascist partisans in exile Carlo Rosselli and Camillo Berneri. These two Redshirt veterans were part of the Paris-based anti-fascist Giustizia e Libertà (Justice and Liberty)…which soon formed an armed volunteer force for intervention in Spain provocatively called the “Matteotti Battalion”. With the slogan "Oggi in Spagna, domani in Italia" (Today in Spain, tomorrow in Italy), this mixed force of anti-fascist volunteers (anarchists, liberals, socialists and communists) fought bravely on the Aragon front…winning a victory over Franco’s forces at the Battle of Monte Pelato, where Republican forces charged and seized a fascist gun emplacement, suffering heavy casualties. […]

http://www.storiaxxisecolo.it/antifascismo/rosselli5.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Camillo_Berneri.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/96/Bandieragl.jpg
Anti-Fascist Partisans: Carlo Rosselli, Camillo Berneri and the patch of Giustizia e Libertà

However, it was after the war that one of the unit’s leaders would make the biggest impact on history. Camillo Berneri, growing increasingly critical of the Stalin-backed Spanish Communist Party, barely escaped with his life from the Barcelona May Day purges of 1937 [1]. Tipped off by a comrade whose name is lost to history, Berneri fled the country, taking up temporary residence in Oporto, Portugal. Rosselli, in Paris recovering from an illness, was assassinated by French Authori-Collectivist partisans. Though no direct evidence implicates Mussolini or Fascist Italy, conspiracy theories abound. It was perhaps this murder that drove Berneri over the edge.

From Warriors, Diplomats, Statesmen, Dictators – the Political and Diplomatic History of Europe in the Twentieth Century, by Dr. Eric Spellman, Harvard University, 1994


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Note a piè di pagina:

1 – POD!! OTL he like Rosselli was captured and executed, ironically by Communist partisans.

[Geekhis Khan]

Nice TL, & Nice Pictures except they are too wide.

?Anyway you can open then in Paint and Scale them down to fit the Page.?

Thanks, and I just turned them into links. If anyone wants to scale and post feel free to, but that's time I'm afraid I don't have. Only insomnia has allowed me to post these last two updates.

BTW all: POD!!! :D

[Archangel]

The ethnic cleansing will draw the enmity of several countries, post-war.
Keep up the good work!:)

[The Professor]

BTW all: POD!!! :D

Not bad after 13 pages ;).

Onward Camillo, onward!

[Geekhis Khan]

Not bad after 13 pages ;).

Onward Camillo, onward!

That's gotta be a record, yea? :D

[Detroitman32]

I would comment on the update, but the sheer awesomenes of the church painting -with what seems a Virgin Mary holding a machine gun on the lower left corner- has left me speechless.
Why, oh why, has Catholic Religious Art abandoned that epic style?

That's not the Virgin Mary- that's the Empress Taitu. Oh! My country! My country! What has become of thou! Oh do go on. :D

[Geekhis Khan]

Sorry for the delays. Now that the holidays are over I can get back to updates.:) Stand by, all and Happy New Year!

[lothaw]

Many updates and quick. Voting for the Turtledoves will start soon and this TL has been nominated.

If maverick hadn't nominated it, I would have. :p

[Geekhis Khan]

Many updates and quick. Voting for the Turtledoves will start soon and this TL has been nominated.

If maverick hadn't nominated it, I would have. :p


Wow...thank you for the nom, Mav., and intended nom., lothaw. I'm humbled and honored.

[Germaniac]

Been following since page one and LOVE the POD I cannot wait to see what happens!

[Jimbrock]

Yeah, I was going to nominate this TL too. I better get in the queue!:p

[xt828]

Sweet. I take it Berneri's the one who'll be behind the removal of The Chin?

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Sweet. I take it Berneri's the one who'll be behind the removal of The Chin?
Brian Mulroney was in Italy at the time?!?:)

[Geekhis Khan]

Brian Mulroney was in Italy at the time?!?:)

Either him or Jay Leno...or Bruce Campbell :D

[xt828]

I won't deny that those three have impressive chins, but Mussolini seemed proud of his to a degree they aren't.

[Brancaleone]

BTW, did Balbo do anything constructive during his exile in Lybia?

[Germaniac]

BTW, did Balbo do anything constructive during his exile in Lybia?
I should say so, He turned Libya into a fairly productive settler colony, built substantial infrastructure, and began the process of creating Italy's first successful colony.

[Geekhis Khan]

That's actually the subject of the upcoming update. The fact it's taking so long to write ought to tell you a little about how much he did there even up to the POD. ;)


By the way, all, the upcoming will be the last pre-POD post! After that one, which will end Chapter 6, all will be ATL, starting with the assassination!

[Geekhis Khan]

Part g; Balbo's Libya:


http://www.libya-watanona.com/letters/v2005b/p28nov5a.jpg
The Last Meeting: Mussolini and Balbo in Libya, 1937


Italo Balbo was hardly the sort to let as small of a setback as mere “exile” hold him back. While the inferred insult of his new position and the symbolic rejection of his “chief” continued to anger and sadden him, Balbo soon set out to make the best of his new governorship. He quickly began to see past the desolate isolation of the land and see the challenges his post offered—meat and bread to a man of Balbo’s mindset—and he immediately dove into his new job. He quickly saw in himself the one who would finally realize Pascoli’s dream of a Fourth Shore. […]

One of the oldest desires among the colony’s many governors was for the unification of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica into a single, cohesive “Libya”. Previous attempts to achieve this goal had fallen flat due to the huge geographical and ancient cultural divisions between the regions. One of the hardest challenges to overcome was the isolation between the two regions’ capitals. No passable roads or telephone/telegraph lines connected Tripoli and Benghazi. Communication between the two required ship or aircraft, the former slow and the latter vulnerable to accident in those early days of flight. As a result the Governor typically resided in Tripoli and was de facto ruler of the more populous Tripolitania while a Vice Governor ruled Cyrenaica. […] Balbo loudly resisted Rome’s choice for Vice Governor of General Guglielmo Nasi…preferring instead his old friend and comrade Dino Alfieri [eventually coming to the compromise that] Nasi would be appointed as “regent” of Cyrenaica. […] Still, Balbo pushed for the unified colony and governorship. In typical Balbian fashion he demonstrated his ability to govern the entire colony by reviewing the troops in Tripoli and Benghazi on the same day, Constitution Day 1934, flying from one capital to the next. […] In the end Balbo got his wish and the colonies of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica were unified by royal decree on December 3rd [1934], Balbo as their sole de facto governor. A later decree in 1939 went further along Balbo’s desires, bringing the four coastal colonial provinces of Tripoli, Misurata, Benghazi, and Derna into metropolitan Italy as full provinces of the Italian nation. […]

With his colony unified under his command, Balbo set out to physically link the two capitals [through the creation of] the Litoranea Libica, often called the Via Balbia, an 1800+ kilometer highway intended to create a land route between the two cities [of Tripoli and Benghazi]. The Balbia was an incredible feat of engineering for the time, particularly when one considers the nation’s lack of motorized vehicles and construction equipment. Hundreds of workers, most of them Libyan, had to be mobilized, fed, supplied with tools and (most importantly) provided water. It was the type of unique organizational challenge that suited Balbo perfectly. […] The Herculean effort proceeded well ahead of schedule…despite labor problems caused by strict native planting schedules and growing labor costs among the native populous. A carefully-orchestrated financial campaign that controlled worker costs and established a subdivision of contracts that led private firms into direct competition led to lower costs. In the end, for less than 100,000 Lire per kilometer, far less than his predecessors’ earlier road projects, Balbo completed the highway. A “miracle” of engineering, according to contemporaries. The final span was completed in 1937 and the center point marked with a triumphant arch celebrating the Fascist regime…just in time for Mussolini’s visit to the colony. […]


http://blogosfere.blogs.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/cammello.jpg
The Litoranea Libica (aka Via Balbia) today


http://www.paolocason.it/Libia/Pagine/wpe11.jpg http://www.lotteriaitalia.net/cartoline/cart/cart-tripoli_lotteria1940.jpg
Litoranea Libica Arco Celebrativo in 1967 & later “Tripoli Lottery” poster featuring the Arch (1940)


Balbo’s other big project became the realization of the Fourth Shore through Italian colonization of Libya. This poet’s dream would be very difficult to make real. Romanticized notions of Libya as the breadbasket it was in Roman times ran headlong into modern climactic realities: Libya of the 20th century was a desert and not the fertile land of long past. […] To achieve the Fourth Shore meant offsetting centuries of Arabicised Muslim Berber culture and counterbalancing the roughly 700,000 Libyan natives with a flood of Italian settlers. Early attempts at colonization had been mostly private ventures and largely unsuccessful. These private firms tended towards latifundia and created massive Libyan-worked plantations rather than the independent farmer-settlers the state envisioned. By Balbo’s ascendency the number of permanent settlers numbered in the tens of hundreds rather than the hundreds of thousands needed. […] To Balbo, these private programs were “a financial burden to the state, unsuitable to the needs of the concessioners and sterile with regards to the regime’s basic goals… There was nothing for me to do except change course decisively.”

To this end Balbo expanded the preexisting government institutions. These included the Ente per la Colonizzazione della Cirenaica (ECC), which Balbo expanded and renamed the Ente per la Colonizzazione della Libia (ECL), and the Istituto Nazionale Fascista per la Previdenza Sociale (INFPS). These organizations, which were similar in nature to Roosevelt’s New Deal organizations in form and function, were to spearhead a combined private-public initiative to build the Fourth Shore from the ground up. […] The Fourth Shore initiative tightened control over the funding of private institutions and organized the various organizations public and private along a fixed but flexible course set by himself. […] The initiative had several facets: the identification and recruitment of potential families for colonization, the preparation of the new colonial farms and infrastructure, and the logistical means to put the colonists into the farms. […] By the end of Balbo’s term as governor the ECL had succeeded in building sprawling collections of small homesteads (identical down to the matchbooks on the hearth) and instituted massive irrigation and ecological reclamation efforts. Trees were planted both for aesthetics and to help control winds and wind erosion. Experimental crop stations were established to find new desert-friendly crops and planting techniques. […] Despite the many gains made, however, corruption remained and even the vaunted ECL fell victim to the allure of latifundia profits, employing cheap native labor to exploit resource-intensive cash crops like grapes, olives, and almonds. Yet the sheer scale of Balbo’s accomplishment in his short four-year run remains astounding. The stage had been set for the eventual mass colonization efforts which he would institute over the course of his Roman tenure, beginning with the famed ventimille of 1938. […]

Hoping to further aid his new fiefdom’s economic viability, Balbo hired geologists, mining experts, and various explorers seeking mineral wealth which might be hidden in the vast and empty land. […] Of these efforts [Ardito] Desio’s venture would find trace amounts of subsurface petroleum in 1938, the tip of a viscous iceberg of deep-well petroleum stores. Eventually these stores would prove the boon perhaps even salvation of the Fascist state, tough true exploitation of this geological treasure would be decades off. His discoveries of artesian wells would prove a boon of a different sort. […]

When not obsessing about the details of the Litoranea Libica or colonization efforts, Balbo delved into other areas of civic development: schools, utilities, architecture, history, transportation, arts, and entertainment. […] He put great efforts into creating schools not just for Italians but for the native Libyans [creating both] Koranic schools and secular education centers under the Islamic Culture Institute…most controversially add schools for girls. […] Electrification and irrigation began their slow and inevitable expansion under Balbo [reaching] a majority within the cities by the end of the 1950s. […]

One of Balbo’s priorities was to improve the aesthetic appearance of the colony [which was] in a poor state of repair from centuries of neglect and “defiled” by ugly utilitarian army architecture. Architects were hired to design and build new, and restore older buildings. […] Balbo spent a great deal of time and money on archeological explorations, particularly on the colony’s many Roman-era ruins. Preferring to keep the discoveries in as “original” of a condition as possible, he resisted any attempts at reconstruction. As a result these ruins remain some of the world’s most pristine and are considered a world treasure by historians and archeologists alike. He also went to great lengths and care to preserve the Turkish Old City and restore the colony’s local landmarks, including churches, synagogues, and mosques (including those punitively destroyed by his predecessor Graziani). His restoration of the Mosque of Tripoli, for example, was specifically performed through the city’s local Muslim elders in accordance with Islamic requirements, winning Balbo appreciation among many of the region’s Muslim population. […] The restoration and beautification work went well, and soon gained international renown for its beauty. English journalist G. L. Steer famously said, “Tripoli was a jewel personally carved by Italo Balbo…. He had built everything in it and built it well.”


[I]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Royal_Palace_of_Tripoli_%281930s%29.jpg
Tripoli under Balbo (note the ancient domed Governor’s Palace in the center)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbzyZ5JLo70&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbzyZ5JLo70&feature=related)
Colorized slide show of Tripoli, 1937

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5AW_DQhVw&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5AW_DQhVw&feature=related)
Black & white slide show of Tripoli, 1937

http://www.paolocason.it/Libia/Pagine/Bengasi.html (http://www.paolocason.it/Libia/Pagine/Bengasi.html)
Website on Benghazi (Italian) with great vintage images

For all the efforts at restoration and history, however, Balbo never forgot his government’s devotion to the New and the New Order. Newer “Fascist” architecture found place alongside older Roman and Arabic structures. The New City engulfed the Old City in a strange duality that emphasized the divide between Italian and Libyan. Also, one could never forget that Fascism ruled the colony. Architecture and landscaping featured neo-Roman aesthetics. Sculpture, mosaic, and even hedge-shaping featured Roman eagles and fasces. The streets were filled with military and MVSN uniforms. Visitors reported, in some cases, a sense of the artificiality and experienced an “unease” at the militarized atmosphere. The situation was undoubtedly surreal: uniformed Fascists and soldiers, upbeat and optimistic Italian colonists of a dozen localities awed by their new “earthly paradise”, and hundreds of overly-obsequious native Libyans of dozens of cultures and subcultures all mixed in a grab-bag of Berber, Arab, ancient Roman, Fascist, futurist, and cosmopolitan. […]

In the area of arts and entertainment Balbo worked diligently to bring in museums and special events. The colony was promoted for tourists and vacationers and soon the colony’s hotels and casinos began their multiplication. […] While Libya had been home to the famous Libyan Grand Prix for several years, the famous auto race expanded in scope, prize, and prestige under Balbo (it would expand further in later years, adding its famous trans-Fezzan off-road endurance event in the 1950s) and winners like 1935’s Rudolf Caracciola became international stars. […] Balbo also added the famous Saharan Air Rallies (resurrected in 1970 after a decades-long hiatus), an event which drew thousands and often swamped the local hotels. In 1934 the influx of visitors to the events was so great that Balbo leased two ocean liners at government expense to house them all! The Libyan coast quickly gained a reputation as a Mediterranean paradise away from the bustle of continental Europe, soon rivaling Cannes and Monaco as a top destination, a position it holds to this day [8]. […]


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3b/Tripoli_Libya_Grand_Prix_Poster.jpg
Poster for the 1933 Libyan Grand Prix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6AA826yfxA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6AA826yfxA)
Video of the Tripoli Grand Prix, 1937-1939


http://forix.autosport.com/8w/mercedes/rc-tri35.jpg
Rudolf Caracciola and his winning Mercedes-Benz W25B 3.7L, 1935 Tripoli Grand Prix

One of Balbo’s most surprising and enduring legacies is his treatment of the native populations. The diverse and well-integrated cultures of the cities and coastal areas represented centuries of ethnic intermingling and included Arab-Berbers and Arabized ethnic Berbers, Sephardic Jews, Turko-Libyan “Cologhlas”, and also Arab-speaking Sub-Saharan (“Negroid”) peoples (the descendents of those brought in from the Sudanese slave trade). The more insular peoples of the Fezzan Sahara included traditional Berber cultures, Tuareg nomads, and Sudanese. In utter contrast to the iron-handed brutality of the Badoglio and Graziani eras Balbo made a conscious effort to extend a hand of friendship to the local Libyan population. He regularly met with secular and Islamic elders seeking their advice on Arab-Berber and Muslim matters. Journalists described his reign as “Wise, humane and—according to Fascist ideals—beneficent”, “liberal”, and even “cordial”. On the other hand, Balbo maintained the Fascist doctrine of “racial prestige” [and] Libyans were expected to remain obsequious and subservient to the Italians. Two Libyans accused of having “touched” an Italian woman were sentenced to eight years in prison for violation of Racial Prestige. As a result of such policies, in concert with memories of the earlier harsh “pacification” campaign, local native Libyans were noted for being “embarrassingly obsequious” and “Browbeaten like nowhere else in North Africa.” Balbo similarly never shied away from overt use of authority when it benefitted the Fascist mission of the Fourth Shore and initiated flagrant land grabs in the Gebel that sent Libyans packing from their ancient familial homesteads towards the hope of work in the cities.

Yet despite the official requirements of the prestige laws and the iron hand of Fascist colonial policy, the average Italian lived in surprising informality with the natives. Society was far more integrated than most colonial domains and lacked the segregationist policies typical of European colonial empires or even the American South. Italian colonists had no problem working alongside their Libyan neighbors. Libyans who could afford to do so rode first class and stayed in the finest hotels alongside Italian luminaries. […]

Balbo’s strange and often contradictory policies are a product of his personality and his beliefs. He was an ardent proponent of the “white man’s burden” and saw Italy’s mission in Libya as “civilizing”. He held the Libyans in high esteem, particularly the civilized “Mediterranean” cultures of the cities and Gebel coast, whom he considered “intelligent and virile”, “sober and enduring”, and “obedient” to secular and religious authorities. The nomadic “Negroid” races of the interior Fezzan, however, still required military “supervision”. His sense of honor demanded that the loyalty and sacrifice of Libyan soldiers in the Ethiopian conquest be rewarded. This became one of the pillars of his later attempts at gaining full citizenship for the Libyan populations. […]

After a few years Balbo had gained a cordial and appreciative reputation among the Libyan populations. If not overtly beloved he was at the least admired and celebrated as a man of honor and courtesy. He fought hard throughout his life to gain respect and the benefits of “civilization” for the Libyans (or at least those cultural groups best attuned to his mission of “Italianization”). Gestures such as saving the Gebel herds from flooding (transporting them to the Cyrenaician highlands in ships) gained him appreciation. He’d worked hard to meet Muslim cultures if not on equal terms then at least on cordial ones. Elders and men of stature were consulted on many legal and any cultural decisions affecting Muslims in the colony. Laws such as the banning of alcohol sales during Ramadan helped gain gratitude and allowed less popular ones such as the bans on fakir practice and child marriage to be overlooked. […]

Interestingly, one of the native groups that suffered at Balbo’s hand was the native Jewish population. In contrast to his excellent relations with Italy’s and later Europe’s Ashkenazi Jews, Balbo often ran into conflict with the native Libyan Jewish minority. Part of it was different demographics: these Mizrahi cultures (descendents of Sephardim) were culturally Libyan, spoke Arabic, and were traditionally poor artisans and petty shop-keeps. They were traditional, insular, and offered none of the obvious economic boons of the western Ashkenazi cultures to the Fascist state. Balbo’s economic and social policies often ran into Jewish law and tradition and he often invoked heavy-handed methods. The flogging of Jewish shop owners who refused to stay open on Fridays earned him the enmity of the Libyan Jews but the amused approval of many Libyan Muslims. […]

By 1937 Balbo had established Libya as his new domain and fiefdom, and there his power and influence were as absolute as in his home town of Ferarra. His accomplishments were myriad, his image growing, and his influence recovering. “Exile” would not mean isolation, and if Balbo could not be at the center of society he would bring the center to him. From the most humble former Arditi comrades to the most glorious nobles and stars to some of the world’s most powerful, the people of Rome and indeed the world would flock to Balbo’s Libyan palace. […] His parties gained a notoriety of their own with some of the biggest names making the journey to Tripoli to bask in his emir-like splendor.

Loved by the Italians, respected and appreciated to some degree by the Libyans, and once more well-considered in many parts of Rome and on the international stage for his accomplishments, Balbo had managed in a few years of exile to recapture his old fame. Yet the original heartbreak of the post never completely left him and occasional bouts of separation and depression set in. As the fame of his parties and extravaganzas grew he found himself occasionally sucked into the Dionysian world of excess and borderline hedonism he’d courted. Parties, binges, and serial philandering would occasionally derail the studious empire-building and soon Balbo found himself going through a cycle of binges of creative energy and binges of a different sort in self-indulgent abandon. Aides and friends noted with concern this pendulum-like swing from the old Apollonian Balbo to the new Dionysian and back. […]


http://postdoc.blog.is/img/tncache/400x400/3d/postdoc/img/d_billeder_mussolini_i_bengasi.jpg
Balbo and Mussolini with lictor escorts, 1937

The crowning moment of Balbo’s Libyan governorship came in 1937 with Mussolini’s ten day visit and inspection of the colony. […] The Duce was greeted by Balbo in kingly fashion amid pomp and parades, lines of troops Italian and Colonial, crowds of cheering Libyans in native garb (many of whom had bought new robes specifically for the Duce’s visit), and grand feasts at the Governor’s Palace. […] Mussolini was reportedly thoroughly impressed while one witness reported Balbo as appearing rather bored with it all. […] Mussolini’s visit took him across the colony from Tripoli to Benghazi, to restored Roman ruins, military bases, cathedrals, and natural wonders…and culminated in the official celebrations opening the Litoranea Libica, unveiling the new arch in a Hollywood-style opening of light and feast. Mussolini praised this “show of Fascist achievement”. […] When one French journalist expressed surprise at the presence of fine foods, ice cream, and fresh vegetables at the remote desert site, likening it to finding roses at the North Pole, Balbo told her “if an Italian has reached the North Pole, you’ll find roses there.”

The following day, in a spectacle for the native Libyans, Mussolini and Balbo left their cars outside of Tripoli and entered the city on horseback led by two Libyans bearing giant papier-mâché fasces like modern day lictors. Mussolini inaugurated the Tripoli trade fair, promising peace and justice to the Libyans and praising Balbo’s “tireless, genial, and tenacious” governorship. Two days later Mussolini was presented a ceremonial “Sword of Islam” (actually Florentine-made) as symbol of his role as the “Protector of Islam” and successor to the caliph. While anti-fascists and Islamic scholars laughed at such an assumptive proclamation, the Libyans themselves appeared to enjoy the pomp and spectacle. Whether they took the proclamation seriously or not is another matter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FyhslMbqiU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FyhslMbqiU) (part I; 10 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFsA1YpzSPE&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFsA1YpzSPE&feature=related) (part II; 10 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmsJEJ59RPc&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmsJEJ59RPc&feature=related) (part III; 10 min)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Sa-mAUbBo&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Sa-mAUbBo&feature=related) (part IV; ~8.5 min)
Four-part Newsreel of Mussolini’s 1937 visit to Libya (~40 minutes total)


When Mussolini and Balbo publically embraced at the close of the Duce’s visit, neither realized it would be the last time they would meet face to face. Tragedy awaited the Duce. […] For Balbo, at the time riding the newly recovered fame and glory, the sudden call to Rome amid the chaos of the incident must have been truly jarring. […]

In total, Balbo’s Libyan legacy remains his third most admired legacy after the leadership of the empire and the formation of the Aeronautica. His accomplishments were unmatched: the Litoranea, the building projects, the détente with the native populations, and the sturdy foundations laid for the eventual realization of the Fourth Shore. The modern wealth and splendor of the Libyan provinces remains a product of his rule. However, so too do the continuing social and ethnic difficulties of the land. Yet like with the Aeronautica it is hard to imagine the shape of modern Libya without the rule of Italo Balbo.

From Roman Eagle, the Biography of Italo Balbo by Giuseppe Bosco, PhD., Professor of History at the University of Illinois, Chicago.


http://www.libya-watanona.com/letters/v2005b/p28nov5d.jpg
The Last March: Balbo and Mussolini with the Fascist Gerarchi, 1937

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Note a piè di pagina:


1 – Tripoli, the larger and more famous city, has become the more bucolic destination with casinos and hotels marketed to families and middle class vacationers on par with Las Vegas. Smaller and quieter Benghazi has instead gained a subdued but luxurious five star reputation ala Monaco and is the summer retreat for the rich, famous, and wealthy of Italy and many other nations. Originally it was Tripoli that held the first class rating. This demographic change occurred in the 60s as the wealthy and influential left increasingly “loud” and “common” Tripoli to what was then mostly a lower middle class residential community in Benghazi.

[Germaniac]

Yet another well written and extremely interesting, with alot of little hints to the future. I cannot wait for the update, I hope it doesn't take too long.

Well after 6 months the real meat of the story will be arriving. That has to be a record amount of time :)

[Jimbrock]

Very good, with a lot of detail on colonization. Might we see statistics later on?

[lothaw]

Awesome update with a lot of forshadowing. Again, an excellent compiation of historical text, very ably highlighted with the pictures. I've learned a lot about Italy and Balbo from this TL.

That said, I can't wait for the POD to come and the heart of the story to begin. :D

[Brancaleone]

Very detailed and articulate . It gets better with each update .

[CCA]

Highly exhaustive and interesting - this is a great timeline :)

[Geekhis Khan]

Thank you all for your good words. I'm glad that this TL has been enjoyed as it's been a lot of work. :)

I again am sorry it took so damned long to get to the ATL. I really expected to get the "overhead" done in a couple of months. Like a fool I thought that I could get out a chapter every couple of weeks while being a new father, working full time with an hour & a half each way commute, being a homeowner, and working on an Aikido blackbelt. Even without the laptop crash I was and am in over my head. But like the fool I am I'm still working this for all I can. I'm a masochist sometimes. :rolleyes:

The good news is that it's all ATL form here. Thank you all for your patience. And let me tell you it's been necessary for me to both set the pace of the story for myself and really let me get into the historical Balbo's head, and hopefully allow all of you to get into his head too. Hopefully since the OTL is done things will go faster now that I can be creative and flowing and not need to fact-check every line I write. The reading is almost done, too, which is a big help.

Next update, which I plan to get out by the end of the weekend, is the BIG ONE: the assassination itself! I hope it lives up to the expectations I seem to have set.

Again, thank you all for the good vibes, support, feedback, patience, and help.

Here's hoping I can keep the ball rolling better in 2010! :cool:

GK...


Individually:

Yet another well written and extremely interesting, with alot of little hints to the future. I cannot wait for the update, I hope it doesn't take too long.

Well after 6 months the real meat of the story will be arriving. That has to be a record amount of time :)

Thanks! The meat's cooking and the timer's about to go off, worry not.

And I'm sure I just blew any time-to-POD record out of the water like a 16" shell hitting a rubber dinghy.

Very good, with a lot of detail on colonization. Might we see statistics later on?

Any specific statistics you want? I can dig up a few. I'll be revisiting Libya and all the colonies periodically as the TL progresses. Libya in particular will be a real change from OTL, for better AND for worse.

Awesome update with a lot of forshadowing. Again, an excellent compiation of historical text, very ably highlighted with the pictures. I've learned a lot about Italy and Balbo from this TL.

That said, I can't wait for the POD to come and the heart of the story to begin. :D

Thank you again! I must say these interwebs are an amazing resource. Where else can you find a pic of a guy in a VW bug in front of the Balbia arch? ;) On the pics you can right-click -> properties to find the host site. Some of them have great other images.

BTW: the POD came in the last update before Libya...the one on the Axis and the Spanish Civil War. The POD will bear fruit in the next post. And the "heart" of the story will start with the stop of another.

Very detailed and articulate . It gets better with each update .

Thanks alot! Appreciate the patronage.

Highly exhaustive and interesting - this is a great timeline :)

Thank you!

[Jimbrock]

Thank you all for your good words. I'm glad that this TL has been enjoyed as it's been a lot of work. :)

I again am sorry it took so damned long to get to the ATL. I really expected to get the "overhead" done in a couple of months. Like a fool I thought that I could get out a chapter every couple of weeks while being a new father, working full time with an hour & a half each way commute, being a homeowner, and working on an Aikido blackbelt. Even without the laptop crash I was and am in over my head. But like the fool I am I'm still working this for all I can. I'm a masochist sometimes. :rolleyes:

The good news is that it's all ATL form here. Thank you all for your patience. And let me tell you it's been necessary for me to both set the pace of the story for myself and really let me get into the historical Balbo's head, and hopefully allow all of you to get into his head too. Hopefully since the OTL is done things will go faster now that I can be creative and flowing and not need to fact-check every line I write. The reading is almost done, too, which is a big help.

Next update, which I plan to get out by the end of the weekend, is the BIG ONE: the assassination itself! I hope it lives up to the expectations I seem to have set.

Again, thank you all for the good vibes, support, feedback, patience, and help.

Here's hoping I can keep the ball rolling better in 2010! :cool:

GK...


Individually:



Thanks! The meat's cooking and the timer's about to go off, worry not.

And I'm sure I just blew any time-to-POD record out of the water like a 16" shell hitting a rubber dinghy.



Any specific statistics you want? I can dig up a few. I'll be revisiting Libya and all the colonies periodically as the TL progresses. Libya in particular will be a real change from OTL, for better AND for worse.



Thank you again! I must say these interwebs are an amazing resource. Where else can you find a pic of a guy in a VW bug in front of the Balbia arch? ;) On the pics you can right-click -> properties to find the host site. Some of them have great other images.

BTW: the POD came in the last update before Libya...the one on the Axis and the Spanish Civil War. The POD will bear fruit in the next post. And the "heart" of the story will start with the stop of another.



Thanks alot! Appreciate the patronage.



Thank you!
Well, percentages of how many italians are in the specific areas of Libya as the TL progresses. But I understand that is a superhuman task, so dont sweat.:p

[Kara Iskandar]

Truly impressive work.
I can't wait for the next part.

[Geekhis Khan]

Chapter 7: The Assassination and its Aftermath

“…the fog to which we had become used from an early stage of our flight becomes denser and denser. The position is getting very serious. At one point there is an absolute “black out.” We can see nothing but the gleam of the instruments on the dashboard. We have run into a raincloud and a torrential downpour drives right into our cabin…Just at this moment the plane heels…It is a terrible moment. The plane bounces up and down with quick jerky movements. It is like an earthquake in the air, so to speak. For one horrible moment we both regret that we are not strapped into our seats. But what is that shadow athwart the artificial horizon? I bring down my right foot as hard as I can. Saved! […] I plead guilty to a fleeting spasm of fright—a momentary dread of the cold sea yawning to swallow the I-Balb with a swirling roar only too well known to me by experience. Just two years ago at Capri the glassy prison of the sea closed over my head.” – Italo Balbo, recounting a storm over the North Atlantic in My Air Armada.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Camillo_Berneri.jpg
Mussolini’s Assassin: Anarchist Partisan and Co-Organizer of Giustizia e Libertà, Camillo Berneri

Part a: la Morte di Mussolini

The killer awoke before dawn and put the uniform on. It was a face he’d taken from a fallen enemy. He walked on, down the street.

The tote bag hung from his shoulder by a thin, worn strap. Within were a simple lunch of salami and dark bread, a tattered journal, a Beretta automatic pistol, and a metal device shaped like a tin can with a handle. This last was a Model 24 Stielhandgranate, a stick-mounted grenade devised by the Imperial German Army during the Great War. There were literally thousands of them for the taking amid the chaos in Spain.

The killer walked along the streets of Rome, unopposed and barely noticed. If anyone paid him heed it was with a smile, informal salute, or nod of respect. It was September, 1937, and a man dressed in the uniform of the Corpo Truppe Volontarie (CTV; Italian volunteer corps in Spain), particularly one sporting a noticeable limp and a combat wound badge, commanded respect and admiration in Fascist Italy. He’d been in Rome for several weeks now, wandering, accepting free coffee from gracious patriotic café owners, watching, listening. Before Rome he’d spent time in Fiume where he’d made contact with a group called TIGR. Before that he’d been in Oporto in Portugal. Before that: the battlefields of Spain. Only he hadn’t fought for Franco. He’s fought with, and indeed helped to organize, the Giustizia e Libertà anti-fascist militia.

His name was Camillo Berneri, and he was there to kill the Dictator of Fascist Italy Benito Mussolini.

The tattered journal in the tote would help investigators reconstruct what happened after the fact. Its pages described ideals of anarchic socialist utopia, an ardent hatred of Fascism, and a burning desire for vengeance against the man who he was sure had ordered the murder of his comrade Carlo Rosselli in Paris. As the dates advanced from a close brush with Stalinist adversaries on May 1st, his path took him down dirty back roads and harrowing highland passes into Portugal and from there to the city of Oporto. It was there that the news of Rosselli reached him. He swore revenge. Changing clothes from civilian workman’s clothes to a CTV uniform looted from a soldier he’d killed, he went forth on his new quest. On July 14th he’d boarded a ship to Fiume, in anonymity thanks to a potent bribe. When the ship arrived a few days later he disembarked, another anonymous ship hand in a busy port city.

Here the journal is vague, speaking only of contacting and finding shelter among “friends of the Revolution”. Days after the assassination, the Croat nationalist organization TIGR would claim to be those “friends”. There has been little reason to doubt their claim. Weeks of shelter likely allowed for the sharing of intelligence and information. Perhaps it was here he learned of Mussolini’s plans that September evening. Perhaps he would learn of them afterwards during his weeks in Rome. What is certain from his journal that the “friends” gave him money and supplies; perhaps set him up with the names of allies or cobelligerents within the Eternal City itself.

The weeks that followed were a series of short day trips by road or rail from hamlet to hamlet, town to town. Entries are again vague: “Aug. 1st, stayed in the barn of a local goatherd’s. After some wine the conversation went to politics: he’s a friend. Fought with the Arditi del Popolo. Generously provided bread for the coming days”. When Berneri arrived in Rome on the 17th of August he wore the CTV uniform in which he would perform the deed. His journal brazenly laughs at the Roman salutes and friendly pats he received from “Fascist fools” in the city. The maps, timetables, and observed police schedules found in his flophouse hotel room attest to the weeks of careful planning. On that December morning, Berneri left but a single line in his journal: “today – live or die. Sic Semper Tyrannis!”


http://www.museociviltaromana.it/var/museicivici/storage/images/musei/museo_della_civilta_romana/museo/storia_del_museo/mostra_augustea_della_romanita/67521-3-ita-IT/mostra_augustea_della_romanita_large.jpg
The refinished Palazzo delle Esposizioni, site of the Mostra Augustea della Romanità and the death of Mussolini

http://www.museociviltaromana.it/museo/storia_del_museo/mostra_augustea_della_romanita (http://www.museociviltaromana.it/museo/storia_del_museo/mostra_augustea_della_romanita)
Link to the Civita Romana Museum website with vintage images of the Mostra Augustea della Romanità

It was to be a celebratory time for Fascist Italy, the grand opening of the Mostra Augustea della Romanità exhibit at the newly modernized Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome. Berneri arrived early. How he slipped past the security detail remains a mystery. Perhaps he jumped the fence or slipped by with a group of other veterans there for the event. Once inside he mingled with the crowd. One CTV veteran reported a conversation with Berneri at this point, speaking about the Spanish war. The veteran brought up his service, mentioning the fight at Monte Pelato. Berneri, morose, replied “yes, such a tragedy it is when the hope for a meaningful victory is dashed.”

When the time came for the dedication, Benito Mussolini to be the key note speaker, Berneri elbowed his way towards the front, taking a position along the simple rope that held the citizens yards back from the VIPs’ red carpet. Quietly, with a calm resolve forged on the battlefield, he waited as minor dignitaries, Fascist functionaries, and petty nobility filed past. He gave the Roman salute along with the rest, playing the part to the end. When the Issota-Fraschini limo bearing the Duce’s standard arrived he made ready, nonchalantly unzipping the tote and reaching for the grenade. A witness who saw him reach into the tote assumed he was reaching for a camera.

The limo doors were opened and out stepped Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano in dress uniform followed by his wife, Mussolini’s daughter Edda, in a formal gown. Then, the Duce himself exited in almost regal attire. Berneri perhaps took a final breath, steeling his battle-hardened reflexes. He removed the pin, waited a couple of seconds, and threw.

Months of war had honed his skill with the German grenades, and his aim was true. So was his timing. The grenade was a few feet away and a yard high when it exploded. Witnesses report a whooshing object flying in an arc, and then a sudden, jarring flash-bang. Panic and shock set in as the smoke cleared. On the ground lay Benito Mussolini, his daughter Edda, and his son-in-law Ciano. Only one would survive to morning.

Amid the shock Berneri made his attempt at escape, perhaps counting on the confusion to cover his retreat. Unfortunately for him he was not the only war veteran at the scene. A middle-aged Florintine man named Folco Marinetta, a Great War veteran missing an eye and an arm, recovered quickly from the shock and yelled out. Berneri drew the Beretta pistol, firing into the crowd. It was in vain. The crow descended upon him. When the police finally forced their way through the crowd there was little left to recover. They stood by while the blood-drunk crowd hung the battered body upside-down from a lamp post.

The body would hang there for days [1] until the stench became unbearable and the police had it removed as a threat to public sanitation.

Opening paragraphs to Time Magazine’s feature story “The Man who Killed Mussolini”, November 1937.


************************************************

Note a piè di pagina:


1 – The reporter is exaggerating to say the least. In truth the authorities quietly removed the body the next night once the riotous crowd died down.

[Greenlanterncorps]

The Duce's dead, and the assassin hung on a lamp post.

What is it with Italians hanging people on lamp posts? ;)



For some reason "Ding Dong the Witch is dead" from The Wizard of Oz is running through my head...

[Jimbrock]

The Duce is dead. Long live the Duce!;)
Dont kill Ciano. I rather like him, and he could be a good ally to Balbo.

[maverick]

Yes! Finally! Long live the New Duce :p

[Jape]

As ever the detail is superb, can't wait to see the political fallout

[lounge60]

They stood by while the blood-drunk crowd hung the battered body upside-down from a lamp post.

The body would hang there for days until the stench became unbearable and the police had it removed as a threat to public sanitation.


This is very improbable.
For sure Carabinieri,or Police would remove the body immediatly,with strenght if necessary.
A thing like this was absolutly not permitted.

[Nivek]

Wow(i need to re read all the TL), the tl was excellent, before the accident(with your laptop) start , i start with the TL and that was maybe one of the best Radiography of Facist Italy who i never read(In fact was balbo who made facist italy not benny the moose), well poor benny but better die like a hero for the facist than like a sidekick of Hitler, well, the POD is extremly unspected(in some way) but better because happen before the Munich crisis(which posture will have Balbo but i see who perfectly the Sudesteland will be Anexed), now, want to see now Balbo remake the new italy and the effect in WW2(Maybe a more to east the Iron courtain like said.... to Warsaw rather than Berlin)

well you will surprise with the TL(Like now), i wish success to you, you make an Excellent TL and deserved any award like a minimun(even be printed,:D)

Att
nivek von Beldo

P.S who will be the political fate of this little girl: Alessandra Mussolini (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandra_Mussolini) now that his grandfather is a martyr rather than a Pariah

[Archangel]

Now that Mussoline is dead, and assuming Ciano is dead or incapacitated, it will be Balbo's time.

[Kara Iskandar]

Now it's time for serious business!

[HJ Tulp]

The Duce is dead. Long live the Duce!;)
Dont kill Ciano. I rather like him, and he could be a good ally to Balbo.

Well the article doesn't specify if the Duce is actually death ;)
He might be in coma or something like that.

[Geekhis Khan]

The Duce's dead, and the assassin hung on a lamp post.

What is it with Italians hanging people on lamp posts? ;)



For some reason "Ding Dong the Witch is dead" from The Wizard of Oz is running through my head...

Well, the great thing about lamp posts is that they're always right there when you need one. ;)

LOL on the Wizard ref.

The Duce is dead. Long live the Duce!;)
Dont kill Ciano. I rather like him, and he could be a good ally to Balbo.

Stay tuned...

Yes! Finally! Long live the New Duce :p

Thanks for the patience. :)

As ever the detail is superb, can't wait to see the political fallout

Thanks, and yes, the fallout will be the major subject of this "chapter".

This is very improbable.
For sure Carabinieri,or Police would remove the body immediatly,with strenght if necessary.
A thing like this was absolutly not permitted.

I wasn't sure of it's probability myself, so thanks for the input. Consider that line the gory exaggerations of a foreign newsman (;)). I'll edit-in a footnote on that.

Wow(i need to re read all the TL), the tl was excellent, before the accident(with your laptop) start , i start with the TL and that was maybe one of the best Radiography of Facist Italy who i never read(In fact was balbo who made facist italy not benny the moose), well poor benny but better die like a hero for the facist than like a sidekick of Hitler, well, the POD is extremly unspected(in some way) but better because happen before the Munich crisis(which posture will have Balbo but i see who perfectly the Sudesteland will be Anexed), now, want to see now Balbo remake the new italy and the effect in WW2(Maybe a more to east the Iron courtain like said.... to Warsaw rather than Berlin)

well you will surprise with the TL(Like now), i wish success to you, you make an Excellent TL and deserved any award like a minimun(even be printed,:D)

Att
nivek von Beldo

P.S who will be the political fate of this little girl: Alessandra Mussolini (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alessandra_Mussolini) now that his grandfather is a martyr rather than a Pariah

Thanks for the good words; always appreciated. :)

Both Anschluss and Munich are coming up. Semi-Spolier alert: Balbo and his allies will oppose both, but Farrinacci and his allies will support both. A lot depends on who's got the word at the moment.

As to Alessandra, the Butterfly Effect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect) means that frankly she isn't born...at least not as exactly the same person. Though ATL the grandchildren of Mussolini have a much better social position than OTL for certain. An *Alessandra Mussolini of ATL might not have to take her top off to get noticed.

Now that Mussoline is dead, and assuming Ciano is dead or incapacitated, it will be Balbo's time.

He's definitely in the Finals, though after four years of "exile" he's been out of the loop enough that his main rivals will be in a strong position. Balbo won't just be hoping in the Duce Seat without a fight.

Well the article doesn't specify if the Duce is actually death ;)
He might be in coma or something like that.Stay tuned! :D

Now it's time for serious business!

:cool: Locked, cocked, ready to rock...

[Geekhis Khan]

New York Times
EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!

Mussolini Assassinated!
Italian Dictator falls victim to Anarchist's Grenade; Ciano in critical condition

Rome - Panic erupted this evening in the Eternal City as Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was attacked and killed by a grenade-wielding assassin.
The Assassin, identified as anarchist and former Spanish Republican volunteer Camillo Berneri, infiltrated the grand opening extravaganza for the
"Millennium of Augustus" exhibit at the Museum of Ancient Rome. Eight other people were injured in the attack, including the dictator's Foreign Minister
and son-in-law Galeazzo Ciano and his daughter Edda Mussolini Ciano, both of whom were rushed to an undisclosed hospital in critical condition.
Other victims included innocent bystanders, victims of shrapnel in the initial blast and gunshot victims during Berneri's attempted escape. The assassin himself
fell victim to mob justice, beaten to death and hanged from a post. The Italian State News Agency released a simple statement reading, "Today is a day of
great tragedy for the Italian people as our beloved Duce was stuck down in cold blood by an assassin. We ask all the world to hold his memory
in their hearts and ask the Italians of the world to stand strong and brave as your Duce would command." No other details were released.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Il Popolo d'Italia

Eroica Morte di Mussolini
Il nostro amato Duce è caduto per mano di un vile assassino - la Nazione intera piange la perdita della sua guida

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

London Times

Mussolini Killed by Assassin!
Former Spanish Republican partisan takes bloody revenge against Italian "Duce"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Le Temps

Mussolini Assassiné à Rome
Panique dans les rues de la Capitale italienne. Le chaos règne dans la Nation.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Völkischer Beobachter

Mussolini von Kommunistischem Meuchelmörder Ermordet!
Unser Führer verurteilt den feigen Angriff; Meuchelmörder vielleicht eine Jude

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corriere Padano

Riposa in Pace, Prode Duce
Il Duce è caduto all'attacco dell'assassino; Italo Balbo è arrivato a Roma da Rinviere


************************************************** *************

To my Italophone, Francophone, and Germanophone readers: please feel free to correct my poor attempts at Italiano, Francaise, and Deutsch. I can offer only what the Babelfish tells me.

[trekchu]

Völkischer Beobachter

Mussolini von kommunistischem Meuchelmörder ermordet!
Unser Führer verurteilt den feigen Angriff; Meuchelmörder vielleicht eine Jude





Fixed and glad to help.

[Geekhis Khan]

Fixed and glad to help.

Viel Dank! :)

[fabrondi]

Here's my attempt at correcting the awful Italian and French provided by babelfish, though I might not be that good at the pompous language typical of the fascist regime ;)


Il Popolo d'Italia

Eroica Morte di Mussolini
Il nostro amato Duce è caduto per mano di un vile assassino - la Nazione intera piange la perdita della sua guida

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Le Temps

Mussolini Assassiné à Rome
Panique dans les rues de la Capitale italienne. Le chaos règne dans la Nation.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corriere Padano

Riposa in Pace, Prode Duce
Il Duce è caduto all'attacco dell'assassino; Italo Balbo è arrivato a Roma da Rinviere




also, several post ago, when you wrote "l'Morte d'Mussolini" if you intended to write it in Italian, then you should correct it to "la Morte di Mussolini"

[Geekhis Khan]

Here's my attempt at correcting the awful Italian and French provided by babelfish, though I might not be that good at the pompous language typical of the fascist regime ;)



also, several post ago, when you wrote "l'Morte d'Mussolini" if you intended to write it in Italian, then you should correct it to "la Morte di Mussolini"

Excellent, Grazie! :)

Will also post-edit the earlier post post haste.

[The Professor]

Excellent, Grazie! :)

Will also lamppost-edit the earlier lamppost lamppost haste.



Fixed indeed ;)

[Geekhis Khan]

Way to Lampshade (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LampshadeHanging) the Lampposts, Prof. :p

Or should it be lamppoon? :D

[lounge60]

Il Corriere della sera
Edizione straordinaria:

IL DUCE ASSASSINATO
Ucciso a Roma da un vile sovversivo.
Le nobili parole di Sua Maestà il Re.
Tutta Italia piange il suo condottiero.
Viva impressione in tutto il mondo.


Il Messaggero
Edizione straordinaria


UCCISO IL NOSTRO DUCE
Il capo amatissimo,caduto per mano di un sovversivo.
L'assassino linciato dalla folla.
Le parole del Re.
La Nazione in lutto.
Vivissima impressione in tutto il mondo.

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5679/duce1937.jpg

[Geekhis Khan]

Il Corriere della sera
Edizione straordinaria:

IL DUCE ASSASSINATO
Ucciso a Roma da un vile sovversivo.
Le nobili parole di Sua Maestà il Re.
Tutta Italia piange il suo condottiero.
Viva impressione in tutto il mondo.


Il Messaggero
Edizione straordinaria


UCCISO IL NOSTRO DUCE
Il capo amatissimo,caduto per mano di un sovversivo.
L'assassino linciato dalla folla.
Le parole del Re.
La Nazione in lutto.
Vivissima impressione in tutto il mondo.

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5679/duce1937.jpg

Bravo! Bravisimo! May I flagrantly steal this all and add it to the above update? :D

[The Professor]

Way to Lampshade (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LampshadeHanging) the Lampposts, Prof. :p

Or should it be lamppoon? :D

Hehehehe :D

[Brancaleone]

A far more dignified death than the OTL for Duce . And you even included the lamppost (same type as the milanese original, no doubt). I appreciate the irony...

[lounge60]

Bravo! Bravisimo! May I flagrantly steal this all and add it to the above update? :D
Sure.

Update from 1937:

Rome,
Carabinieri patrolling the street after the death of Benito Mussolini.
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/3998/6b905fa756e44424large.jpg

Rome,
Mounted Carabinieri in the streets of the Capital,after the death of the Duce.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5072/cc1o.jpg

Rome,
Roman crowd meets in piazza after the news of the murder of Duce.
Tension is very high.
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3263/18315696.jpg

Rome,
People in Rome immediately after the Duce murder.
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3869/fooq.jpg

[lounge60]

For many,many years a classic question for all Italians was: "Where were you when Mussolini was killed"?
Well,about this we have here two historic pictures:

Tripoli, September 15 (?) 1937
12,35 A.M.

Marshal Italo Balbo,is inspetting the airport.
Between few minuts learn news from Rome:
The Duce is dead.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/720/senzanomescandito03.jpg

Marshal Balbo sit on a table after the news.
He is visibly upset.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2402/senzanomescandito04.jpg

[Jimbrock]

Bravo! Any comments from Malta? Remember the large fascist supporting base there, so I think one of the Italo-Maltese newspapers would have a few comments.

[Geekhis Khan]

lounge, great as always! Love the Images. Grazie!

Jim, I'd assume the pro-Fascist, pro-Italian annexation crowds will be shocked and irate. I can't speak to the whole of Malta not really knowing much about your islands myself, but feel free to write your own Maltese newspaper headline/byline based on how you'd expect the Maltese of 1937 to respond.

[Geekhis Khan]

All,

made this major edit/expansion on the latest update to include items, edits, and text provided by you the readers. Grazie!

GK...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------



New York Times
EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!

Mussolini Assassinated!
Italian Dictator falls victim to Anarchist's Grenade; Ciano in critical condition

Rome - Panic erupted this evening in the Eternal City as Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was attacked and killed by a grenade-wielding assassin. The Assassin, identified as anarchist and former Spanish Republican volunteer Camillo Berneri, infiltrated the grand opening extravaganza for the "Millennium of Augustus" exhibit at the Museum of Ancient Rome. Eight other people were injured in the attack, including the dictator's Foreign Minister and son-in-law Galeazzo Ciano and his daughter Edda Mussolini Ciano, both of whom were rushed to an undisclosed hospital in critical condition. Other victims included innocent bystanders, victims of shrapnel in the initial blast and gunshot victims during Berneri's attempted escape. The assassin himself fell victim to mob justice, beaten to death and hanged from a post. The Italian State News Agency released a simple statement reading, "Today is a day of great tragedy for the Italian people as our beloved Duce was stuck down in cold blood by an assassin. We ask all the world to hold his memory in their hearts and ask the Italians of the world to stand strong and brave as your Duce would command." No other details were released.



http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/3998/6b905fa756e44424large.jpg
Carabinieri (police) patrolling the streets of Rome after the death of Benito Mussolini [1]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Il Popolo d'Italia

Eroica Morte di Mussolini
Il nostro amato Duce è caduto per mano di un vile assassino - la Nazione intera piange la perdita della sua guida

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Times

Mussolini Killed by Assassin!
Former Spanish Republican partisan takes bloody revenge against Italian "Duce"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Il Corriere della Sera
Edizione straordinaria:

IL DUCE ASSASSINATO
Ucciso a Roma da un vile sovversivo. Le nobili parole di Sua Maestà il Re. Tutta Italia piange il suo condottiero. Viva impressione in tutto il mondo [1]



http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3263/18315696.jpg
Roman crowd in the piazza after the news of assassination; Tensions are very high [1]

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Le Temps

Mussolini Assassiné à Rome
Panique dans les rues de la Capitale italienne. Le chaos règne dans la Nation.


http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3869/fooq.jpg
Near riot in Rome as news of the assassination spreads [1]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Il Messaggero
Edizione straordinaria

UCCISO IL NOSTRO DUCE
Il capo amatissimo,caduto per mano di un sovversivo. L'assassino linciato dalla folla. Le parole del Re. La Nazione in lutto. Vivissima impressione in tutto il mondo [1]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Völkischer Beobachter

Mussolini von Kommunistischem Meuchelmörder Ermordet!
Unser Führer verurteilt den feigen Angriff; Meuchelmörder vielleicht eine Jude



http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5072/cc1o.jpg
Mounted Carabinieri restore order in Rome following the death of the Duce [1]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ПРАВДА

Фашистская убийца получает революционного правосудия

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corriere Padano

Riposa in Pace, Prode Duce
Il Duce è caduto all'attacco dell'assassino; Italo Balbo è arrivato a Roma da Rinviere


http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5679/duce1937.jpg
Iconic “Martyrdom” poster of Benito Mussolini, first Duce of Italy [1]


************************************************

Note a piè di pagina:

1 – This text and these images provided by lounge60 –Grazie!

[maverick]

Excellent, but who might take the reins of Power in Italy now?*

General Badoglio? an ambitious yet spineless twit?

Count Galeazzo Ciano? who might or might not be in a coma?

The dastardly Dino Grandi? Or the Grand old man of the Party, Emilio De Bono?


How was the chain of command in 1937, Geekhis?


*Given that Balbo is stuck in Libya and someone might be appointed by the Grand Fascist Council, even as a caretaker...

[lounge60]

Most important:

"DUCE" was not an office.
Benito Mussolini was Prime Minister and prime Marshal of Empire (from 1938).
Duce was a honorarium title "ad personam";
"Il Duce" was Mussolini and only Mussolini.
So after Mussolini not would been another "Duce" (also for respect to him).
For Sure Prime minister Balbo would be called with another honorific title ad personam coined for him and only for him.
I think that very probably this title would be "The Marshal" or The Air Marshal".

[maverick]

Well, in many AH works there's successor Fuhrers, so there's a possibility that Geekhis could turn Duce into a title.

Interestingly enough, a system with a Duce being elected as President of Italy for Life by a Grand Fascist Council might technically count as a revival of the Venetian Republic :D

Also, Duce reminds me of Doge...:o

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Also, Duce reminds me of Doge...:o
For good reason! Both come from the Latin 'to lead'.

[lounge60]

Well, in many AH works there's successor Fuhrers, so there's a possibility that Geekhis could turn Duce into a title.
I dont'know about germany,but in Italy "Duce" was a honorific "nickname".

Interestingly enough, a system with a Duce being elected as President of Italy for Life by a Grand Fascist Council might technically count as a revival of the Venetian Republic :D

Also, Duce reminds me of Doge...:o
Dodge was an office,Duce not.
But i understand that Duce-II can work for fiction AH works,the important is know that in a "real" alternate timeline like this the successor of Mussolini not had been called "Duce".
If Grandi or Ciano much probably "Count",if Balbo "Marshal".

[RPW@Cy]

All,

made this major edit/expansion on the latest update to include items, edits, and text provided by you the readers. Grazie!

GK...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------



London Times

Mussolini Killed by Assassin!
Former Spanish Republican partisan takes bloody revenge against Italian "Duce"



Hate to nitpick such an excellent and detailed timeline, but there's no such paper as the "London Times" and "The Times" (no city in the title) would never use an exclamation mark in a headline.

Also what's Pravda saying? My guess is "Фашистская убийца получает революционного правосудия" or somesuch:cool:

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Hate to nitpick such an excellent and detailed timeline, but there's no such paper as the "London Times" and "The Times" (no city in the title) would never use an exclamation mark in a headline.

Also what's Pravda saying? My guess is "Фашистская убийца получает революционного правосудия" or somesuch:cool:
Short yot in the MIDDLE of a word?? Hmmm... Really, OK.
'Fascist Assassin ?executed? by a revolutionary true?something?'. My Russian sucks rocks.

[maverick]

Short yot in the MIDDLE of a word?? Hmmm... Really, OK.
'Fascist Assassin ?executed? by a revolutionary true?something?'. My Russian sucks rocks.

Revolutionary Justice..."Fascist murderer gets revolutionary justice"

http://translate.google.com.ar/translate_t?hl=es&q=ina&sa=N&tab=pT#

[RPW@Cy]

Short yot in the MIDDLE of a word?? Hmmm... Really, OK.
'Fascist Assassin ?executed? by a revolutionary true?something?'. My Russian sucks rocks.

Well, according to the fount of all knowledge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_I) it does happen sometimes...

It's what Google Translate renders "Fascist murderer receives revolutionary justice" into Russian as. Mine's twenty years too rusty to do this sort of thing unaided anymore:(

[Herr Frage]

The long anticipated event has arrived. Il Duce is dead, and now the prices of the party shall fight and deal for the throne. PErhaps Balbo being in Libya will work to hios advantage. While being further from the eternal City he can better choose the time and manner of stepping into the viper pit.

Ciano is out. I think he survives but he will be out of the picture for a time and the situation compunded by his wife's death.

Knowing Balbo he will have a tiumphant entry of some sorts to appear as saving the state from the chaos of the disputed succession. Probalby something to do with the Regia Aeronautica.

I agree on Balbo not being Duce. Aside from respecting Mussolini he could well desire his own unique title rather than being the second Duce.

[Geekhis Khan]

Excellent, but who might take the reins of Power in Italy now?*

General Badoglio? an ambitious yet spineless twit?

Count Galeazzo Ciano? who might or might not be in a coma?

The dastardly Dino Grandi? Or the Grand old man of the Party, Emilio De Bono?


How was the chain of command in 1937, Geekhis?


*Given that Balbo is stuck in Libya and someone might be appointed by the Grand Fascist Council, even as a caretaker...

That, my friend, is the upcoming drama of Chapter 7.

The "Chain of Command" in Fascist Italy was in one aspect rather clear: Mussolini was at the top, and everyone else was scrambling around, kissing up, backstabbing, plotting, and otherwise getting played off of one another by Mussolini so that he stayed on top. With Mussie down it's a multi-way scramble for the Capo de Governa (aka "Duce" - see below) slot. The front runners are Ciano, Balbo, Grandi, Badoglio, and Farrinacci, for the most part, but with a score of others who'll want the slot.

De Bono could get an empty figurehead slot while a Junta runs things, but no one's letting that "old fool" (to quote Balbo) command the nation.

Who, if anyone, gets the top slot at first will be a heated and controversial decision to say the least.

And if you think Balbo's staying in Libya at such a time of national crisis, you don't know Balbo!

Most important:

"DUCE" was not an office.
Benito Mussolini was Prime Minister and prime Marshal of Empire (from 1938).
Duce was a honorarium title "ad personam";
"Il Duce" was Mussolini and only Mussolini.
So after Mussolini not would been another "Duce" (also for respect to him).
For Sure Prime minister Balbo would be called with another honorific title ad personam coined for him and only for him.
I think that very probably this title would be "The Marshal" or The Air Marshal".

Well, in many AH works there's successor Fuhrers, so there's a possibility that Geekhis could turn Duce into a title.

Interestingly enough, a system with a Duce being elected as President of Italy for Life by a Grand Fascist Council might technically count as a revival of the Venetian Republic :D

Also, Duce reminds me of Doge...:o

I dont'know about germany,but in Italy "Duce" was a honorific "nickname".


Dodge was an office,Duce not.
But i understand that Duce-II can work for fiction AH works,the important is know that in a "real" alternate timeline like this the successor of Mussolini not had been called "Duce".
If Grandi or Ciano much probably "Count",if Balbo "Marshal".

On "Duce" (or the Latin "Dux" Mussie seemed to be pushing towards in the late 30s):

I'd actually intended an update in a future chapter on exactly this, but since it keeps coming up let me explain some of my plans. Not exactly a spoiler, but I'll white it anyway for those who want to keep the mystery:

lounge is exactly right in that "Duce" was an honorific rather than a formal title. It was used for Mussie, but also, before him, for D'Annunzio and Garibaldi even Victor Emanuel III (if wiki is to be trusted). The official position was "Capo de Governa" or Chief of the Government and included the former Liberal position of PM plus many to most of the major Ministerial slots.

However, in the minds of the world "Duce" will, like "Fuhrer", be the position's title. Balbo will be addressed in the foreign news by "Duce". Many crowds will spontaneously call him by the title. Balbo will not like to be called "Duce", preferring "Marshall" or "Capo" or simply "Your Excellency", but that will not stop him from being known unofficially and popularly by Duce. After a while he'll grow tired of correcting everyone and just go with it.

Hate to nitpick such an excellent and detailed timeline, but there's no such paper as the "London Times" and "The Times" (no city in the title) would never use an exclamation mark in a headline.

Also what's Pravda saying? My guess is "Фашистская убийца получает революционного правосудия" or somesuch:cool:

By all means please nitpick. All constructive criticism and correction is appreciated. It's how I hone the TL and my craft. :)

I'll make the edit. May I also steal the Pravda headline?

The long anticipated event has arrived. Il Duce is dead, and now the prices of the party shall fight and deal for the throne. PErhaps Balbo being in Libya will work to hios advantage. While being further from the eternal City he can better choose the time and manner of stepping into the viper pit.

Ciano is out. I think he survives but he will be out of the picture for a time and the situation compunded by his wife's death.

Knowing Balbo he will have a tiumphant entry of some sorts to appear as saving the state from the chaos of the disputed succession. Probalby something to do with the Regia Aeronautica.

I agree on Balbo not being Duce. Aside from respecting Mussolini he could well desire his own unique title rather than being the second Duce.

Good analysis, Herr Frange. ;)

[lounge60]

More Balbo pictures:

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/8200/pdvd002t.jpg

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2490/318a576333032fe8large.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/3695/pdvd007a.jpg

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6114/pdvd018o.jpg

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/1774/pdvd001k.jpg

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/1680/pdvd028y.jpg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/2982/pdvd024.jpg

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/2016/pdvd022d.jpg

[Geekhis Khan]

lounge, where do you find these wonderful images? :eek:

Do you scan them yourself?

PS: any thoughts on my reasoning for "Duce" above? Please reply in "white type" on that issue to avoid spoliers.

[lounge60]

Italo Balbo receives the US Distinguished Flying Cross from his good friend the ambassador in Italy of United States Breckinridge Long.

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/5834/pdvd020.jpg

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/2741/pdvd021x.jpg

[lounge60]

lounge, where do you find these wonderful images? :eek:

Do you scan them yourself?
Yes,from old magazines,books...

PS: any thoughts on my reasoning for "Duce" above? Please reply in "white type" on that issue to avoid spoliers.
Italy in 30s was for many ways yet a costitutional monarchy.
Mussolini,called "Il Duce" (the leader) slightly like Stalin was called "little father" (i repeat "Duce" was not an office)was Prime Minister.
For the constitution ("Statuto del Regno")if prime minister died,is the King that can appoint the new prime minister.
I think that if Mussolini was murder,the great council of Fascism would meet for the choose the new Prime Minister and chief of fascism.
But the choice is only of the King,that can refuse.
And in Italy in those times (and with Mussolini dead) the King is the most powerfull.
He is beloved,and is the supreme chief of Armed forces,and have the Carabinieri,and with the Carabinieri is better not joke.
But Marshal Balbo,despite his old repubblican past,was beloved from the Monarchy.
So i think that we have only two candidate for the office,both accettables from the King: Dino Grandi and Italo Balbo.

[Geekhis Khan]

Yes,from old magazines,books...


Italy in 30s was for many ways yet a costitutional monarchy.
Mussolini,called "Il Duce" (the leader) slightly like Stalin was called "little father" (i repeat "Duce" was not an office)was Prime Minister.
For the constitution ("Statuto del Regno")if prime minister died,is the King that can appoint the new prime minister.
I think that if Mussolini was murder,the great council of Fascism would meet for the choose the new Prime Minister and chief of fascism.
But the choice is only of the King,that can refuse.
And in Italy in those times (and with Mussolini dead) the King is the most powerfull.
He is beloved,and is the supreme chief of Armed forces,and have the Carabinieri,and with the Carabinieri is better not joke.
But Marshal Balbo,despite his old repubblican past,was beloved from the Monarchy.
So i think that we have only two candidate for the office,both accettables from the King: Dino Grandi and Italo Balbo.

That's pretty much how I understood it on the King's position. I'm still unsure how much his power might have been checked by the PNF, particularly with Mussie in charge, but since he still commands the loyalty of the Army I think his power's pretty much assured if it comes to him or the Party. I wonder about how VE III's personal hesitations (like the ones during the March on Rome) would play out.

Thanks for the help as always.

[lounge60]

With Mussolini out, the fascism is very weak.
The party can be dissolved easily,nothing illusion on this.
We have many factions and many leaders (but only two,Balbo and Grandi,with good chances).
You timeline is now in a turning point;
Now the King can restore the democracy if he want,but i think that prefer an authoritarian government.
Is a very difficult choise;with Grandi probably we have less fascist ideology,but not a charismatic figure,with Balbo we have charisma,but either the risk to have a too much strong figure.
But the charisma in this situation is a very important factor.
In anyway the old fascism is dead;nothing will like before.

[CCA]

*A Tribute to the Duce*

You let down your people Benito
You were supposed to have been immortal
That's all they wanted
Not much to ask for
But in the end you could not deliver

Sing you fools! But you got it wrong
Enjoy your prayers because you haven't got long
Your Duce is dead, your king is through
He's not coming back to you

Show business kept us all alive
Since 27 October 1927
But the star has gone, the glamour's worn thin
That's a pretty bad state for a state to be in

Instead of government we had a stage
Instead of ideas a prima donna's rage
Instead of help we were given a crowd
He always said much and said it loud

Sing you fools, but you got it wrong
Enjoy your prayers because you haven't got long
Your Duce is dead, your king is through
He's not coming back to you

(From Evita: The Musical)

I think it really, really fits Mussolini and the current state of italy...

[Geekhis Khan]

:D Nice. Thanks, CCA!

[RPW@Cy]

By all means please nitpick. All constructive criticism and correction is appreciated. It's how I hone the TL and my craft. :)

I'll make the edit. May I also steal the Pravda headline?


Dude, of course you can:D

[Geekhis Khan]

Part b: Balbo Reacts

The evening of the assassination [of Benito Mussolini] Balbo was hard at work. He was at the site of a proposed colonists' village supervising construction efforts in preparation for next year's Ventimille mass emigration when an aide approached with the shocking news: Benito Mussolini, his beloved and fickle "Chief", was dead.

Balbo reacted with shock at first. Witnesses report a dazed and distant look came to his eyes and he wandered a short ways off into the desert, staring at the horizon. When the aide approached he said merely "what is to become of us?" Whether he was referring to Italy, Fascism, or his own circle of friends and allies remains a mystery. After a while shock turned to a violent, screaming anger that quickly broke down into sobbing. For Balbo's close compatriots and friends such a breakdown was as shocking as the news that spawned it. They'd seen Balbo angry, ill-humored, even despondent, but never so lost and upset.


http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2402/senzanomescandito04.jpg
A shocked Balbo learns of Mussolini's fate [1]

Balbo immediately wanted to jump on a plane to Rome. Aides managed to dissuade him from such a brash course of action and to instead call the king for instructions. [...] The king spoke at length with Balbo the next morning, telling him of the complex situation. Order in Rome was barely contained at the moment. Tearful and irate citizens were demanding answers. Emboldened anti-fascists were taking to the streets, certain that the long-awaited revolution was at hand. Even some local Ras were taking advantage of the chaos and uncertainty to attempt to reassert their local dominion. The king had declared martial law himself and activated the army to assist the carabineri in maintaining public order.

The king warned Balbo about rumors of plot within the party and that his name, among others, had been circulated as a potential conspirator. Balbo humbly thanked his king and assured him that he'd do his best to serve the nation.

But the grim news continued: Edda Mussolini died that night. Ciano remained in critical condition, fading in and out of a coma [2]. [...] If news of the Duce's death had people on edge, news of sainted Edda's fate sent it over. [...] At 10 am the following day a mob of angry pro-fascists bearing posters of Mussolini, Ciano, and Edda encountered a group of banner carrying anti-fascists. Carabineri officers fought to keep the two separated to no avail, and sixteen deaths and scores of injuries were sustained in the ensuing melee. [...]

In Rome in the halls of the Chamber of Deputies things were getting truly heated. Accusations, finger-pointing, and blatant power grabs set all on edge to the point that sergeants-at-arms had to subdue and separate deputies and party officials on more than one occasion. Factions and divisions long exploited by Mussolini in order to maintain control turned on one another. Fears grew that the party would disintegrate, and with it the nation. [...]

Balbo, meanwhile, could only sit by in his empty mansion in Tripoli, read the news reports, and listen to the radio. Fact and rumor were blurring together and he had no idea whether the situation was under control as the official state media maintained or if the Eternal City were burning in chaos and anarchy. Balbo knew only that he couldn't just sit there "fiddling like Nero". For better or for worse he must go to Rome.

From Roman Eagle, the Biography of Italo Balbo by Giuseppe Bosco, PhD., Professor of History at the University of Illinois, Chicago.


************************************************

Note a piè di pagina:


1 – Image provided by lounge60; thanks again!

2 – And now the gory clinical stuff: Post Mortem investigations and eyewitness reports determined that at the time of the explosion Benito Mussolini was walking out front, arm-in-arm with his daughter Edda while Ciano stood slightly back and to the left, hamming it up to the crowd. Berneri's grenade exploded no more than one and a half meters from Mussolini and roughly a meter off the ground. It was near perfect placement. The autopsy report for Benito Mussolini would count fourteen wounds and lacerations from shrapnel plus massive hemorrhaging from the concussion. One 1.5 cm piece of shrapnel tore into his heart, entering the left ventricle and exiting through the lower aorta. Death was near-instant. Edda was less lucky, suffering eight shrapnel wounds and massive damage to her internal organs. Her body gave out slowly over the course of hours despite the best efforts of Rome's best surgeons. The one silver lining of the horrible incident was that, thanks to the massive amounts of morphine and anesthesia she was given she undoubtedly felt no pain at death. Galeazzo Ciano was partially sheltered from the blast, but still suffered horribly. His right eardrum was permanently ruptured by the concussion leaving him deaf in that ear. His right eye was destroyed by shrapnel and the right side of his face suffered third-degree flash-burns, leaving his once-handsome face permanently scarred. Other shrapnel wounds damaged his right kidney, requiring excision, and shattered his right tibia to the point that amputation was required at the knee to save the body from fatal sepsis. He would remain in intensive care for days, and in recovery for months, and exit a broken man physically and emotionally.

[Greenlanterncorps]

For many,many years a classic question for all Italians was: "Where were you when Mussolini was killed"?
Well,about this we have here two historic pictures:

Tripoli, September 15 (?) 1937
12,35 A.M.

Marshal Italo Balbo,is inspetting the airport.
Between few minuts learn news from Rome:
The Duce is dead.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/720/senzanomescandito03.jpg

Marshal Balbo sit on a table after the news.
He is visibly upset.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2402/senzanomescandito04.jpg

Looking closely at the photos, it is clear that Balbo was distraught. For his first act upon learning that Mussolini was dead was to...


...button his shirt. ;)

[Geekhis Khan]

Looking closely at the photos, it is clear that Balbo was distraught. For his first act upon learning that Mussolini was dead was to...


...button his shirt. ;)

Hey, you work with what you got. :p

[Herr Frage]

"Thus it came to pass that in dark night of mourning the work of the Duice was imperilled. Without his guiding light the Fascist faithdul fell into cionfusion and conflict, while the defeated enemies of the state stirred anew. From across the sea he came in defiance of chaos, the valiant Marshal leading the charge in slavation of the nation."

Sorry for the lousy attempt at drama, just felt like writing some sort of IU fitting ppiece after reading that.

[Geekhis Khan]

"Thus it came to pass that in dark night of mourning the work of the Duice was imperilled. Without his guiding light the Fascist faithdul fell into cionfusion and conflict, while the defeated enemies of the state stirred anew. From across the sea he came in defiance of chaos, the valiant Marshal leading the charge in slavation of the nation."

Sorry for the lousy attempt at drama, just felt like writing some sort of IU fitting ppiece after reading that.

Hey, not bad! I may have to steal that in one form or another. :)

[DuQuense]

From across the sea On Wings of Eagles he came in defiance of chaos.


Course he talked to the King [ ie Commander in Chief] about this -- before leaving his Post.

[lounge60]

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4214/lifei.jpg


http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/8913/timen.jpg

[Jape]

Haha those magazine covers are awesome, very realistic. I particularly like the 'new pilot for Italy'. :D

[Herr Frage]

Hey, not bad! I may have to steal that in one form or another. :)

Thank you. I would be honored, though it would have to be cleaned and polished a great deal to be worthyof use in this TL.

I too am impressed with the use of imagery.

[Geekhis Khan]

Hey! Great stuff, lounge! Photoshop? Or something simpler?

[statichaos]

I missed this TL. It's good to be back.

And for selfish reasons, I'm glad that you didn't write a Cold War era one. :D

[lounge60]

Hey! Great stuff, lounge! Photoshop? Or something simpler?
Photostudio 2000.

[Geekhis Khan]

I missed this TL. It's good to be back.

And for selfish reasons, I'm glad that you didn't write a Cold War era one. :D

Considering how ingenious AWOLAWOT is, I'm truly flattered. :)

And we're all very glad to have you back, too.

Photostudio 2000.

Copy. Good work!

[Brancaleone]

Already voted for this TL , "CKS goes to Germany" being my second favorite

[Geekhis Khan]

Already voted for this TL , "CKS goes to Germany" being my second favorite

Thanks for the support, BL. :) I also love CKSgtG and subscribe to it. Our two TL's have been neck and neck from the begining and I tell you, I have no problem losing the TD to CCA and that excellent TL. Not that I'd complain too loudly to put the TD on my own virtual mantel, mind you. ;)

[Geekhis Khan]

Aides and friends reported that for the week following his talk with the king, Balbo was on edge, pacing the halls of the Governor's Palace or burying himself in paperwork, chain smoking, and over-indulging on drink in the evenings, yet his family and servants reported that his food, often delivered to his desk, went mostly untouched. [...]

When the decision to make the trip to Rome was first made, Balbo's scattered energy took on an almost frightful focus as if the photons of his thoughts and desires were concentrated into a laser of intention. [...] He gathered his commanders, naming Nasi as his acting governor, and laid out his intentions. Despite some half-hearted protests, mostly for the sake of formality as all knew he'd be all but defying the will of the king, the advisers relented and helped him plan the trip. [...]

The following morning they made ready...preflight was underway on the I-MANU, Balbo's personal SM.79, to be joined by four more of the bombers. Arrangements were made behind the scenes to have the five aircraft met and escorted by a flight of CR.42 fighters stationed outside of Rome. Loaded up with supplies, luggage, the badges of his office, and every adviser and compatriot the bombers could carry, the five took off from the Tripoli airbase and flew a close formation north across the Mediterranean.

At 9:15 that morning the planes made a fly-by over the Cruiser Duca d'Aosta south of Sicily and then turned into a wide eastward arc to arrive over Rome. After making contact with air control personnel the flight of CR.42 fighters made visual contact and joined with the bombers. Flying low and slow, Balbo led the flight in a sweeping survey of the city, seeing for himself for the first time the remaining scars and smoldering ashes of the post-assassination riots and partisan clashes. A group of military aircraft over the city was in some ways nothing new as fighter and observation aircraft had sporadically patrolled the city since the assassination. Yet this slow, building-top level miniature air parade was a marked change from the prowling solo and twin patrols. The weary, wary handfuls of people walking the street looked up at the spectacle. Most were still numb with shock, but here and there a wave or even a ragged cheer erupted.

Soon an announcement came on the radio that Marshal Balbo was surveying the city and going to land at the airport (the news of this was passed along to the radio stations by the staff at the Coriere Padano, of course). For a frightening and confusing week now few had seen a high-ranking government official in the flesh. The gerarchi for the most part stay sheltered behind guarded doors at the insistence of the army and their occasional soothing words across the wireless did little to quell the fears and uncertainties. Yet now the famous and flamboyant Balbo was appearing, in the flesh.

A spontaneous migration of people began moving towards the airport to greet him. Their efforts were rewarded as the flight climbed and one by one the bombers broke off and banked in for landing. Press cars, cameramen, and crowds anxious for anything from their nearly absent government flocked to the gates, straining the ability of the carabineri stationed there to contain them. When Balbo appeared at the door, calm, determined, and absorbed in conversation with Quilici, a ragged cheer began and grew into a roar. Balbo casually sent the crowd a Roman salute and continued his conversation.

When a cameraman appeared Balbo was shaken out from his absorption in the conversation and agreed to a few quick words for the newsreels. In these his demeanor is calm, serious, and professional displaying none of the pandering showboating his rivals would accuse. His speech, such as it was, was simply to state his deep sadness over the passing of the "Chief" and his beautiful daughter, citing the latter as proof of the anarchists' wanton cruelty, and he went on to try to reassure the people of Italy that their strength and resolve was Italy's strength and resolve and that the king and the government would quickly return the peace, prosperity, and honor that the Duce's memory demanded.

The crowd erupted in a cheer as days of anger and fear broke through the floodgates of melancholy. In almost symbolic timing the crowd broke through the cordon of carabnineri. Even a couple of cracked skulls [1] did not dent the flood or the enthusiasm. Balbo's guards rushed to pull him to safety, but he brushed them off and stood tall as the crowd swarmed around him, hands reaching. Remaining calm, Balbo shook hands, accepted hugs and kisses from the women (one iconic image shows hims embracing an old woman whose son had died in the riots), and did his best to reassure the people even as the carabineri fought to pull him away from the crowd.

As he was pulled away to a waiting car he saluted the people one last time as shouts of "Viva Italia!", "Viva Balbo", and even (to Balbo's reported consternation) "Duce! Duce!" filled the air. [...]

The Flight to Rome, as it became known, was a watershed moment in Balbo's career. In typically Balbian fashion he'd not only made his appearance in Rome at a time when no other major player had so much as appeared on a high balcony, but he'd met and embraced the people of Rome at their most frightened and desperate moment. Supporters called the event a "stunning display of bravery and leadership", a "grand and glorious return of a favored son". His enemies called it "shameless self-promotion" or "a stunt". Likely there's a little bit of truth in both sides' accounts. Balbo himself never commented on the event.

The only indication we have of his mood at the time is a report from Quillici years afterwards who said that Balbo spoke only of the "business at hand" during the car ride, and yet "couldn't completely hide the impish grin on his face."

From Roman Eagle, the Biography of Italo Balbo by Giuseppe Bosco, PhD., Professor of History at the University of Illinois, Chicago.


************************************************

Note a piè di pagina:


1 – In the end there would be a half-dozen injuries and one hospitalization as the carabineri, still on edge after the street battles with anti-fascist and looting mobs, fought to control the surging crowd.

[Geekhis Khan]

Butterfly Theory for Viva Balbo

All, as I enter past the POD and into the meat of the ATL I should take the time to briefly explain how I will handle "Butterflies".

For one I plan to limit "random butterflies". I'm not, for example, going to make Frank Sinatra a used car salesman in Hoboken just for the sake of feeding the butterflies. Of course by the same measure I'm not going to push an OTL path on him if there's no plausible reason to. If there is some plausible, predictable reason why Sinatra would end up as a used car salesman, frex, then I would openly embrace the butterfly and make him so.

[For the record, I see no reason not to follow roughly OTL for Sinatra as he'd had his big break pre-POD; similarly Sammy Davis, jr., had a pre-POD career with his family (all entertainers). Dino, though, didn't get his start until the late 40s, so it's either buy the mafia connection and assume OTL or roll the dice (see below)]

I'll also stick to the common theory that POD = no OTL births afterwards. Ergo no "me" in this TL (oops).

Where possible I'll set historical figures on a plausible ATL course or, barring any specific reason to want or doubt otherwise, set them on a parallel path as OTL. Frex I'm assuming that Hunter S. Thompson, born pre-POD, is still growing up in the same place under similar circumstances and will therefore have a similar core life experience as OTL. Baring some random butterfly to suggest otherwise, I see no reason why he doesn't follow a similar path as OTL. Maybe he's stationed in Italy after being forced into the USAF and gains a first-hand dislike of Fascism, or something, but otherwise no reason to think he wouldn't still grow up as a rowdy anti-authoritarian bibliophile. Whether that leads to "Raoul Duke" or not remains to be seen.

"Butterfly Dice"

One quick and dirty method I plan to employ on occasion (in a case-by-case fashion) is the use of "Butterfly dice". Rather than even attempt to guess the random changes to a particular person, place, technology, company, battle, etc. caused by wing flaps I'll employ a simple pair of standard (6-sided) dice. The higher the result, the better; the lower, the worse. Seven will be roughly OTL, Snake-eyes (two) will be disastrous, and Box-Cars (twelve) will be spectacular. The paired dice will create a nice bell curve distribution, ensuring that a near-OTL course is most probable. Note that all dice effects will still be tempered and adjusted as befits the overarching probability of the TL and the literary needs of the TL.

Ex; hypothetical Pearl Harbor butterfly dice:

* roll a 2 [1 in 36 chance], disaster for the Japanese (US ready with aircraft and AAA, air arm devastated)

* roll a 5 [1 in 9 chance], goes worse than OTL for the Japanese (US guns/planes barely ready. Air arm loses more aircraft and pilots than OTL, Japanese ship(s) damaged by US submarines after the attack)

* roll a 7 [1 in 6 chance] pretty much OTL

* roll a 9 [1 in 9 chance], goes worse than OTL for the US (flat tops at PH, both sunk but eventually retrievable)

* roll a 12 [1 in 36 chance], overwhelming Japanese victory (both carriers sunk, harbor clogged by a sunk BB, oil stores and dry dock devastated - or alternately US fleet scrambles early and is mostly sunk in deep water)

[maverick]

Uuuuh...Dices, now that's an interesting way to test the Chaos theory:D

Best of luck with that, hopefully the results will be interesting.

[Vince]

Balbo makes his triumphant return. Very nice update.

As for the dice so all we need is seven or eight box cars in a row starting at Pearl Harbor for the Japanese to overrun the US West Coast? ;)

[Brancaleone]

Statistics; used to hate them at the university...

[Jimbrock]

Humm... I guess that system is good for minor things, though I dont know how much it will accurately portray major important events.

[Greenlanterncorps]

Dice...


So, I'm guessing Benito failed his saving throw vs. a +4 Grenade of Anarchism?

:p

On a serious note, a properly constitued chart like you describe can act like a Combat Results Table in a wargame. It introduces randomness to the scenario to allow for unexpected acts that have major consequences.

-The plane crash that cuased the Germans to rewrite their 1940 attack on France.

-The guard discovering the Watergate break-in.

-Oswald changing his shirt before leaving the jail (IIRC, Jack Ruby was late and would have missed Oswald had he left the jail on time).

-The Japanese in 1941 should not have normally done as well as they did, but EVERYTHING fell into place in an incredible run of luck for six months.

Your system would allow for that.

[Geekhis Khan]

LOL...you guys! :p

Seriously, though, don't put too much on the Dice. They're more of a simple way of introducing some randomness...and no, I don't plan on running the entire war with them. In fact, I don't even plan on using them to determine Pearl Harbor [1]...that was just an example. The entire course of events of the TL will first and foremost be based on likely outcomes from a plausible POD guided a bit by the AH framework. The dice will only come in on occasion when I really can't predict what's going to happen.



1 - Assuming there even IS a PH as OTL. I'm still trying to determine how important Taranto was to PH being attempted. Sure, there's the R-J war example, but that was a more traditional assault on an enemy in a nearby port rather than an "everything on a throw of the dice", as it were, attack a quarter of the way across the planet.

[lounge60]

More Balbo pictures.

Hunter.
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/1001/b01h.jpg
http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/1788/b02uy.jpg

Relax in Africa.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/4982/b06s.jpg

Royal Air Force officer.
http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/8243/b03x.jpg
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/157/b09k.jpg
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/6328/b08e.jpg
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1412/pdvd016k.jpg

Politic.
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5007/b07i.jpg

Dress in double breasted, with two friends.
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/52/b05x.jpg

Casual.
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/4371/b10x.jpg

[Germaniac]

He really seems like a thoroughly awesome dude...

[Geekhis Khan]

He really seems like a thoroughly awesome dude...

I know. If it weren't for the whole "flagrantly undermined the democratic process in order to install and back a power-mad demagogue that would lead his nation to ruin" thing he could totally be my hero. ;)

[Germaniac]

He just seems like such a laid back bad ass

[DuQuense]

I would love to have a copy of Balbo's Letter to Churchill, enclosing Mussolini's last Unfinished Penpal Letter. Churchill's reply would be interesting also.
?What was the relationship between Balbo & Churchill, and Balbo's feeling toward the British.?

Looking Forward to the First Meeting between the Roman Eagle & the German Fuehrer.

OTL the '30's where a time of Increasing Italian influence in Egypt. This was ended by WW2, but reluctantly - Egypt not DoWing Italy till 1944.

I see Italy ITTL Continuing to be a major Influence across all NAfrica right up to Now.

[Geekhis Khan]

I would love to have a copy of Balbo's Letter to Churchill, enclosing Mussolini's last Unfinished Penpal Letter. Churchill's reply would be interesting also.

That sounds interesting. I'll think that one over.

?What was the relationship between Balbo & Churchill, and Balbo's feeling toward the British.?

Balbo AFAIK got along well with Churchill. He generally liked Britain, seeing them as a rival, but not a necessary enemy and favored rapproachment with Britain. Whom Balbo likely won't like is Chamberlain.

Looking Forward to the First Meeting between the Roman Eagle & the German Fuehrer.

One of my books has a pic of Balbo at Berchtesgarten next to Hitler. There's a distinctly uncomfortable look on both their faces. ;)

OTL the '30's where a time of Increasing Italian influence in Egypt. This was ended by WW2, but reluctantly - Egypt not DoWing Italy till 1944.

I see Italy ITTL Continuing to be a major Influence across all NAfrica right up to Now.

Good assessments. Also, as the war will for the most part pass N.Af. by, there will be interesting changes from OTL post-war with the war's effects on the region butterflied.

[Geekhis Khan]

And now for something completely different...

Part c: Power Vacuum:

Act II, Scene VII

Set divided 3 to 1, stage left the interior of the Chamber of Deputies at the Palazzo Montecitorio, stage right a compacted representation of the streets of Rome.

Scene opens with lights on the Chamber set, Rome set dark. Several deputies including Grandi (tenor), Farinacci (low, villainous Bass), Starace (timid high tenor), Alfieri (Baritone), Volpi (Bass), and De Bono (low, raspy old man Tenor). Spotlight on a black bordered painting of Mussolini.

Grandi (sotto voce): Ripose in pace, prode Duce.

Choir (the other deputies; all male): Ripose.

Grandi: Ripose in pace, prode Duce.

Choir: Ripose.

A few bars of a funerary Giovinezza play.

Grandi: Who will fill the void you leave?

Choir: Ripose.

Grandi: Who will lead us in the vision you forsaw?

Choir: Ripose.

Farinacci: Yes, who?

Lights dim. Farinacci walks out front.

Farinacci: Anarchists, they prowl the streets. Jackals among men. Jews and communists rampant. Rats among human beings. No more, I say, no more of this! The black flag limp and scared. No more, I say, no more of this! The bold shall take the day!

Starace: Yes! Hear all, the time is now! No more to quake and fear! A new great man need take the place, and Roberto, I call on thee!

Farinacci assumes a Mussolinian stance, shocked gasps among the choir/deputies.

De Bono: What? No! The king, he will not stand for this!

Grandi: The time is not for rashness.

Alfieri: The dangers are to high!

Starace: The party calls for leadership!

Alfieri: Our enemies close ranks!

De Bono: The king desires order.

Volpi: Business can not go on without order!

Farinacci: We first must retake the streets!

Grandi: Perhaps we should go speak to all and let them know that we have everything under control.

Pause.

Choir: Ripose!

Farinacci: Yes! We must put on a united front behind a single man!

Starace: Hear hear!

Farinacci: And everyone in this chambers knows what kind of man I am!

Grandi: Too true.

Farinacci: A hand of steel to crush the will. Bloody revenge against those who would kill this great Fascist nation.

Blast of low horns, lights tinge red.

Farinacci: A northern light has shown the way, the cold Norse heart and broken cross, a master race like us to take this world.

Grandi: Madness!

Farinacci: Necessity! Triumph of will! Hands of steel! Free this place from Jewish anarchy!

Grandi and Alfieri: Madness!

Farinacci: And who else will step forward to lead? DeBono? Old quivering fool. Alfieri? You quake in timid fear. Grandi? The Duce cast you aside for a reason.

Starace: Yes! Who else indeed?

Crescendo of joyous music, up-tempo aria; the lights darken over the Chamber set, alight slowly on the Rome set, warm orange-to-yellow like a sunrise. A crowd/choir dressed as civilians mills about, lost and scared.

Choir (mixed male & female): Who, who will lead us? We wander like the lambs! Who, who will take up the rod and staff? Who, who will lead us? We're frightened and we're lost! We need a man, bold and great, a shepherd to take us in! Our leaders hide behind their walls, we need someone to stand behind!

Superimposition of the sounds of prop engines over the music. The shapes of three Savoia flying boats are moved stage right to left across the lightening sky. The crowd/chorus looks up to the sky with excitement. Balbo in flying leathers bursts out from stage left. The crowd erupts with joy and cheers.

Balbo: Be strong, my friends, be strong and brave, as the Duce would demand! Be strong, be brave, stand tall and proud, you are people of the Roman race! Follow your king! Follow your nation, follow your destiny, follow my lead. In unity there is power, follow as one and there's nothing to fear!

Balbo continues aria while removing flying leathers to reveal Marshal's uniform underneath as he slowly works his way stage-right among the crowd, singing directly to the people of the crowd, one-by-one.

Balbo (continuing): For the Patria is calling and it says 'be bold for me!' For the people Romanita there is naught but gallantry!

Tricolor flags start to appear among the crowd, who gather in step behind Balbo as he marches towards the Chamber side of the stage. Two young girls march ahead with Lictor's rods.

Balbo (continuing): Roman virtue, Roman might! Roman civility! There's room for joy, for love, compassion, there's room for family! There's no reason to be meek or shy or fight among ourselves, for we have a single vision and united we are free!

Choir: Roman virtue, Roman might! Roman civility! There's room for joy, for love, compassion, there's room for family! There's no reason to be meek or shy or fight among ourselves, for we have a single vision and united we are free!

The crowd falls back as the lights fade on the Rome set. Balbo marches on, crossing into the Chamber set as the lights (blue tinged) brighten over the Chamber.

Balbo: Buon giorno, my compatriots! I am back from overseas. We all mourn our martyred Duce, but I truly cannot see...how he'd want us all to quake in fear or hide behind our walls for the people Romanita need the guidance of us all!

Full Chorus (offstage): Roman virtue, Roman might! Roman civility! There's room for joy, for love, compassion, there's room for family! There's no reason to be meek or shy or fight among ourselves, for we have a single vision and united we are free!

The last bars of the aria play out. A return of the grim music of before.

Grandi: Balbo, why? Italo Balbo, what and why? What brings you here? Pointless risk or crazy stunt? Or something more?

Starace: Is it not clear? He comes to take the Duce's seat! He comes to take control!

Alfieri: Usurper?

Starace: Usurper!

Farinacci: Yes...a usurper of the lowest kind! A rat, a fiend, a friend of Jews!

Half of the Deputies (baritone/bass): A dirty democrat!

Farinacci: Power-mad, plotting, conniving, bourgeois Freemason!

Alfieri: Is it true?

Deputies: It's true!

Balbo: Slander! The hypocrisies of a Caesar to be! Farinacci! Thug and bandit, provincial lout!

Farinacci: Now who is the hypocrite?

Grandi: Enough! Balbo's motives are in question, but there's truth in what he says...when he admonishes us to action, for the people cry out to be led!

De Bono: The king wants order! The king wants unity!

Grandi: The rods of the fasces hold no strength when they are divided!

Short, dramatic horn interlude.

Grandi: The king demands order! Mussolini's vision demands completion! The fasces must remain bound, or all will fall.

Dramatic woodwinds.

Farinacci: But every fasces needs more than rods...a fasces needs an axe! Who is to be the axe?

Starace: Why not you?

Farinacci: Why not me?

Balbo: Is it not obvious? It sure is to me!

Other half of Deputies (tenors/baritones): A certainty!

De Bono: The king demands order! Who would support the rule of Farinacci?

Bass Choir: We!

De Bono: Who would support the rule of Balbo?

Baritone Choir: We!

De Bono: And who would support a third candidate? Who would support Grandi?

Tenor Choir: We!

De Bono: It is too close to call. One must be chosen.

Starace: The party will never support the democrat Balbo!

Volpi: Industry will never support the pirate Farinacci!

Alfieri: Then Grandi?

Starace: His will is too weak! We need a bold vision!

De Bono: The king demands order...and order there must be!

Choir: Order!

De Bono: No one leaves this chamber until we have agreement...until we have a leader, for order must be had!

Choir: Order!

De Bono: Balbo, Grandi, Farinacci! Whom shall it be?

Lights fade to black as the deputies all turn upon each other in silent argument.

From the opera L'Aviatore, la Vita di Italo Balbo by Amadeo Buconi [1]


************************************************

Note a piè di pagina:

1 - Fictional ATL composer popular within Fascist Italy in the 50s and 60s with some international sucess. He was a student of composer Franco Alfano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Alfano). Buconi was born in 1927 and "died in the war" OTL , but was "saved by a butterfly" ATL.

[luis3007]

That was hilarious :D
Nice work!

[Geekhis Khan]

That was hilarious :D
Nice work!

Grazie, and welcome to the boards! :)

[CCA]

!!!

Just completely awesome.

[Herr Frage]

Thus Balbo returns like a hero in an impressive but nongaudy fashion. It would seem that fortune favors the bold. Balbo has the "Roman Mob" behind him, though that is notorious for changing. The fact he has sortied while the other leaders have gone to ground will bewwinning him admiration to grudging respect in most circles.

Interesting play, I imagine it is meant to be a translation and thus would be far more eloquent in Italian.

Have you confirmed the monarchy survives Marshal Balbo?

If the play isa ny indication Balbo will have win Grandi over to secure the mantle of authority. Which means for at least the first few years Grandi and his group will have substantial influence.

Top notch as ever.

[Kara Iskandar]

Brilliant and very original! :D

[Geekhis Khan]

!!!

Just completely awesome.

Grazie.

Thus Balbo returns like a hero in an impressive but nongaudy fashion. It would seem that fortune favors the bold. Balbo has the "Roman Mob" behind him, though that is notorious for changing. The fact he has sortied while the other leaders have gone to ground will bewwinning him admiration to grudging respect in most circles.

Interesting play, I imagine it is meant to be a translation and thus would be far more eloquent in Italian.

Of course. Any awkwardness in the lines and meter are a result of the translation difficulties, not due to any deficit of my own talents as an operatic composer...that's my story and I'm sticking to it. ;)

Note to all: there has obviously been more than a little "artistic license" on the composer's behalf. In fact one notable flaw in historical accuracy is there that anyone here could spot if they looked. Can anyone spot it? 50 Balbo Virtual Fun Bucks to the first person to post the answer!

Have you confirmed the monarchy survives Marshal Balbo?

Wait and see. :D

If the play isa ny indication Balbo will have win Grandi over to secure the mantle of authority. Which means for at least the first few years Grandi and his group will have substantial influence.

There are still plenty of factions to deal with. Mussie was an absolute political genius when it came to playing these factions off of one another in order to maintain his personal power base. Right now Balbo has the people on his side for the most part as well as the agrari/industrialists, Farinacci is in alliance with Starace and the party as well as the fanatical right, Grandi has a lot of remaining gravitas and connections and has potential as a compromise candidate, Badoglio rules the army, the navy's still aloof in its own sphere waiting out the political tide, the air force is divided between sub-factions in the various squabbling Mussoliniites installed after Balbo's "promotion", though the pilots and rank and file overwhelmingly favor Balbo. De Bono's whithering white dwarf of a star is still in decline, though he maintains really close ties to the monarchy and has potential as a malleable figurehead candidate. The various provincial Ras are as mercurial as ever.

As the coming parts will reveal there's a long way to go before these factions can be in any way steered into convergent paths.

Top notch as ever.

Grazie. And thank you for your feedback and readership!

Brilliant and very original! :D

Grazie. :)

[Jimbrock]

Great! Might I ask why the King himself is not consulted on the matter, though? He is after all- excuse the pun- the Kingmaker.;)

[Geekhis Khan]

Great! Might I ask why the King himself is not consulted on the matter, though? He is after all- excuse the pun- the Kingmaker.;)

He is and will be.

Please, everyone, don't assume the Opera is a historically accurate representation of events! ;)

I'll post a "historical" account soon.

[Herr Frage]

For the histiorical inaccuracy: there was no such meeting taking place on the Air Marshal's arrival?

I think the odds favor the monarchies survival if it is a more Frano like fall. The Monarchy precdes the Fascists and the monarch would most likely be King Umberto who was quite popular as crown prince. Also since the Fadcist are still a political force in the prsent day it seems more likely that compromise and negotiation ended up occuring with the Fascists conxceding control to moderates in order to keep the Radicals mostly out of the loop.

[Geekhis Khan]

For the histiorical inaccuracy: there was no such meeting taking place on the Air Marshal's arrival?

I meant to suggest that certain liberties were taken by the composer. To answer Jim's question that yes, the king was certainly involved in the selection...critical to it, in fact. The deputies, the party, the military, and the king debated for weeks over the issue of the Capo del Governo succession, and as upcoming posts will attest the issue was never really resolved until years after the fact. The composer condensed the arguments and days of discussions into a single few-minutes' scene.

I think the odds favor the monarchies survival if it is a more Frano like fall. The Monarchy precdes the Fascists and the monarch would most likely be King Umberto who was quite popular as crown prince. Also since the Fadcist are still a political force in the prsent day it seems more likely that compromise and negotiation ended up occuring with the Fascists conxceding control to moderates in order to keep the Radicals mostly out of the loop.

Good analysis! ;)

[Archangel]

And now for something completely different...

Part c: Power Vacuum:
...

From the opera L'Aviatore, la Vita di Italo Balbo by Amadeo Buconi [1]


************************************************

Note a piè di pagina:

1 - Fictional ATL composer popular within Fascist Italy in the 50s and 60s with some international sucess. He was a student of composer Franco Alfano (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Alfano). Buconi was born in 1927 and "died in the war" OTL , but was "saved by a butterfly" ATL.
Very good play, Geekhis!:)
The mention of Balbo as a democrat (or with democratic leanings) will make a difference for Italy in the middle term.

[Geekhis Khan]

Very good play, Geekhis!:)
The mention of Balbo as a democrat (or with democratic leanings) will make a difference for Italy in the middle term.

Thanks!

Mussolini and Ciano regularly "insulted" Balbo behind his back by calling him a "dirty democrat"...a bad word in Fascist circles. Balbo did come from a Liberal Mazzinian Republican background and was a Mason (quit when he joined the Fascists) and "never completely gave up" his "republican leanings". He was also enough of a personal control freak that "totalitarianism suited [his personality] well" (Segre). This split between residual democratic republican leanings and his totalitarian nature will be a continuing plot point as the TL continues.

[lounge60]

?

I think the odds favor the monarchies survival if it is a more Frano like fall. The Monarchy precdes the Fascists and the monarch would most likely be King Umberto who was quite popular as crown prince. Also since the Fadcist are still a political force in the prsent day it seems more likely that compromise and negotiation ended up occuring with the Fascists conxceding control to moderates in order to keep the Radicals mostly out of the loop.
At june 2 1946 referendum Monarchy had nearly half of votes,the Republic win for very little.
And this AFTER the fascism and an catastrophic lost war.
Umberto would be the best King of Savoia house.
He was a real Gentleman,and a good man.
Balbo,after his youth Republicanism was became very close to Savoia house.
So we had a people deeply Monarchic,a excelent future King and a probable new Prime Minister friendly with the Monarchy.
I think that is very probable Italy remains a Monarchy.

[lounge60]

Thanks!

Mussolini and Ciano regularly "insulted" Balbo behind his back by calling him a "dirty democrat"...a bad word in Fascist circles. Balbo did come from a Liberal Mazzinian Republican background and was a Mason (quit when he joined the Fascists) and "never completely gave up" his "republican leanings". He was also enough of a personal control freak that "totalitarianism suited [his personality] well" (Segre). This split between residual democratic republican leanings and his totalitarian nature will be a continuing plot point as the TL continues.
Well,another insult was "Monarchic" ,and is possible to be democrat and monarchic at the same time.
The cases of Republicans that are become close to the Kings are many in modern history of Italy.
For Exemple the poet Giosuè Carducci.
In Italy we said: "Si nasce incendiari e si muore pompieri ("Born incendiary and died Fireman").
Is ever so;many ministers of actual Berlusconi government in youth were communists (and now are the most anti-left).:D

[Geekhis Khan]

Thanks again for the info and images, lounge. :)

[Geekhis Khan]

Like a beheaded snake, the Fascist state writhed and flailed in apparent death throes without its leader. With Mussolini dead and heir-apparent Ciano still fighting for life in a hospital bed, the disparate factions (whose rivalry Mussolini had encouraged as a deterrent to conspiracy against himself) set to attacking one another in gross power-plays and blame shifting.

Compounding matters was the chaos within the chamber itself in the days after the assassination as rumors circled the chambers five times before most facts made a single pass. Reports of anti-fascist rallies and celebrations and street-clashes between pro- and anti-fascist mobs inflated among the deputies into stories of insurrections and revolution. With no public figures to quiet the confused crowds violent rumors began to circulate through the mob as well: the fascists have fled Rome, they've taken the treasury gold with them; the army/church/monarchy/communists have secretly taken over.These rumors, along with the official clamp-down of martial law that kept deputies out of public life, fed back upon themselves until near panic erupted within the halls and even the king considered evacuation to Turin.

The first high-placed official to be seen in public was then Libyan governor Italo Balbo, the adventurous corsair making a dramatic airplane entrance into the panicked city which was a major source of much-needed assurance for many and won the Marshal a good deal of public admiration and applause. The entrance, however, found less warmth in the Chamber of Deputies where from the instant of his grand entrance back into the chambers of the government Balbo faced a backlash of anger, accusation, and fear from his fellow Fascists. Farinacci in particular gave an angry and spiteful oratory that accused Balbo of such crimes as "grandstanding" and "exploiting national tragedy for personal gain". Balbo at first took the assault with stoic patience until the tirade skirted slander with accusations of treason and conspiracy, after which Balbo had to be forcibly restrained by the surrounding deputies from physically attacking Farinacci. [...]

Several weeks after the assassination the fascist government had still yet to agree upon even a structure for the post-Mussolinian government, none the less a head. Small-scale clashes and compromises between waring factions had begun to settle and stabilize by this time, leading to the emergence of several notable super-factions within the squabbling government. These super-factions spilled out between party and non-party institutions and came to represent in miniature the greater conflicts within Italian society itself.

The most ancient of these institutions was the Catholic Church which, free of Mussolini's restraining games, was attempting to reassert its ancient hold on Roman politics and Italian society. [...]

The next most ancient faction was the monarchy itself, mostly represented in absentia by Marshal De Bono, who acted as a de facto go-between for party and king. The king made the conscious decision to stay out of the day-to-day debate and was careful to not show too much support or contempt for any side. [...]

The most physically potent of these factions was the army, led by Marshal Badolgio, which alone held the physical might to force any other faction into submission, yet remained mostly aloof at the king's insistence. [...]

[Then there was] the Fascist Party, led by Starace but serving as a mouthpiece for the pro-German militant radical faction headed by Farinacci. They had built up a following among the more radical and racist provincial Ras and quietly wielded the old radical threat of a "second wave" march on Rome. [...]

[Next was] the Nationalist faction, headed by Federzoni and made up mainly of former Blueshirts and Authoritarians of the Corradini school. A small but potent faction, they tended to slide in their support between the monarchy and the party depending on the issue and became a notorious swing-faction in the continuing power struggles of the Fascist Interregnum. [...]


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/it/d/d2/Luigi_Federzoni-Pd-italy-132.jpg
[I]Fascist Nationalist politician Luigi Federzoni

[Next] the Corporative faction, made up predominantly of the old syndicalists, remained a disorganized but influential group with a lot of influence among the party left, peasantry/labor, and "reformed anti-fascists" (including ex-socialists). [...]

Finally, the most fiscally potent was the Confindustria faction, an alliance of industrial, financial, and land-owning elites with strong influence into the aristocracy, army (via defense contractors), and the bourgeoisie. With finance minister Guiseppe Volpi as the faction's de facto spokesman, the group represented powerful financial interests. [...]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Giuseppe_Volpi_1925.jpg
Finance minister and de facto head of the Confindustria, Guiseppi Volpi

Other smaller factions included the aristocracy, the aloof navy, the air force, the Futurists (who typically aligned themselves with the technocrats of the Capitalist faction), individual Ras, and the many regional, cultural, and parochial interests.

As these factions vied for influence and primacy several names emerged as potential leaders: Grandi, Badoglio, De Bono (mostly investigated as a figurehead), Federzoni, Balbo, Farinacci, and even Volpi. At first most eyes turned to Grandi, whom the king was rumored to favor and who tried to remain "above the fray". He offered a viable compromise candidate, yet faced political opposition due to his seemingly conflicting contacts within the Corporative, Party, and Confindustria blocs and the residual stigma from his humiliating term as Mussolini's constantly overruled foreign minister. Badoglio was dropped from consideration early due to well-founded fears among the more radical elements that he would simply establish military rule. Balbo's shockingly grand entrance and outside popularity at first limited his chance at advancement, but the former quasi-exile quickly reestablished his old ties with the technocrats of the Confindustria and with old comrades within the armed forces, gaining powerful financial backing and inroads into the powerful army. His reemergence as the central figure of the Roman social scene (reassuming the position from Ciano in the latter's absence) won back his inroads into the aristocracy and, soon, the monarchy. Only the reticence of his rival Badoglio, the contemporary rumors say, kept Balbo from an early assumption of high office, though this neglects the sheer scale of the internal opposition within the party to a man with rumored democratic leanings and (conversely) totalitarian managerial style. The third major contender to appear was Farinacci, whose party backing and ties to many within the more overtly imperialist branches of the Nationalists and army gave him a powerful base of support among the militarists and the growing antisemitic movement. [...]


http://biografieonline.it/img/bio/d/Dino_Grandi.jpg http://www.chicagomag.com/images/2008/August%202008/reporter2.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/RobFar.jpg/180px-RobFar.jpg
The Men who would be Capo..."Finalists" for Mussolini's successor (L-R: Grandi, Balbo, Farinacci)

By the time the deputies called recess for Christmas three contenders had risen to the top of the list for Mussolini's vacant Capo de Governa (Chief of the Government) position: Balbo, with the support of the financial interests and the masses, Farinacci, with the support of the PNF and the expansionists, and Grandi, with the support of the center and tacit support of the left as the least of evils. All discussion had had stalled and factions began to entrench in uncompromising support for (or refusal of) one candidate or another such that none of the three front runners could gain the necessary support. As the deputies retired to Christmas Mass many undoubtedly prayed for an end to the impasse before the nation tore itself apart and fell into violent anarchy.

From Black Phoenix: the Rise, Imminent Fall, and Resurrection of the Italian Fascist Party, by Prof. Vivian LaMarche, University of Louisiana, Baton Rouge

[Whanztastic]

It's back! A shorter post but any little bit is good.

[Jimbrock]

Good, but why is Farinacci described as the Right Wing candidate when he is the Fascist one while Balbo is pro-business and Monarchy and he is not described as right wing?:confused:

[HJ Tulp]

Good, but why is Farinacci described as the Right Wing candidate when he is the Fascist one while Balbo is pro-business and Monarchy and he is not described as right wing?:confused:

Because Farinacci is on the Right-Wing of the Fascist party while Balbo isn't I presume.

[CCA]

Another masterful update!

Like my own TL the conclusion is pretty much foregone (It ain't called "Viva Balbo!" because Balbo rots in a pretty cell in the middle of an obscure mediterranean island!) But how you're taking us there is an excellent journey!

Personally - I think Grandi would be the most moderate candidate - most likely to lead Italy back into the path of democracy - but this isn't called Viva Grandi! So I guess I'll have to wait for that TL :p

[Geekhis Khan]

It's back! A shorter post but any little bit is good.

Been back for a bit, actually. Due to time constraints and the near-loss of weeks of work in a computer crash I began posting "chapters" in parts. You might want to look back in the prior pages to catch the whole of the last few updates.

Good, but why is Farinacci described as the Right Wing candidate when he is the Fascist one while Balbo is pro-business and Monarchy and he is not described as right wing?:confused:

Because Farinacci is on the Right-Wing of the Fascist party while Balbo isn't I presume.

I guess a lot depends on how one defines "right wing". ;)

Fascism ended up nearly indistinguishable from any "Right wing" dictatorship in the end, but began as a "radical" movement based in syndicalism. Farinacci represents the more aggressive, expansionist, racist, pro-Nazi factions and is in part supported by the Authoritarian Nationalists. "Far Right" by today's definition, but I guess a monarchist would be more "conservative, right wing" by the standards of then.

I should probably, to clear things up, change that to "militarist" wing. Consider that edited. :p

Another masterful update!

Like my own TL the conclusion is pretty much foregone (It ain't called "Viva Balbo!" because Balbo rots in a pretty cell in the middle of an obscure mediterranean island!) But how you're taking us there is an excellent journey!

Personally - I think Grandi would be the most moderate candidate - most likely to lead Italy back into the path of democracy - but this isn't called Viva Grandi! So I guess I'll have to wait for that TL :p

Thank you. :) I figure the journey is half the fun even when you know the destination. Besides, this faction politics is important background for coming developments.

And yes, Grandi is relatively moderate, though still a rather devout Fascist. Sided more with the Sydicalist side of things and was definitely more pro-detente with the Anglo-French than Mussie...but wholeheartedly worked to make Mussolini's expansionistic goals feasible. He personally and gleefully took on Mussie's order to torpedo disarmament talks. He might have gone more democratic, but then again, maybe not. His politics were rather murky IMO and I always assumed he had a sort of political pragmatism.

ATL the "party left" (syndicalists, ex-socialists) likes him at the moment as the least evil since Balbo is shamelessly courting the "evil capitalist oppressors" and Farinacci just fucking scary.

[Whanztastic]

Been back for a bit, actually. Due to time constraints and the near-loss of weeks of work in a computer crash I began posting "chapters" in parts. You might want to look back in the prior pages to catch the whole of the last few updates.

I'm currently unemployed like more than 10% of my country and with little to do; I check the boards often so I have the perception that if a day or two passes without a post that is a while.

[Geekhis Khan]

I'm currently unemployed like more than 10% of my country and with little to do; I check the boards often so I have the perception that if a day or two passes without a post that is a while.

I'll do my best to appease your busy schedule. :D

Thanks for the readership!

[Herr Frage]

Hmm, if i did not know better I would think a new Triumveraye was in the works for the interegnum. A modern day OCatavian-Antony-Lepidus pact. But these three seem unlikely to consider that route.

[maverick]

I just love how you deal with the internal factions within Fascism. It really shows that you've done your homework, and makes this TL all the more awesome.

How will Balbo top himself next after his grandiose entrance at Rome? flying around the world in a bi-plane? challenging his competitors to a duel with the price being the office of Capo? :p

[Vince]

Hmmm...I wonder if the stalemate for the next Duce will be broken by Balbo getting the King's endorsement?

[Geekhis Khan]

Hmm, if i did not know better I would think a new Triumveraye was in the works for the interegnum. A modern day OCatavian-Antony-Lepidus pact. But these three seem unlikely to consider that route.

Hmmm...I wonder if the stalemate for the next Duce will be broken by Balbo getting the King's endorsement?

One or both of you (or possibly neither of you) are on to it. (Obtuse li'l bastard, ain't I? ;))

I just love how you deal with the internal factions within Fascism. It really shows that you've done your homework, and makes this TL all the more awesome.

How will Balbo top himself next after his grandiose entrance at Rome? flying around the world in a bi-plane? challenging his competitors to a duel with the price being the office of Capo? :p

Thanks again. It ain't an easy task neither. Believe me when I say that determining the power balance of Fascism at any given moment at any given location requires Heisenbergian math. :eek:

As for Balbo's "next adventure", as tempting as it is to have him HALO drop out of a flying boat into Farinacci's evil volcanic lair and kung-fu fight Otto Skorzeny to rescue the king...I'll probably settle for a more political route to the top. :D

[Hashasheen]

Excellent as always. :p Can't wait for Balbo to kill both men and declare himself Chief Awesome.

[Vince]

One or both of you (or possibly neither of you) are on to it. (Obtuse li'l bastard, ain't I? ;))


It's almost like talking with Francis Urquhart. :mad: :p

[The Professor]

Excellent as always. :p Can't wait for Balbo to kill both men and declare himself Chief Awesome.

Why do I have this image of Balbo cutting off Grandi's hand crying "I am your father!" :D

[Jimbrock]

Because Farinacci is on the Right-Wing of the Fascist party while Balbo isn't I presume.
No, he isnt. Are we talking about the same Right Wing? Right AFAIK is Economically Liberal and Socially Conservative, and Fascism is a sort of 'Third Way' between right and left. This firmly puts Balbo as a right winger.

[HJ Tulp]

No, he isnt. Are we talking about the same Right Wing? Right AFAIK is Economically Liberal and Socially Conservative, and Fascism is a sort of 'Third Way' between right and left. This firmly puts Balbo as a right winger.


You are missing the point. Almost every party with more then 1 person in it has several factions and two wings. A Right Wing and a Left Wing. The Democratic Party has a Left Wing which is more to the left then the DNCs Right Wing even though their Right Wing is more to the left then the GOPs Left Wing.

[Herr Frage]

(Obtuse li'l bastard, ain't I? ;))
:D

Not at all, I always envisioned you as somewhat tall.

[Geekhis Khan]

No, he isnt. Are we talking about the same Right Wing? Right AFAIK is Economically Liberal and Socially Conservative, and Fascism is a sort of 'Third Way' between right and left. This firmly puts Balbo as a right winger.

You are missing the point. Almost every party with more then 1 person in it has several factions and two wings. A Right Wing and a Left Wing. The Democratic Party has a Left Wing which is more to the left then the DNCs Right Wing even though their Right Wing is more to the left then the GOPs Left Wing.

Okay, kids, break it up! :)

See my earlier post where I address "right wing". Since I already edited it for clarity issue is moot anyway. :p

Not at all, I always envisioned you as somewhat tall.

:p

[Jimbrock]

You are missing the point. Almost every party with more then 1 person in it has several factions and two wings. A Right Wing and a Left Wing. The Democratic Party has a Left Wing which is more to the left then the DNCs Right Wing even though their Right Wing is more to the left then the GOPs Left Wing.
...so? My point is that Farinacci is by no means right wing. He is more of a Nazi type person, for an example. Might I remind you that Fascisim is not right wing. Nazism was National Socialism, after all. Also, I am unfamiliar with American politics so I dont really understand these examples...:confused:

@Geekhis:
Its not arguing, its friendly cultured debate.;)

[maverick]

...so? My point is that Farinacci is by no means right wing. He is more of a Nazi type person, for an example. Might I remind you that Fascisim is not right wing. Nazism was National Socialism, after all. Also, I am unfamiliar with American politics so I dont really understand these examples...:confused:

@Geekhis:
Its not arguing, its friendly cultured debate.;)

Since when aren't the Fascists and Nazis the Far Right?

That's the way most of us see it: extreme nationalism, even if paired with keynesianism or state socialism is often seen as Far Right.

Right and Left are very malleable and often meaningless terms, especially outside of the French Revolution.

One way of seeing it is that the Right wing are the Conservatives and the Left are the Liberals or reformists, even if Liberalism can also be seen in other contexts as Right or center right, since the terms have evolved greatly throughout political history.

[Geekhis Khan]

Sings: "You say to-may-to, I saw to-mah-to..." :D

[Jimbrock]

Since when aren't the Fascists and Nazis the Far Right?

That's the way most of us see it: extreme nationalism, even if paired with keynesianism or state socialism is often seen as Far Right.

Right and Left are very malleable and often meaningless terms, especially outside of the French Revolution.

One way of seeing it is that the Right wing are the Conservatives and the Left are the Liberals or reformists, even if Liberalism can also be seen in other contexts as Right or center right, since the terms have evolved greatly throughout political history.

Well, IMO the Nazis are not far right at all, seeing as right wing per se, is supposed to mean Liberal, but I agree that the terms of Right and Left have been pretty twisted and are meaningless by now. I guess its all in the eye of the beholder, so I would restrain in using such terms in the TL.

[Greenlanterncorps]

Eagerly awaiting the next update...

[Geekhis Khan]

If not today, tomorrow. Been stuck at home shovelling ourselves out and taking care of the family, so time to write has been limited. :(

[Greenlanterncorps]

If not today, tomorrow. Been stuck at home shovelling ourselves out and taking care of the family, so time to write has been limited. :(

Similar to what I have been doing. But I forgot you are somewhere in the Washington, DC area, which means you have a lot more snow than we do, and a lot less snow plows...

[Geekhis Khan]

Similar to what I have been doing. But I forgot you are somewhere in the Washington, DC area, which means you have a lot more snow than we do, and a lot less snow plows...

...and almost no one who actually knows how to use them. :mad:

Plow a single car width and add enough salt to allow partial melt and refreeze until road has a Zamboni-like finish. Follow on with one more pass every 12 hours, widening strip another foot and incrementally piling impenitrable 2-foot walls of ice-chunk refreeze in front of driveways twice a day for a week. GK's chiropractor starts a college fund for his kids.

Now add in idiots in SUVs who don't understand that 4WD on ice = 4 wheels spinning and so theyr still drive 10-20 MPH over the speed limit...Hilarity Ensues.

[Geekhis Khan]

Part d, Anschluss:


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1985-083-10%2C_Anschluss_%C3%96sterreich%2C_Wien.jpg
Cheering crowds greet the German army as it parades through the streets of Vienna

The chaos in Italy sent shockwaves through European politics. World leaders, unsure of what the growing regional power would do or which of the bickering factions would take charge, argued and at times prepared for the worst. Britain mobilized and reinforced the Mediterranean fleet as a “safeguard” and considered shifting forces from India to reinforce its African position. France was in a near panic with the possibility for closer Italo-German ties should Farinacci ascend or the possibility for the chaos across their Alpine border to spill over into French soil. Yugoslavia, emboldened by the possibility of civil strife or government collapse in Italy, began making plans for a possible invasion of Istria.

However, the nation that took the most advantage of the chaos was Italy’s erstwhile “Axis” partner Germany. With his political position in Germany pretty much wrapped up Hitler saw an immediate opportunity for the annexation of Austria. With Italy, the only military power that bordered the state, distracted, Hitler stepped up diplomatic pressure on the Shuschnigg government. In late December he invited the Austrian chancellor, successor of the Nazi-assassinated Dolfuβ, to a summit at Berchtesgaden to discuss “affairs of the two nations.” The event was, despite its cordial trappings, in reality an opportunity for Hitler to pressure Shuschnigg. It what became known as the Christmas Ultimatum (though it was in fact delivered on the 18th), Hitler threatened military action against Austria unless Shuschnigg lifted the ban on political parties outside of his own authoricollectivist Vaterländische Front and appointed Austrian Nazis to positions of power within the government. This latter led to the ascension of lawyer Arthur Seyss-Inquart to the position of Interior Minister and Nazi politician Edmund Glaise-Horstenau as a Minister without Portfolio.

As 1938 dawned the Shuschnigg government found itself progressively more and more under the command of Hitler as the new Nazi ministers progressively usurped local authority. In a bold last-ditch effort to save his nation from German takeover Shuschnigg announced a nationwide plebiscite on unification with Germany set for February 16th, counting on a popular defeat of the measure (in part through setting the minimum voting age at 24 to exclude the predominantly pro-Nazi youth vote) in order to garner outside support against Hitler. Hitler, enraged at the attempted plebiscite, used manufactured reports of massive civil unrest in Austria and invented calls for German assistance as reason for another ultimatum (sometimes called the Valentine’s Day Ultimatum): hand over power to the Austrian Nazi party or face armed invasion. German tanks were already making their way towards the passes when Shuschnigg relented and stepped down. Despite measures by remaining anti-Nazi politicians to prevent the takeover, the Austrian National Socialist party took control of the country on February 15th and officially opened the borders to the German army. Anschluss was officially declared on the 19th of February [1] after a flagrantly rigged plebiscite recorded 99.74% approval, a move which spelled the end of an independent Austria and exile or death for the nation’s Jews.

The world greeted the event with shock and disapproval, but little more than empty rhetoric. Nazi Germany had made its first conquest, one of many to follow. As Hitler himself crossed the border at his birthplace of Braunau an Inn he must surely have smiled inwardly at this bloodless coup, and his first conquest.

A Brief History of the Twentieth Century, by Dr. Ezra R. Manheim, University of Stuttgart


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Note a piè di pagina:


1 – This is roughly a month ahead of OTL. Hitler has taken advantage of the civic strife in Italy to complete the Anschluss, a move Mussolini permitted OTL but most Italians bitterly opposed—and the one sure-fire hot button issue between Germany and Italy. ATL there will be much debate of what Mussolini would have done had he been alive. Some think he would have opposed the move, possibly with arms—a popular AH novella from the 80s (The Austrian Gambit) assumed such and had Italy boldly marching in to stop Hitler and saving the world from WW2. Others think that the move might have killed the Axis in its infancy and paved the way for a short European war, Hitler isolated in Europe. Finally, recently uncovered documents have suggested that Mussolini was considering allowing the Anschluss as part of his growing hope for an Italo-German alliance against France and Britain. Many Italians have bitterly denounced this “slanderous lie” against their martyred Duce.

[Herr Frage]

*kakahahaha*!

Beautiful, while the Deputies struggle the world moves. And as the world moves the nature of the succession struggle changes.

I do believe Hitler's actions have cost Farinacci the Capo's chair. This act of blatant expansionism in a "key area" of Italian interests can only be construed as a slight to Italian national honor. In fact this unilateral action could be seen as a paralleling the Allied alteration of the peace deal Italy entered the war for.

Governor Balbo is not the type to let a wave of public opinion pass when it could carry him to power. After all his record regarding Germany will seem vindicated in this environment while Farinacci's endorsement is a bomb with the Air Marshall and Grandi just waiting to light the fuse.

BOOM

[Brancaleone]

Indeed, nothing better to fuel the (traditional and ever-present) germanophobia in Italy than sharing borders mit dem (dritten)Reich

[Vince]

I look forward to Balbo hurling the Italian Elite Alpine divisions at German-held Austria. :cool:

[Geekhis Khan]

Thanks again for all the support, folks.

And big news: by the end of the day you will all see the rise of the next Capo de Governa ("Duce", effectively, though not in name).

[Germaniac]

Its what Ive been waiting for for months

[Japhy]

I'm very interested to see whats coming next, the Austrian Situation should make the term of the new Capo exciting from the start.

[Geekhis Khan]

Part e, a New Fascist Chief!

The German annexation of Austria set off a firestorm in the volatile [C]hamber [of Deputies]. Italy's erstwhile "Axis" partner and ideological cousin had, in a diplomatic sweep that might have been called a "Blitzkrieg" a few years later, seized their Germanophone neighbors and now shared a long border with Italy. For many it was a stab in the back. For others, like Capo contender Italo Balbo, it was proof of the continuing bloodthirstiness of the German race. Rival Farinacci, whose entire foreign policy platform was based on a strengthening of the Axis, attempted to both distance himself from the issue and at the same time downplay it (or justify it, as Balbo would accuse). This set off yet another round of bickering, this time dividing the chamber among those who would seek accord with Germany and those who would take a stand against it.

The anti-accord front, often denounced by its foes as a "pro war" front, was led, of course, by the tempestuous Balbo, who denounced the "invasion" and demanded that the Army be made ready "as a contingency". His plan also included repositioning the bomber force to the northern airfields “to take things to Germany itself, if we must!” Marshal Badoglio flatly refused to mobilize the army, coming up with many excuses for why he could and/or would not. In the pro-accord front Farinacci and Grandi found themselves strained co-belligerents. For Grandi it was a simple case of self-defense: Italy in its divided state could not afford a one-on-one war with Germany (by this point it was obvious France and Britain would do little but voice their concern). For Farinacci, though he would vehemently deny it at the time, the Anschluss was a positive event and another step towards iron dreams of Axis domination of Europe. […]

Balbo and Farinacci once again nearly came to blows – and a formal duel narrowly avoided – when Balbo, responding to Farinacci's apologetic defense of the questionable results of the Nazi plebiscite, said flatly "would the deputies of this chamber be so blind as to not see where Signore Farinacci's German bootlicking would lead this great Fascist nation? Signore Farinazi would make lackeys of us all!" Balbo later denied any entendre with his rival’s name, but the impolitic outburst would forever cement the ill-will between the two. […]

The king was placed in a very difficult position by this all to say the least. Popular response to Anschluss was poor and Farinacci’s veiled defense of it (and known pro-German sentiments) had cost him much of the support he had built up with the Rases and the radicals. However, the party, still under the nominal control of Starace [1], continued to back Farinacci, keeping the king from merely having him dismissed. Farinacci also maintained enough support from the fringe to retain the threat of a Second Wave revolution which might rip the nation apart. Balbo, though gaining ground politically and personally affable to the king, remained a fiery upstart and contentious figure unpopular with the party elites and frightening to political rivals. Grandi seemed the obvious compromise candidate, though his wishy-washy stances on so many of the most contentious issues since Mussolini’s death made many question whether he was capable of uniting, none the less leading, the nation. Badoglio once again placed his own name in the short list, but again the king refused, perhaps secretly fearing putting too much power into army hands.

After many stressful days of consideration the king came up with the compromise himself, or at least so popular history maintains. In a rare speech before the chamber, the king himself made his “desire for an orderly construction of a government” made clear. The deliberations and compromises that followed were practically choreographed, for the nature of the final outcome had been dictated beforehand. The chamber agreed that it was in the best interest of the nation to return Grandi to his old role as Foreign Minister. Italo Balbo was promoted to the role of Interior Minister, the position now increased in power to effectively become the de facto executive of domestic and economic affairs. Farinacci was promoted to the post of President of the Fascist Grand Council, effectively taking nominal political control of the party through Starace, the Fascist Corporations through Minister of Corporations Ferruccio Lantini, and nominal executive control of the MVSN. The position of Capo de Governa, Mussolini’s old rank, was to be filled by Marshal Emilio De Bono in what was obvious to all but him a powerless figurehead position [2]. Badoglio, meanwhile, remained in the position of Capo di Stato Maggiore Generale.

The powers and responsibilities were shifted, raised, or lowered in a fevered attempt to balance the three in what inevitably became known as the Triumvirate. In this structure the three positions worked independently within their individual spheres and then worked out conflicts within the Grand Council and then the Chamber of Deputies. A complex and labyrinthine network of check and balances was established giving each of the three some avenue to veto the others’ decisions or giving the deputies and Senate some measure of veto over the “Triumvirs”.

The Triumvirate’s first act was to express “concern” at the German union with Austria.

From Black Phoenix: the Rise, Imminent Fall, and Resurrection of the Italian Fascist Party, by Prof. Vivian LaMarche, University of Louisiana, Baton Rouge


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/De_Bono1.jpg
Mussolini’s Successor as Capo de Governa, Marshal of Italy Emilio De Bono

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Note a piè di pagina:


1 – Starace (ATL as well as OTL) was a born follower and all his life latched on to the coattails of others in his rise to power. OTL he doggedly stuck to Mussolini to an almost pitiable level even after being fired from party chair and was captured and imprisoned by the RSI when he attempted to rejoin his Duce, (he eventually was killed by anti-fascist partisans). With the death of Mussolini Starace was cast adrift. Farinacci offered a substitute “Duce” for him to latch onto. As a result he will blindly follow Farinacci to hell and back.

2 – At last, the second “Duce” of Italy is revealed: Emilio De Bono! :D

[Shadow Knight]

2 – At last, the second “Duce” of Italy is revealed: Emilio De Bono! :D

I'm I the only one who think he looks like Colonel Sanders a bit?

Excellent update GK. Can't wait for the real internal bickering to begin.

[CCA]

Excellent update as usual (kinda goes without saying now at this point)

It's called a "Triumverate" but I see more than 3 players!

Anyway advanced congratulations on your coming Turtledovian triumph!

[Geekhis Khan]

I'm I the only one who think he looks like Colonel Sanders a bit?

Excellent update GK. Can't wait for the real internal bickering to begin.

LOL, since you mention it. :D Bit too skinny, but otherwise...

And thanks. The fun has just begun in the wild wacky world of Fascism.

Excellent update as usual (kinda goes without saying now at this point)

It's called a "Triumverate" but I see more than 3 players!



Thanks!

Three "big" players filling the de facto role of national leader. De Bono's a figurehead, Badoglio and the king are officially "uninvolved".

[maverick]

Viva L'Italia!

Viva Colonel Sand...err...Viva De Bono!

:p

Excellent update. Just as we were expecting and you said would happen.

[Herr Frage]

Triumvirate! I actually guessed correctly!

So does this mean De Bono will be recorded as the second Duce? Or only as the Capo place holder until Balbo emerges from this era as the new autocrat? Three rulers to me does grant a certain greater legitmacy, otherwise it just looks like a founder and an ender.

I have to say judging by personalities time favors Balbo. In a short rtime he has been avble to rebound from his exile and become one of the three powers in Rome vying for dominance. He already has under the table royal support.

Also he could spin his prowar angle over Austria into a drive to improve Italy's military, makinmg handy inroads into that pivotal institutions favor.

Farinacci is the key, without him Grandi become magangeable with Balbo gaining the needed support. Grandi appeals as a middle road of sorts and if one side falls he loses that appeal.

Hmm, time is against Farinacci I believe. Balbo was exiled by Mussolini because of his charisma and ability, those traits have only been refined by his exile and successes therein. I think that when Balbo takes the "throne" the Fascist faithful will be calling him to the capo's chair.

[Jimbrock]

Not what I expected, I thought the King would declare a dictatorship. Oh well!:p

[Geekhis Khan]

Viva L'Italia!

Viva Colonel Sand...err...Viva De Bono!

:p

Excellent update. Just as we were expecting and you said would happen.

Wait 'till you guys see De Bono's Original Recipie for leadership, with 11 verbs and vices.

Triumvirate! I actually guessed correctly!

So does this mean De Bono will be recorded as the second Duce? Or only as the Capo place holder until Balbo emerges from this era as the new autocrat? Three rulers to me does grant a certain greater legitmacy, otherwise it just looks like a founder and an ender.

I have to say judging by personalities time favors Balbo. In a short rtime he has been avble to rebound from his exile and become one of the three powers in Rome vying for dominance. He already has under the table royal support.

Also he could spin his prowar angle over Austria into a drive to improve Italy's military, makinmg handy inroads into that pivotal institutions favor.

Farinacci is the key, without him Grandi become magangeable with Balbo gaining the needed support. Grandi appeals as a middle road of sorts and if one side falls he loses that appeal.

Hmm, time is against Farinacci I believe. Balbo was exiled by Mussolini because of his charisma and ability, those traits have only been refined by his exile and successes therein. I think that when Balbo takes the "throne" the Fascist faithful will be calling him to the capo's chair.

Yep, you had it! Great job, 30 Balbo Fun Bucks to spend on a variety of cheap plastic prizes. :D

Mussolini is and will officially be the only Fascist "Duce" as a term or respect, though the term will see some popular use and will remain the standard term the forgeign press will use for De Bono and anyone else that takes the seat, as it were.

As to the rest of your analysis, well reasoned and thought-out. I'm glad I've made things crear enough for people to work some of these trends out. :)

Not what I expected, I thought the King would declare a dictatorship. Oh well!:p

NO ONE expects the De Bonian rank assention! :D

[Geekhis Khan]

Anyway advanced congratulations on your coming Turtledovian triumph!

Hey, it ain't over yet! There's a run-off posted on the Post-1900 boards and as of this posting you're up 15-10! ;)

[Geekhis Khan]

FYI: The complete chapters 1-6 can be seen more-or-less uninterupted by comments at the CF.net site:

http://counter-factual.net/upload/showthread.php?p=86752#post86752

[The Professor]

Great update GK :cool:

[lounge60]

Very interesting quote from Italo Balbo conversation with Prince Umberto di Savoia and Princess Maria Josè.

In late 1935 during a travel in Libya Balbo said to Prince and Princess:

"The donut (fascism) is not turn out well"
and
"A country where is not possible freely express opinions have not a future".

«In Libia, Balbo ci parlò in modo molto scettico riguardo al regime e a Benito Mussolini. Disse che la ciambella del fascismo non era riuscita secondo le iniziative e che un paese dove non si può manifestare liberamente la propria opinione non ha futuro ( Luciano Regolo, Il re Signore, Simonelli Editore, p. 166)

Is surprising that these phrases were Said in 1935,before the alliance with Hitler and the laws aganist the Jews.

"A country where is not possible freely express opinions have not a future"

is very indicative about the real Balbo thoughts.
The man had understood,
Was become in the Mussolini words: "that democratic pig".

[Geekhis Khan]

Once again, thanks, lounge! Wow...really telling quote there.

[Geekhis Khan]

Chapter 8: Triumvirate

“We accelerate…and climb. The fog gradually becomes thinner and thinner the higher we go, and now there is a fitful ray of sunshine. Presently it gets brighter and brighter. We see our own shadows beginning to take shape. The air is clearer. And here, at last, the sun shines down on us in all its glory. Beneath us is an impenetrable sea of fog, above us is a bright blue sky, rivaling that of Italy.” – Italo Balbo, recounting emerging from the fogs that plagued them over the North Atlantic in My Air Armada.


http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/157/b09k.jpg
Interior Minister Balbo, one of the “Triumvirs” of Post-Mussolinian Italy
(image courtesy of lounge60)


{The March of Time title sequence plays; music overplay: fanfare turns to instrumental of Giovinezza; subtitle screen reads “A New Duce in Italy”}

VO: Dateline! April 3rd, 1938! New Italian “Duce” [sic] Emilio De Bono is sworn in as Italy’s newest dictator!

{Montage Scene shows pomp and circumstance; parade through the streets of Rome, cheering, saluting crowds, a “crowning” ceremony where the king hands De Bono the staff and sword of office.}

VO: Finally after several months of chaos following Mussolini’s assassination, Italy has a leader. Civil unrest and fears of civil war have abated as Marshal De Bono, one of the original Blackshirt leaders and a personal friend of King Victor Emmanuel, brings his years of experience to the Italian Fascist regime.

{Scene jump to De Bono greeting dignitaries; in one scene he shakes hands with US ambassador to Italy William Philips [1]}

VO: The gala event was attended by diplomats and ambassadors from around the world, including Ambassador Philips of the United States.

{Cut to speech by Philips}

Philips: Today marks an historic day for Italy and the world. The President is certain that the great Italian nation will prosper under Marshal De Bono’s leadership.

{Cut to De Bono riding through the streets in an open carriage; a close inspection will reveal the cordons to hold back the crowds are a long way back and the guards extra alert}

VO: As De Bono’s carriage leaves the Victor Emmanuel palace and parades up to the Chamber of Deputies the world breaths a collective sigh of relief that the danger is over and all the world looks forward to a peaceful century to come.

{Giovinezza ends…fade into next scene (cut from this presentation)}

“A New Duce in Italy,” from a 1938 Newsreel in The March of Time series


We all knew the De Bono thing was malarkey. That geriatric old man probably didn’t know what was going on when the king handed him the scepter, and when the announcement was made on Italian State Radio we immediately suspected that something more was still going on behind the scenes. After the assassination we’d been pretty much holed up behind the doors of the embassy and the wheelings and dealings going on in the chamber [of deputies] were closely-held state secrets. We all had our guesses on who’d take over. There was even a pool going around the embassy—as it turns out one of the marine guards, made a small fortune on the pool, being the only one to bet on De Bono…he always went for the long shot and it paid off on that one. Heck, the whole world was speculating. Even Time and Life got in on the act with those premature covers of theirs.


http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4214/lifei.jpg
Life Magazine’s “Premature” prediction of Balbo’s ascent (image created by lounge60)


http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/8913/timen.jpg
Time Magazine cover, similarly premature in its predictions (image by lounge60)

We all played along, of course, praising De Bono’s “dynamic leadership” and “firm but gentle hand”. Churchill called him a “wonderful chap, very dignified and controlled”, or something of the sort. Chautemps, who was the French PM at the time, said he’d “bring stability”, which was high praise coming from someone of his radical background. Still, there was shock and disbelief all around at what had happened.

Our first real “field intelligence” on what was really going on came after the ceremony, during the big celebratory feast in De Bono’s honor. There we got to mingle with all the bigwigs of Italy and Fascism. De Bono was strutting like an old cock, oblivious and lost in his own illusory importance. We all kept an eye out and, even though all the Italian ministers and big men kept to the script, one needed only to watch who was talking to whom to get an idea of the political undercurrents in the room. It was obvious that Time and Life weren’t completely off in predicting Balbo. If De Bono was the old cock, Balbo was the young rooster secretly…dealing with all the hens, so to say. He was flitting in and out of the crowd, talking to everyone from the big money men to the party elites to the aristocrats and royals. When we learned of his promotion to Interior Minister, and the new powers the office held, any suspicions of Balbo’s behind-the-scene power were confirmed and for a while we suspected that he was indeed the true ruler of the country. But like anything involved in Italian politics that was only part of the story.

I’d spoken with Farinacci and Starace for a while and they seemed to be plotting even then. It became more and more obvious over the coming months that they still held a lot of influence in the government, leaders of many dissenting factions. Farinacci’s new position at the head of the Grand Council, a position only held by Mussolini himself beforehand, raised some eyebrows. When I spoke with Farinacci he was reticent and kept steering the conversation to of all things my time in the Wilson administration. He was quite interested on how Wilson dealt with the Negro issue, which made me a little uneasy as I’d not really supported the President on that specific issue.

Then there was Grandi, who was Foreign Minister again. I spoke at length with him on international issues, though he was very guarded and officious on anything domestic. He reassured us that Italy remained devoted to peace and international good will (though we’d heard that one before) and we spoke on trade relations for much of our time together. To be honest, we totally underestimated his underlying influence as a moderator in the government until the word “triumvirate” first reached our ears that summer.

We all tried desperately to have a word with Balbo, but that was like trying to get a word with Clark Gable at a Hollywood premier. Between work and social contacts Balbo was flitting from person to person, ever in motion, always laughing so loudly it sometimes disrupted others’ conversations and once earning a reproachful look from De Bono. I finally got my turn, briefly interrupting his conversation with a pair of young debutants, but he was more interested in discussing Mae West than diplomatic affairs at the time. In hindsight that might have been part of the deal in Fascism’s new balance of power.

From an interview with William Philips, then US Ambassador to Italy, for the1973 NPB documentary Roman Dreams, the Fascist Dictatorship of Italy.


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Note a piè di pagina:

1 –About Ambassador William Philips (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Phillips_(diplomat)).

[maverick]

VO: Dateline! April 3rd, 1938! New Italian “Duce” [sic] Emilio De Bono is sworn in as Italy’s newest dictator!

:D

I just had this image of the narrator saying this with an overtly cheery voice, like he was narrating a baseball game or something...

"And in Germany, Hitler has vowed to unite all the german peoples, by force if necessary...go, get 'em Adolf!"


but he was more interested in discussing Mae West than diplomatic affairs at the time. In hindsight that might have been part of the deal in Fascism’s new balance of power.


:D Loved this update
Life Magazine’s “Premature” prediction of Balbo’s ascent (image created by lounge60)

Hmmm...Did Lounge use photoshop for that? because I need a photoshop guy these days:o:p

[Geekhis Khan]

:D

I just had this image of the narrator saying this with an overtly cheery voice, like he was narrating a baseball game or something...

"And in Germany, Hitler has vowed to unite all the german peoples, by force if necessary...go, get 'em Adolf!"

Not so much cheery as just that "this is exciting, important stuff!" gung ho voice that the newsreel men used at that time.


:D Loved this update

Thanks! I went through a list of 30's film sirens before settling on West. I'm not sure why, but I get the idea he'd be into her more than say Betty Davis.


Hmmm...Did Lounge use photoshop for that? because I need a photoshop guy these days:o:p

He mentioned the software a few pages back when he first posted them. Not PS, something less sophisticated. Go back through the pages and you should spot it.

[maverick]

Not so much cheery as just that "this is exciting, important stuff!" gung ho voice that the newsreel men used at that time.



Yes, I know the voice...I can even hear it now...:p

[Greenlanterncorps]

Here is the voice, it's Lowell Thomas of Fox Movietone News.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Gt6hPuMaw

I have two degrees of separation from him. My Dad sat next to him on an airline flight in the sixties or seventies.

[Greenlanterncorps]

And this clip has some relevance to the thread at hand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXhez2mNmM&feature=related

[Jimbrock]

Good, keep it up! Seems that the Americans have a lot of interest in Balbo...

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

Yes, I know the voice...I can even hear it now...:p
Yes, very well done, Geekis. You caught the tone of those newsreel voices admirably, IMO.

[The Professor]

Nice update GK.
I could just about hear that VO in my head :D.
Churchill called him a “wonderful chap, very dignified and controlled”, or something of the sort. *wry smile*

[Geekhis Khan]

Yes, I know the voice...I can even hear it now...:p

Here is the voice, it's Lowell Thomas of Fox Movietone News.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Gt6hPuMaw

I have two degrees of separation from him. My Dad sat next to him on an airline flight in the sixties or seventies.

Actually this would be Westbrook Van Voorhis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westbrook_Van_Voorhis) from the March of Time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_March_of_Time) newsreels, but very similar.

EDIT: Here's (http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip/49301063_009.do?assetId=asset_1877149/clip_7446713) an excerpt of one with Mussolini from 1935.

And this clip has some relevance to the thread at hand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXhez2mNmM&feature=related


Definately relevant! I actually linked that very newsreel in an earlier chapter.

Good, keep it up! Seems that the Americans have a lot of interest in Balbo...

Thanks! And yes, the Americans still remember him, overall fondly, from the 1933 Transatlantic flights.

Yes, very well done, Geekis. You caught the tone of those newsreel voices admirably, IMO.

Thanks!

Nice update GK.
I could just about hear that VO in my head :D.
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] *wry smile*

Thanks!

More updates coming soon. Thanks for the continued support!:)

[Geekhis Khan]

Count Galeazzo Ciano awoke from his coma to an entirely different world than the one he last recalled. His beloved wife and perhaps more beloved Duce were dead, killed by the very grenade that had left him crippled and nearly killed him as well. The nation of Austria had ceased to exist, absorbed into the greater German Reich. And replacing his late father in law at the head of government was “that senile old idiot” De Bono, in truth figurehead for a triumvirate of his political rivals. He reportedly reacted poorly to these revelations, according to doctor’s records, growing so enraged at this last point that the doctor felt the need to administer a sedative lest he further injure himself.

Ciano’s diary entries from the long months of his recovery are sparse and often illegible or unintelligible. Entire paragraphs are unreadable. Some are water-damaged (possibly tears). Many are in someone else’s handwriting, indicating that at least some entries were dictated. Gone is the self-satisfied and cocky tone of his pre-bombing diary entries. In their place is a fragmented, bitter series of entries which reflect his damaged state. Many of these entries rail against the “cowardly Marxists [sic]” that attacked him and killed his wife and father in law. Others rail against the “trinity of fools” that had taken over the nation. Yet others express real worry for the nation with Germany looming so large. Some devolve into such expressions of clear paranoia and fantasy that they betray an extremely fragile mental state, likely due to a combination of damage from the bomb itself, post-traumatic shock, and perhaps the onset of the mental illnesses that would plague him sporadically throughout his life. One entry, which seems to incorporate each of these characteristic elements, reads:

March 14th, 1938: The nurse brings me a strange picture…it is my sainted wife made into a Constantinoplian [sic] icon of the blessed Mary [1]. The image angers me and I throw it at the fat painted whore nurse. Damn her! She’s trying to break my mind and will. I have no doubt that provincial lout Balbo is behind it. She watches me at night from the shadows and I fear soon she shall inject me with a poison to finish me off. I must keep awake!

I again take up the true picture of sainted Edda by my bed. I remember our times [writing illegible] and when the clouds fell with the wall and we heard that strange grind and the ringing [writing illegible] for all time so help me God!!

Hitler waits on the border with the French. They come to kill us what Benito started for they fear – yes fear! – what we created. So they sent their assassin and placed their Balbo and their Farinacci like vipers in the nest they are. I must regain my strength and save the Empire!!!
Ciano’s long process of physical and mental therapy helped him regain some of his former cunning. This is reflected in later entries, which gain moments of lucidity and deep insight into the political process in Rome and abroad, as always interspersed with ravings and paranoia. […]

After many months of physical therapy and reconstructive surgeries he regained the ability to walk, albeit relying heavily on a cane. As his physical and psychological well-being improved Ciano began to make occasional forays outside. Still prone to bouts of dizziness due to inner ear damage and bouts of acute paranoia that sometimes left him quivering, Ciano found a warm reception from the Italian people and his former political rivals, all of whom greeted him as a wounded hero. […]

Soon Ciano found himself a living icon, adored and revered and yet pitied and isolated. He lamented in his diary how Fascist leaders would either treat him “like a show dog or like a broken child or like an Olympian demigod, but never like a man.” The reverence extended to Mussolini and Edda, and more and more he would see his father in law’s secular canonization played out in paint and marble even as the government veered in directions he was sure his Duce would never have wanted. […] He would find himself in a strange position not unlike that of an elder statesman who’d retired from public life, but was constantly sought out for advice or prophetic insight…into what Mussolini would have wanted. Certainly none of this helped his mental state. Yet while his forced retirement from politics would remove him forever from the power he sought, his strange new iconic status still afforded him a Delphian measure of influence over the direction of the Fascist nation.

From the Forward to The Annotated Ciano Diaries, edited by Giovanni Florentino, Università Littoria, Rome, and translated by Stephen Lambert, University of New York, Ithica.

************************************************

Note a piè di pagina:

1 – After the assassination made martyrs of Mussolini and his daughter Edda, a variety of memorabilia appeared for sale across Italy. Posters, pins, glasses, shirts, pictures…you name it. One of the oddest was the iconographic images: Mussolini as a saint, Edda as the Virgin Mary, and other near-worshipful (and flat out blasphemous) imagery. These latter “icons” were denounced by both the party and the Catholic Church, the former of which banned their production, sale, or display, the latter of which declared them blasphemous and sinful. They still circulated despite these admonitions. In one strange butterfly, some of the icons made their way to Haiti, where some found a place on Vodou altars. Since then, Edda and Benito have been “canonized” into Vodou as Loa spirits, the former as an aspect of Erzuli, the latter as an aspect of Oggun, or sometimes Chango or even the Ghede (death) Loa.

[maverick]

:D

Voodoo saint, Benito Mussolini...

Damn, what a bad time to wake up, although it could be worse.

Imagine if Ciano woke up in the midst of a successful post-WWII Balboist Italy in the 1960s and his family decides to hide that from him! eh, too zany...:p

[Archangel]

Nice updates, Geekhis!:)
Ciano become a ceremonial hero for Italy, revered but not obeyed.

[Nivek]

Poor Cianno(but that is thousand better than being remember like a lap-dog), and Santifited and later Santerio(spanish name for voodoo-like ritual in Haiti and Cuba) by the Haitians.... the irony of the butterflies,:D

(I was Wondering if Alessandra Musollini found TTL, how will be her reaction, even know with the basic that her doesn't exisit in TTL, but will be very happy than her granddady is remember like a 'saint':D)

Well... let them of tease us and start soon *WW2, I think here than Italy will have the same role than OTL WW1, Try to make an offensive via Alps with limited success, and being harrases by the Nazis in every possible Direction but later being crucicial in the Germany Conquest. And that leave us Another big divergence, because with Italian Collaboration(or rather the lack of fighting the dead-weight Italians in Afriacan and later Europe) will make the Iron wall being more east than OTL(i think we gonna have Warsaw Wall rather Berlin Wall or, Konisberg wall???), that is pretty big white elephant in the room for someones

Well Continue with the Timeline, for nothing is one of the best one in the forum in the year(remember the turtledove fight with CCA: Chiang kai shek going to germany) i wish luck

Att

Nivek Von Beldo

[Geekhis Khan]

:D

Voodoo saint, Benito Mussolini...

Damn, what a bad time to wake up, although it could be worse.

Imagine if Ciano woke up in the midst of a successful post-WWII Balboist Italy in the 1960s and his family decides to hide that from him! eh, too zany...:p

That last sounds like movie plot. :)

Nice updates, Geekhis!:)
Ciano become a ceremonial hero for Italy, revered but not obeyed.

Pretty much. He'll still have an advisory role, but his days as a front line politician are over. He'll never fully recover from the bombing. Ironically, he'll start feeling some remorse for his actions in Ethiopia having now been on the receiving end of explosives and will become one of the few voices speaking out for the Ethiopians.

Poor Cianno(but that is thousand better than being remember like a lap-dog), and Santifited and later Santerio(spanish name for voodoo-like ritual in Haiti and Cuba) by the Haitians.... the irony of the butterflies,:D

(I was Wondering if Alessandra Musollini found TTL, how will be her reaction, even know with the basic that her doesn't exisit in TTL, but will be very happy than her granddady is remember like a 'saint':D)

Well... let them of tease us and start soon *WW2, I think here than Italy will have the same role than OTL WW1, Try to make an offensive via Alps with limited success, and being harrases by the Nazis in every possible Direction but later being crucicial in the Germany Conquest. And that leave us Another big divergence, because with Italian Collaboration(or rather the lack of fighting the dead-weight Italians in Afriacan and later Europe) will make the Iron wall being more east than OTL(i think we gonna have Warsaw Wall rather Berlin Wall or, Konisberg wall???), that is pretty big white elephant in the room for someones

Well Continue with the Timeline, for nothing is one of the best one in the forum in the year(remember the turtledove fight with CCA: Chiang kai shek going to germany) i wish luck

Att

Nivek Von Beldo

Thanks, Nivek. :)

Yes, Mussolinian Orishas are certain to appear with crossover from Vodou into Lukumi and other Afro-Caribbean religions. They'll also make their way back to Africa via Benin. In yet another butterfly this will be the source of difficulty between Vodou/etc. and Rastafaarianism, which considers Mussolini pretty much the Antichrist for deposing Ras Tafaari himself.

The war will be interesting to say the least. No African Theater alone will have massive butterflies all around. You're on to some of it, but there's more in there waiting. :cool:

Thanks again, all. :)

[Jimbrock]

Great! Ciano lives!
Poor old sod. Is he mentally back to normal now?

[Geekhis Khan]

Great! Ciano lives!
Poor old sod. Is he mentally back to normal now?

Never really recovers, physically, mentally, or emotionally, poor bastard.

That's what happens when you're that close to an air burst.

[SenatorChickpea]

Never really recovers, physically, mentally, or emotionally, poor bastard.

That's what happens when you're that close to an air burst.

You get bonus points if one of the poor guy's opinions turns out to be right long before anyone else spots it. I like the idea of a mutilated Ciano as the Cassandra of Fascist Italy...

[Geekhis Khan]

You get bonus points if one of the poor guy's opinions turns out to be right long before anyone else spots it. I like the idea of a mutilated Ciano as the Cassandra of Fascist Italy...

Kinky...I like. This is especially ironic considering that Balbo was OTL's "Fascist Cassandra".

[ferrosol]

Caught up with the story again! things are getting interesting and I must say I do enjoy the faux historical style of story telling. Now anyone care to place bets on how long it is before Farinacci has a nasty car "accident"?

[Geekhis Khan]

Over the course of several months the new Triumvirate government in Italy went through early growing pains as the three Triumvirs and the various factions tested the extent of their powers. By summer, mostly through the tactical avoidance and tabling of controversial issues in favor of day-to-day areas most could agree upon, a tentative equilibrium had been established in the post-Mussolinian government.

This equilibrium didn't last long. The room held many elephants that no one wished to acknowledge, fearing a return to the factional bickering that nearly tore apart the nation in the aftermath of the assassination. Among these issues were the direction of the economy and the balance between private and corporative sectors, labor issues, and foreign policy, most notably what to do about the resurgent German Reich. While the government had issued a half-hearted expression of concern over the Anschluss and the people almost overwhelmingly opposed the Austrian annexation, within the chambers a strong and vocal minority led by Triumvir Farinacci favored continued detente with Germany. A majority, including all three Triumvirs, also held residual enmity for France, the obvious enemy of Germany in the event of continental war, making the possibility for detente with Germany more palatable for some.

Interestingly, it would be a domestic issue which would first expose the inherent fragility of the Triumvirate: the so-called "Jewish question". While Antisemitism was uncommon in Italy and within the party (notably many party members were Jewish, among them Mussolini's former mistress Margherita Sarfatti), a notable bloc lead by avowed Jew-hater Farinacci first raised the "question" as an agenda item in a June 3rd meeting of the Grand Council of Fascism. Immediately this led to outraged response by Triumvir Balbo, whose friendship and political alliance with the Jews of Ferrara were well known. [...]

The "Jewish question" exploded out of control quickly, in part due to the controversial nature of the bill itself, in part due to the obvious tie-in to the "German question" as the proposed measures openly aped Nazi Antisemetic laws, and yet also undoubtedly in part as a proxy war over power sharing within the Triumvirate government. Farinacci's bloc faced rebuttal from not just the Balbian and Jewish factions, but also ended up opposed by Grandian supporters. However, the virulently anti-Catholic Farinacci found a strange ally in some devout Catholics and certain factions within the Catholic church, zealous ultraconservatives who considered the Jewish people damned due to their supposed blame for the Crucifiction. Historians are bitterly divided on whether or not Pius XII supported the proposed measures or not. The king and the army remained silent on the issue.

By mid summer attempts to keep the debate private had been scuttled and a war of the press had erupted between Balbo's Corriere Padano and Farinacci's Il Regime Fascista, the Antisemitic laws being the battleground of choice. The Padano's editor Nello Quilici took personal charge in the "war of the papers" [1], issuing scathing editorials linking the issue and its proponents (and by implication Farinacci) to the "barbarian expansion to the north" (Germany) and tearing apart argument for argument any statements made by the Regime. Ferrara's wealthy Jews, in alliance with big men in the Confindustria, helped fund the expansion of the Padano's circulation until it's readership tripled and expanded across the Italian Empire.

Predictably, Balbo himself didn't stay quiet either. In many cases he voiced the contributions of Jewish Italians to the Kingdom and to the Fascist government. In one filmed public appearance before a group of Great War veterans he called upon one Jewish vet. "Raise your arm," he told the veteran, who did as asked. "Now raise your other arm," to which the veteran responded "I cannot, sir, it was lost in the war." "This brave Italian Jew gave his arm for the kingdom! Some would have him spit upon. I will have him sit beside me at dinner!" was Balbo's response [2]. [...]

Balbo became the darling of the Italian Jewish population, cementing new allies and forging new alliances. He soon counted among his allies all the Jewish professionals and bourgeoisie of the Confindustria and Agrari and the Jewish Fascists, the latter undermining part of Farinacci comrade Starace's power base. Fascist lawyer Margherita Sarfatti, Mussolini's former mistress and ally, was one of Balbo's more vocal and public allies, speaking out that Il Duce would never have supported the "German Nazi" measure. Her growing partnership with Balbo led to rumors that the Triumvir was helping himself to more than just the Duce's seat of government. [...]

http://www.letralia.com/223/sarfatti.jpg
Margherita Sarfatti, Jewish Fascist lawyer and Mussolinian mistress

Eventually Farinacci was forced to withdraw the Antisemitic bill. Though he, his allies, or his successors would occasionally bring it back in some modified form (and a near-identical measure would appear in the short lived Lombardy Social Republic) the defeat spelled the de facto end of Antisemitic lawmaking in Fascist Italy and paved the way for the Project Moses and the New Exodus. It also marked a political turning point in the Triumvirate that saw Balbo's star continuing to rise while Farinacci's began its inexorable fade.


From Black Phoenix: the Rise, Imminent Fall, and Resurrection of the Italian Fascist Party, by Prof. Vivian LaMarche, University of Louisiana, Baton Rouge


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Note a piè di pagina:

1 – OTL the Padano openly opposed the laws for as long as possible. When forced by the government to tow the party line it began to run half-hearted stories supporting racial theory and Antisemitism...stories so half-hearted and poorly argued that many believe them to be stealth parodies of the laws and political straw men.

2 – Balbo did this exact "hand raising" display OTL to protest Mussolini's new Antisemitic laws. I have changed the text slightly due to "butterflied" situations, but the situation as presented happened almost exactly like presented.

[maverick]

Oh, imagine all the possibilities...

Jews settling in Eritrea or Somalia...

Lombardy Social Republic)

Sounds like a fun place all around...:eek:

[mailinutile2]

Quite an interesting thtread, but I think that there is a fundamental flaw: Balbo was a serious person.
I know it seems nonsense if you do not live in Italy, but italian people does not trust a serious politician.
to be succesful you must be able to compromise.
Mussolini was able to compromise (with the church, with industrial, with agrarians) and got the power, while Balbo was not.
From this point of view Ciano (which was also M son-in-law) was a more probable heir to M.

However, I have this crazy vision of Balbo being outraged of his Lybian exile, insulting Mussolini, fleeing to the USA and becoming Major of New York.
Is not Balbo Avenue one of the main streets?

[Geekhis Khan]

Well, I'm guessing either you're a speed reader of amazing prowess, an ex lurker, or you have just skimmed the TL at best since you're brand new to the forums here, because a lot of your concerns are specifically addressed in the TL. :p

But to answer you directly:

Quite an interesting thtread, but I think that there is a fundamental flaw: Balbo was a serious person.
I know it seems nonsense if you do not live in Italy, but italian people does not trust a serious politician.
to be succesful you must be able to compromise.
Mussolini was able to compromise (with the church, with industrial, with agrarians) and got the power, while Balbo was not.

I'm not sure what you mean by "serious", but OTL Balbo was certainly willing to compromise and regularly did so. He was more than happy to set aside any residual republican and liberal leanings to court the monarchy and the corporativists as part of his many power-plays, for example. A lot of his bluster was calculated, IMO, and in the end he always towed the party line despite any misgivings.

From this point of view Ciano (which was also M son-in-law) was a more probable heir to M.

Certainly, though he's also in horrible physical and mental shape ITTL after being caught in the same explosion that killed Mussolini, so he's no heir at the moment. :p

However, I have this crazy vision of Balbo being outraged of his Lybian exile, insulting Mussolini, fleeing to the USA and becoming Major of New York.
Is not Balbo Avenue one of the main streets?

That was Chicago. 7th Ave. became Balbo Ave. They're still arguing over the name.

An expat Balbo moving to the US is actually possible and would be an interesting TL. :D

[lounge60]

Some thoughts:
Farinacci not had much followers;
not had any chance to become "Duce".
But...
But for sure,in a situation like this (this timeline) he would become the man of Hitler in Italy.
Many funds would pass secretly,from Germany to his greedy hands.
If Schickelgruber had invaded Italy,Farinacci would be the Italian Quisling,no doubt.
Racial laws: in Italy very few were supportives.
The King and the court,Army,Navy,Vatican,Buisness,all aganist.
In a timeline like this the only way for racial laws aganist jews is a nazi invasion with Farinacci like puppet.

[Geekhis Khan]

Some thoughts:
Farinacci not had much followers;
not had any chance to become "Duce".
But...
But for sure,in a situation like this (this timeline) he would become the man of Hitler in Italy.
Many funds would pass secretly,from Germany to his greedy hands.
If Schickelgruber had invaded Italy,Farinacci would be the Italian Quisling,no doubt.
Racial laws: in Italy very few were supportives.
The Kings and the court,Army,Navy,Vatican,Buisness,all aganist.
In a timeline like this the only way for racial laws aganist jews is a nazi invasion with Farinacci like puppet.

Exactly! Well stated, lounge! ;)

[lounge60]

Roberto Farinacci....a real nasty type!
His biography is entitled "lupo vigliacco" ("cowardly wolf").
http://www.deastore.com/libro/lupo-vigliacco-vita-di-roberto-sergio-vicini-paolo-a-dossena-hobby-e-work-publishing/9788878511903.html
rough,trivial,violent,greedy,antisemite,crooked,re vengeful
The perfect villain.
Hey,wait a moment:
"The Cowardly Wolf VS the Bold Eagle"!
Sound right!!

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/4370/farinacci.jpg

[joea64]

Yes, Farinacci looks quite the thug (all the more stunning a contrast with the elegant Balbo). Not asking for spoilers, but I bet he'll turn up as "Duce" of the gimcrack "Lombardy Social Republic", which I presume is the puppet state that Hitler will set up in the occupied portion of Italy - for I'm assuming that the Wehrmact will come crashing down on Italy at some point, fangs out and hair on fire. (If and when they do, there's a famous OTL propaganda poster which showed a fist clad in the Italian flag punching Hitler in the jaw with the legend "Fuori i Tedeschi!" [Kick out the Germans!] that you may want to recycle for this TL.)

Oh, and speaking of wartime propaganda posters, I had an idea earlier today while reading the latest entries; might somebody with Photoshop skills be able to try their hand at an image of the Italian fascist axe splitting the Nazi swastika in half?

Another idea: I've been thinking about how popular culture is going to be changed around in this TL. For one thing, Italian fascist villains are a no-go in Hollywood films in this TL; World War II movies including Italian characters are a lot more likely to feature them as heroes, especially if Italy goes active on the Allied side. (The fact that Jewish people are so prominent in Hollywood is, I would say, also going to be a big influence on WWII portrayals of Italians, especially once Balbo's tantalizingly-named "Project Moses" and the "Second Exodus" get underway.)

I would expect the squickier aspects of Fascism to get swept under the carpet in 1940's films, and Balbo to get a lot of love (maybe Mae West, hearing that the Marshal is a big fan of hers, even includes a Balbo expy as a romantic-interest character in one of her late-'30's films! :D ) If and when Charlie Chaplin gets around to making "The Great Dictator", it won't make sense for him to mock Balbo; probably more logical to make him the good-guy ruler from the south who comes by in his fleet of seaplanes to beat up Hynkel.

Which actors in 1930's/1940's Hollywood might be able to do a good impression of Balbo?

[lounge60]

Ronald Colman? ( elegant,romantic..) http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Colman (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Colman)

Charles Boyer (was Napoleon,why not Balbo)? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Boyer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Boyer)

Maybe A chance for a great role for Caesar Romero? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesar_Romero (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesar_Romero)

Or an Italian actor,for exemple Gino Cervi. http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gino_Cervi (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gino_Cervi) http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lunganotte43-Cervi.jpg (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lunganotte43-Cervi.jpg)

For sure Farinacci is George Raft. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Raft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Raft)

[joea64]

Good heavens, you're right. Farinacci does have an alarming resemblance to George Raft - who was a genuine, authentic gangster before he made his way to Hollywood. (To digress, if you will pardon: it's quite paradoxical that Edward G. Robinson, who was Hollywood's go-to guy for gangsters in the classic era alongside Raft, was, in RL, known as one of the gentlest and most cultured men in Hollywood, and hated guns so much that he'd flinch whenever he fired one onscreen.)

Whoever plays Balbo will have to be able to wear an appliance to replicate that famous chin beard without looking silly. We need screen tests. Photoshop artists, to arms! :D

[lounge60]

My favourite for Balbo role is Ronald Colman
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1262/colmanbalbo.jpg

But Gino Cervi that was a famous and beloved Italian movie star in 30s,40s,50s,60s and 70s would be simply perfect.
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lunganotte43-Cervi.jpg

[lounge60]

A Warner cartoon from 1944 ATL:
"Farinasty the cowardly wolf".

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/305/blitzwolf.jpg

[Geekhis Khan]

ROFL, awesome, you two! :D

Love the "Farinasty the Cowardly Wolf" image! The idea of Tex Avery having a go at Farinacci is too cool to pass up.

On Balbo in Hollywood, I have plans. Hadn't picked out any actors...I'll check out those suggestions, though. Not just Hollywood but the US in general will have a different early image of Fascism (and see it distinct from Naziism), though it will remain seriously controversial even as Balbo decentralizes it. I've dropped hints here and there.

And if anyone wants to make propaganda posters, feel free. Thanks again, everyone! :)

[mailinutile2]

in my birthplace Balbo is still remembered today, but I fear that the image is just that on a un-heroic provincial thugh.
"Balbo l'ha passé l'oceano, ma miga la Parma" is a phrase that many old people quote remembering that, during the march on Rome he had to dodge, skirt and go around several small towns because he would be stopped by red (or generally anti-fascist) uprising

[Geekhis Khan]

in my birthplace Balbo is still remembered today, but I fear that the image is just that on a un-heroic provincial thugh.
"Balbo l'ha passé l'oceano, ma miga la Parma" is a phrase that many old people quote remembering that, during the march on Rome he had to dodge, skirt and go around several small towns because he would be stopped by red (or generally anti-fascist) uprising


I actually go into this in an early chapter, very specifically calling out his brutal reputation as a Blackshirt, his flagrant voter intimidation methods, and his retreat from Parma. This reputation has and will resurface on occasion, helping to crack the heroic facade. I really encourage you to take the time to read through the entire timeline. You'll see a lot of your issues specifially addressed.

[joea64]

I actually go into this in an early chapter, very specifically calling out his brutal reputation as a Blackshirt, his flagrant voter intimidation methods, and his retreat from Parma. This reputation has and will resurface on occasion, helping to crack the heroic facade. I really encourage you to take the time to read through the entire timeline. You'll see a lot of your issues specifially addressed.

You may have addressed this earlier, but if there's a Cold War analogue in this TL, I see the dark side of Balbo's character and reputation being a major political football being tossed around in late-'40's/early-'50's America. Balboite Italy will probably be a key Western ally against the Soviets, and I definitely see liberals and the left, maybe even some conservatives, hammering hard on the more unsavory parts of Balbo's history. The more leftish folks in Hollywood, for example, are going to have a fair bit of difficulty swallowing the Balbolatry pushed by the moguls (I see Louis B. Mayer, for example, being a big Balbo booster.)

[Geekhis Khan]

You may have addressed this earlier, but if there's a Cold War analogue in this TL, I see the dark side of Balbo's character and reputation being a major political football being tossed around in late-'40's/early-'50's America. Balboite Italy will probably be a key Western ally against the Soviets, and I definitely see liberals and the left, maybe even some conservatives, hammering hard on the more unsavory parts of Balbo's history. The more leftish folks in Hollywood, for example, are going to have a fair bit of difficulty swallowing the Balbolatry pushed by the moguls (I see Louis B. Mayer, for example, being a big Balbo booster.)

Like I said...his Blackshirt past will resurface again and again. I didn't start the TL with the term "Controversial Legend" for nothing! :cool:

PS, mind if I steal the term "Balbolatry"? That's perfect! :)

[maverick]

My favourite for Balbo role is Ronald Colman
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1262/colmanbalbo.jpg

But Gino Cervi that was a famous and beloved Italian movie star in 30s,40s,50s,60s and 70s would be simply perfect.
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lunganotte43-Cervi.jpg

NO! It has to be Mario Lanza! :D

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Mario_Lanza_Otello.jpg

[joea64]

Like I said...his Blackshirt past will resurface again and again. I didn't start the TL with the term "Controversial Legend" for nothing! :cool:

PS, mind if I steal the term "Balbolatry"? That's perfect! :)

Go right ahead. ;) I just had a great idea for a line on this TL's analogue to TV Tropes' entry for "Internet Backdraft":

* REAL LIFE:
** On a conservative web forum (especially in Italy), post anything denigrating Italo Balbo. On a liberal or leftist web forum, post anything praising Italo Balbo, especially if it's the kind of uncritical adulation known as "Balbolatry". Either way, make sure to don your Nomex suit first.

[joea64]

Maverick, Mario Lanza would be an excellent casting choice for Balbo...for postwar movies. He first came to the notice of Hollywood with his performance at the Hollywood Bowl in 1947, after which he signed a contract with MGM. I like Colman for the war-era films.

Geekhis, here's another idea, and not one usually covered in AH: how about taking a look at the Italian fashion industry? I'm reading Marie-France Pochna's bio of Christian Dior and came across this paragraph on page 90:

"In Rome, for example, the important clients from the upper middle class and the aristocracy who used to come to Paris for their wardrobes had changed their buying habits with the policies of Il Duce. Mussolini's plan was to promote Italian fashion and bring it in line with Italy's already well-established reputation for fine footwear. In 1936 he passed a law declaring that at least 25 percent of every Italian couture collection had to be 'Italian in inspiration'. The princesses of Italy's royal family and the wives of other dignitaries were also seen to back the initiative."

Mussolini put this decree through in 1936, well before his TTL assassination. I very much see Balbo pushing even more strongly for the Italian couture industry; note that this would earn him plenty of points with the women of the aristocracy and upper/upper middle class. Balbo's wife, Emanuela, would certainly be one of those wearing the best in Italian haute couture. For that matter, I see the potential for a butterfly affecting some of the notable designers of the 1940's, including Dior himself. The French fashion industry came under extreme pressure from the Germans during the Occupation to relocate to Berlin, but Lucien Lelong, the industry's head, was able to successfully resist them. IF he has less success in this TL, perhaps some couturiers (including Dior) flee to Italy and set up shop there?

[Geekhis Khan]

All those actors seem like good ones. There's also the possibility, knowing Hollywood OTL, that they just use some A-list studio star like Clark Gable and forget any accent or similarity. :rolleyes: I'm still noodling over both Hollywood and the post-war Italian film industry with Fascist culture and censorship still in place, at least in some manner. Frex, I'm trying to picture Fellini and Leone post-war.

On fashion, that's great stuff, joea! I hadn't put too much thought into fashion, but those are excellent points. With Balbo's ties to the Roman socialites thats a natural. Thanks!

[Geekhis Khan]

NO! It has to be Mario Lanza! :D



Wow, just read the wiki on him. He's frighteningly perfect! :eek:


His budding operatic career was interrupted by World War II (http://www.alternatehistory.com/wiki/World_War_II), when he was assigned to Special Services in the U.S. Army Air Corps (http://www.alternatehistory.com/wiki/United_States_Army_Air_Corps). He appeared in the wartime shows On the Beam and Winged Victory (http://www.alternatehistory.com/wiki/Winged_Victory_(play)). He also appeared in the film version of the latter (albeit as an unrecognizable member of the chorus).

Also, in terms of personality and attitude:

Lanza was known to be "rebellious, tough, and ambitious",[3] (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/#cite_note-Fischer-2) and during most of his film career, he suffered from addictions to overeating and alcohol which had a serious affect on his health and his relationships with directors, producers and sometimes the cast. Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper (http://www.alternatehistory.com/wiki/Hedda_Hopper) writes that "his smile, which was as big as his voice, was matched with the habits of a tiger cub, impossible to housebreak."

[joea64]

All those actors seem like good ones. There's also the possibility, knowing Hollywood OTL, that they just use some A-list studio star like Clark Gable and forget any accent or similarity. :rolleyes: I'm still noodling over both Hollywood and the post-war Italian film industry with Fascist culture and censorship still in place, at least in some manner. Frex, I'm trying to picture Fellini and Leone post-war.

On fashion, that's great stuff, joea! I hadn't put too much thought into fashion, but those are excellent points. With Balbo's ties to the Roman socialites thats a natural. Thanks!

You're very welcome. :) I know there's at least one book with lots of pictures on Fascist-era Italian couture OTL, but it's in Italian. I'll have to look in the Library of Congress' online catalog. Might could be you could get it on interlibrary loan via a university library that has it.

As to postwar Italian cinema, one question will be whether Sophia Loren's sister ever meets and marries Romano Mussolini TTL. (Or did you mention Alessandra Mussolini, or her TTL analogue, earlier in this thread?) I'm also very interested to find out what happens to Gina Lollobrigida (b. 1928), Silvana Pampanini, Silvana Mangano, Anna Magnani, and other such famous beauties of Italian film. When I get home, I'll look at my copy of Masi and Lancia's book Italian Film Goddesses, which has a big section on stars of the '30's and '40's. The only one I can think of right off the top of my head is Isa Miranda, who was just about THE biggest Italian star prewar. She may be a candidate for a Balbo lover.

[lounge60]

Well i don'know how this timeline evolve,but If Balbo stay out from the war,nazis invade Italy and put Farinacci as puppet "Duce",
and Balbo become the "Italian De Gaulle"...well i think that is very,very difficult that in post war Italy remains a fascist (or a fascist moderate) nation.
I think that Italy after the war can only be a democracy.
The new parties Democristhian,Liberals (that in Italy are the equivalent of the moderate Repubblicans like Ike and Rockfeller),and specially Socialists and Socialdemocratics not can forget the early Balbo,the fascist thugs of the 20s.
So Balbo is a national hero, beloved in country and in the free world ,but in the new Italy is a bit a unwieldly figure.
Moreover Balbo is changed and matured.
He have understood that fascism is wrong untill mid 30s
Very interesting quote from Italo Balbo conversation with Prince Umberto di Savoia and Princess Maria Josè.

In late 1935 during a travel in Libya Balbo said to Prince and Princess:

"The donut (fascism) is not turn out well"
and
"A country where is not possible freely express opinions have not a future".


and now he have fight fascism in his more brutal form.
So i think that the old Eagle in late 40s leave.
"Mission completed".
He is the most great Italian hero in XX century,and can retire full of glory.
I se Balbo in 50s like an influent buisnessman in aereonautics industry,with many goods friends in USA and UK.

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2480/frab.jpg

[joea64]

I see Kathryn Grayson (who OTL was a regular Lanza costar) being cast as Balbo's wife opposite Mario. Hilarity Ensues. (Grayson, who passed away the other week, had a VERY rocky relationship with Lanza.)

[joea64]

In any discussion of film in Balboist Italy, you absolutely must include Antonio De Curtis, better known as Totò:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tot%C3%B2

Born in 1898, he was already a major theatre/vaudeville star by 1937, when he made his first movie; many people consider him the absolute biggest movie star Italy has ever produced. I can very easily see Balbo being a fan of his (may even have been OTL). One way to do it is to have his early comedies produced as morale-boosters during the war.

[Greenlanterncorps]

All those actors seem like good ones. There's also the possibility, knowing Hollywood OTL, that they just use some A-list studio star like Clark Gable and forget any accent or similarity. :rolleyes: I'm still noodling over both Hollywood and the post-war Italian film industry with Fascist culture and censorship still in place, at least in some manner. Frex, I'm trying to picture Fellini and Leone post-war.

On fashion, that's great stuff, joea! I hadn't put too much thought into fashion, but those are excellent points. With Balbo's ties to the Roman socialites thats a natural. Thanks!


Clark Gable as Balbo:

"Frankly Adolf, I don't give a damn!"

[joea64]

On fashion, that's great stuff, joea! I hadn't put too much thought into fashion, but those are excellent points. With Balbo's ties to the Roman socialites thats a natural. Thanks!

Just Googled, and I found a book in English on Fascist-era Italian fashion:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6912751-fashion-at-the-time-of-fascism

On Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Fashion-Time-Fascism-Mario-Lupano/dp/8862080514/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267805403&sr=8-1

It may be too pricey for you to buy, so try getting it via interlibrary loan. It sounds like just the resource for you to check on this topic!

[lounge60]

Hmm..
If Hollywood had make a movie on De Gaulle,i don't think that the choise was on American actor,but on French for sure.
Same thing for an English personality.
So is probable an Italian actor for Balbo.
In late 40s?
Maybe Cervi or De Sica,but think that they not speak well English,and US movies not use dubbing.
So?
Lanza is a singer,and don't think that can play Balbo very well (maybe in a Musical).
The only maybe is Rossano Brazzi. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossano_Brazzi

http://www.garboforever.com/Bilder/Unrealized_Projects/Rossano_Brazzi.jpg

[Geekhis Khan]

Thanks again on the film and fashion info! This will all be very helpful. :)

I never mentioned Allesandra Mussolini in the TL, though discussed her in commentary, as she is pretty much butterflied into non-existance, though some analog Mussie offspring, whether film or political or both, may well arrive.

And lounge, thanks as always. Did you make that stamp? That's brilliant! [1]

1 - It's also, unfortunately, not really applicable to this TL. Though if you made it I might request a similar one more in keeping with TTL's WW2.

[lounge60]

In any discussion of film in Balboist Italy, you absolutely must include Antonio De Curtis, better known as Totò:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tot%C3%B2

Born in 1898, he was already a major theatre/vaudeville star by 1937, when he made his first movie; many people consider him the absolute biggest movie star Italy has ever produced. I can very easily see Balbo being a fan of his (may even have been OTL). One way to do it is to have his early comedies produced as morale-boosters during the war.
Yes,in OTL Balbo was a Totò fan.
He like also Renato Rascel http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renato_Rascel
(In spring 1940 Balbo said to he: "War together the Germans?? You joke?
Nothing is so mad! if we go in war i cut my balls").
Balbo like also Macario http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erminio_Macario
And the De Filippo brothers,Eduardo and Peppino http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_De_Filippo
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppino_De_Filippo
The man loves vaudeville,comedy and musicals (and pretty ballerine)

[joea64]

Yes,in OTL Balbo was a Totò fan.
He like also Renato Rascel http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renato_Rascel
(In spring 1940 Balbo said to he: "War together the Germans?? You joke?
Nothing is so mad! if we go in war i cut my balls").
Balbo like also Macario http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erminio_Macario
And the De Filippo brothers,Eduardo and Peppino http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_De_Filippo
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppino_De_Filippo
The man loves vaudeville,comedy and musicals (and pretty ballerine)

Thanks - I had forgotten those names for the time being! OK, I think I see how film in Balbo's Italy will develop. There won't be much if any Neorealist deep thinking, but lots and lots of comedies and splashy, big-budget musicals with gorgeous actresses; Balbo may well want to develop the musical unit of Cinecitta as head-to-head competition with the Freer musical unit at MGM. With his eye for beautiful women, I also see him discovering several of the bombshells of the postwar era, even if he doesn't take them to bed; I can hear Balbo appropriating John Kennedy's famous quip to the effect that if he'd slept with a fraction of the women he'd been supposed to have to, he'd be in a jar at (famous Italian university)!

[lounge60]

Just Googled, and I found a book in English on Fascist-era Italian fashion:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6912751-fashion-at-the-time-of-fascism

On Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Fashion-Time-Fascism-Mario-Lupano/dp/8862080514/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267805403&sr=8-1

It may be too pricey for you to buy, so try getting it via interlibrary loan. It sounds like just the resource for you to check on this topic!
In 30s Italian tailors were at the same (or more) level of Savile Row tailors.
Names like Caraceni (Rome) Rubinacci (Naples) Prandoni (Milan) La Parola (Palermo) are legend!


And lounge, thanks as always. Did you make that stamp? That's brilliant! .
From the book "La nostra guerra" di Enrico Brizzi,a italian alternate history novel.
http://www.enricobrizzi.it/lanostraguerra/flash/main.html

[joea64]

Submitted for your consideration, Maria Callas (b. 1923):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Callas

At the current point in this TL, the teenaged Callas is living with her mother in Athens (she was born in New York). Assuming she makes it through the war and gets into opera as OTL, she'll likely eventually end up at La Scala in Milan, and become a big star there. Who gets Maria, Italo Balbo or Aristotle Onassis (assuming _he_ survives the war)? ;)

[Geekhis Khan]

Awesome, you two, just awesome! Keep talking, I'm taking notes! :D

Damn, I need to learn Italian. That La nostra guerra looks very interesting.

[maverick]

How could anyone mention Callas, but not Renata Tebaldi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renata_Tebaldi):p

[joea64]

More to come when I get home - I'll look in that book and see what names I can throw out for you.

In the meantime, what about Prince Rainier of Monaco? OTL, he joined the French army and fought in the Alsace campaign in 1944, earning the Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor. There's as much coming and going between Italy and Monaco as between France and Monaco, so could it be that he joins the Italian army instead?

[Geekhis Khan]

More to come when I get home - I'll look in that book and see what names I can throw out for you.

In the meantime, what about Prince Rainier of Monaco? OTL, he joined the French army and fought in the Alsace campaign in 1944, earning the Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor. There's as much coming and going between Italy and Monaco as between France and Monaco, so could it be that he joins the Italian army instead?

Distinctly possible, I'll consider that one. Monaco will really need to play a balancing act between French and Italian influence considering how volitile the diplomatic situation will continue to be ITTL.

[lounge60]

Vichy France can play a more big role in Nazis side without Italy?
Maybe Laval can have fear for Tunisia and Morocco and ask to Hitler to send troops (Afrika korps).
Or when Germand invade Italy, Vichy France invade Lybia ("Is a stab in the Back",said President Roosevelt) and maybe Sardinia.
Italians and British forces from Egypt reject the French fascists,but Hitler send in Help the Afrika korps.

[joea64]

Just got home and I've cracked open that book - the correct title is Italian Movie Goddesses, by Stefano Masi and Enrico Lancia. You can get it on Amazon, but be prepared to shell out for the privilege; the lowest price for a used copy is $158.79. :eek: Then again, you could always ask me to look up something. :D

Anyway, the "big four" actresses of the Fascist era are:

Isa Miranda (b. 1909, a sort of Italian Marlene Dietrich); in OTL at this time (late 1937/early 1938), she'd actually struck out for the United States to try her luck in Hollywood following her turn in the Roman-era epic Scipione L'Africano. OTL, she'd come back to Italy in December 1939; you can have her return earlier or stay longer depending on the needs of your TL, since she didn't have an especially distinguished turn in Hollywood.

Elsa Merlini (b. 1904), a specialist in sophisticated comedy (think Myrna Loy or Carole Lombard), who was often paired with the actor Nino Berozzi in the same way Loy was coupled with William Powell.

Elisa Cegani (b. 1911), queen of drama and epics, who got a rather late start - her first big role, in Aldebaran, was only in 1935; she was the favorite actress of director Alessandro Blasetti.

Paola Barbara (b. 1912), the grand clotheshorse of 1930's Italian cinema, who got her first big role in 1936 in Amazzoni bianche.

The "sweetheart" wife-and-mother type was a very popular archetype in Italian Fascist-era film. Balbo may want to go for more glamorous types, but the most popular "girl next door" actresses of the period are Maria Denis (first big role 1934, in Seconda B), Assia Noris (daughter of an aristocratic Russian refugee), Alida Valli (OTL best known in the US for The Paradine Case, first big Italian role in 1938 in Mille lire a mese), and Mariella Lotti (the youngest, born 1921, more a star of the 1940's, another costume-epic specialist).

Other noteworthy female names from the 1930's and early 1940's: Anna Magnani (yes, she acted in the Fascist era), Dria Paola, Caterina Boratto, Vivi Gloi, Vera Carmi, Maria Mercader, Marina Berti, Lilia Silvi, Carla Del Poggio, Irasema Dilian, Adriana Benetti, Valentina Cortese, Loredana, Bianca Della Corte, Clara Calamai, Elli Parvo, and two actresses who had romantic relationships with Fascist honchos, Doris Duranti (mistress of Alessandro Pavolini) and Luisa Ferida (lover of Osvaldo Valenti). A minor actress of the period is Miria di San Servolo - more commonly known as Maria Petacci, sister of Clara Petacci.

(Do you plan to do anything with Claretta, by the way? I can't find anything right off on when she became Mussolini's mistress, but it might have been as late as 1938, which means it wouldn't have happened with the POD in 1937. She was from an upper-class Roman family and quite the dark beauty, so Balbo probably knew her. If no romantic relationship with Mussolini, does Balbo try his luck with her?)

[joea64]

Vichy France can play a more big role in Nazis side without Italy?
Maybe Laval can have fear for Tunisia and Morocco and ask to Hitler to send troops (Afrika korps).
Or when Germand invade Italy, Vichy France invade Lybia ("Is a stab in the Back",said President Roosevelt) and maybe Sardinia.
Italians and British forces from Egypt reject the French fascists,but Hitler send in Help the Afrika korps.

If the Fall of France proceeds more or less in this TL as in OTL, and if the British wreck the French fleet at Mers-el-Kebir as they did OTL, I see the possibility of Vichy France joining the Nazi side outright. That would set up an alternate North African campaign with that great Balbo/Monty commemorative postage stamp you put up earlier today. Assuming the U.S. enters the war more or less on the OTL schedule (depending on what Japan gets up to - the Pacific theater hasn't been significantly butterflied yet AFAIK), Operation Torch's analogue would involve a lot more, and a lot fiercer, fighting with Vichy and supporting German forces (OTL there were some pretty sharp clashes, including one of the last battleship-to-battleship duels between the French Jean Bart and the American Massachusetts.)

And speaking of, a couple of random thoughts on Italian armed forces in this world's WWII:

- Taranto won't happen, at least not as a British raid (might be a Vichy French/German attack, though), so Pearl Harbor, if it happens TTL, will be the first operation of its kind.

- I should expect that, while the Italian Air Force will be the glamor service of this war, Italian frogmen will still have plenty of opportunities to shine (maybe some of them sneak into that Norwegian fjord to try their hand at sinking the Tirpitz?)

- Assuming the pro-German regime in Yugoslavia stays in power, they might join the attack on Italy, so possibly heavy fighting in the eastern regions between Trieste and Venice.

[lounge60]

Maybe Hungary can be an role in Italian invasion?

[Shadow Knight]

I'm actually curious as to why Germany would bother with a neutral Italy at all. Aside from additional fortifying of the border and trading coal to Italy Germany might as well ignore them. With no Mussolini starting things in the Balklans and Africa Germany will not be as stretched which will be a huge deterrant to a rational neutral Italy I'd imagine.

[joea64]

I'm actually curious as to why Germany would bother with a neutral Italy at all. Aside from additional fortifying of the border and trading coal to Italy Germany might as well ignore them. With no Mussolini starting things in the Balklans and Africa Germany will not be as stretched which will be a huge deterrant to a rational neutral Italy I'd imagine.

It seems to me that you're assuming that Hitler would behave rationally when it comes to Italy, which I don't believe to be the case. Ideologically, Hitler would see Balboist Italy as the rankest sort of betrayal of the ideals of his friend Mussolini, and he'd take Balbo's open anti-Nazism and his vehement, not to say strident, opposition to anti-Semitism as direct challenges. ESPECIALLY the Jewish question. I think Hitler would just plain go into hysterics over Balbo's Jewish policy. (OTL, recently published diaries written by Mussolini's mistress Clara Petacci reveal that by the late 1930's, Mussolini was actually much closer to Hitler on racial viewpoints than has previously been supposed, in particular, the Duce had become an anti-Semite.) I agree that Balbo wouldn't go out looking for a fight with Germany, but he wouldn't be going out of his way to do any favors to the Third Reich either; and I really don't think Hitler would stand for very long having a rival, strong authoritarian regime on his southern border once war broke out.

[joea64]

You know, it just hit me.

Italo Balbo is controversial in this TL in the same way Napoleon Balbo is controversial in our TL. Many people consider Napoleon to be a tyrant and a murderer, but many others consider him to be one of the greatest men of his time. How else, after all, would Bonaparte be entombed in a magnificent building in the heart of Paris, or have wargames named after him published to this very day (I bought "Napoleon: Total War" yesterday)? Try to imagine somebody trying to market a "Hitler: Total War" or "Stalin: Total War" title. Napoleon OTL, and Balbo TTL, both carry auras of heroism, glamour and glory, and both have genuine and monumental accomplishments to set against the darker pages of their biographies. And both are Italian. What IS it about Italian autocrats? :)

[CCA]

Allow me to be the first to extend most sincere congratulations to Geekhis Khan for his well deserved win on the Turtledoves! This timeline is well-researched, well-writed by an incredibly humble, talented and responsive author.

Well done again :D

Looking forward to some more episodes :)

[Geekhis Khan]

Allow me to be the first to extend most sincere congratulations to Geekhis Khan for his well deserved win on the Turtledoves! This timeline is well-researched, well-writed by an incredibly humble, talented and responsive author.

Well done again :D

Looking forward to some more episodes :)

Thank you, CCA, I am truly humbled to have received the nom, none the less the win. (I'm further humbled to be up for the Superlative too, but talk about Big Leagues; going up against Lands of Red and Gold, Look to the West, and A World of Laughter, a World of Tears I'll be stunned to get the bronze there. ;))

As I said on the poll post, your TL was neck-and-neck the whole time. I only won by a very small margin. If that butterfly in Saskatchewan had flapped left rather than right you'd be placing the T'Dove on your virtual mantle. Hell of a show, mate, hell of a show.

And despite what Glen says (:p) I feel we're sharing this year's Best New After-1900 TD.

I urge anyone who hasn't real Chiang Goes to Germany to do so at his/her earliest opportunity. It's a brilliant TL and I'm humbled to have even been up against it.



Thanks to everyone who's read Viva Balbo, commented, contributed to the discussion, and voted on its behalf. I'm honestly and truly honored by your support and appreciation.

Thank you all,

GK...

[joea64]

I voted for "Viva Balbo!" myself, but it was a tougher decision than it seems, because I enjoy CCA's Axis China timeline so much that I'm subscribed to it too. Too bad there's no "tie" option, and congratulations!

[joea64]

An intriguing sidebar: take a look at the ongoing thread "What if the Soviets came up with the Nazi salute?" http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=150675

Balbo might want to think about modifying the Roman salute sufficiently so that it's not so easily confusable with the Nazi salute; after all, the two do look identical at first glance. Then again, he could just accuse Hitler of stealing the Roman salute and demand big copyright payments. :D

[Geekhis Khan]

An intriguing sidebar: take a look at the ongoing thread "What if the Soviets came up with the Nazi salute?" http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=150675

Balbo might want to think about modifying the Roman salute sufficiently so that it's not so easily confusable with the Nazi salute; after all, the two do look identical at first glance. Then again, he could just accuse Hitler of stealing the Roman salute and demand big copyright payments. :D

Interesting thread!

As to the Roman Salute, tough call. Pro-salute arguments: Roman salute, We Did it First, OTL Balbo never had any problem with the salute. Anti-salute arguments: Those Wacky Nazis, Starace (political enemy) was a big proponent of it and other "Romanita". I'll have to noodle that one over.

[Kitiem3000]

Awesome Timeline.

[Geekhis Khan]

The precarious Triumvirate faced its first major external challenge in the fall of 1938...from Germany. With the dust from the Anschluss still settling, Hitler had turned his eyes towards Czechoslovakia—specifically the Sudetenland and it's large German minority. [...] While Balbo seethed and chomped at the bit over what he saw as continued German aggression, the rules of the Triumvirate made it very clear that foreign matters were in the purview of Foreign Minister Grandi. [...]

Like Balbo, Grandi was unsettled by Hitler's sudden wave of aggression. In the span of a few years he'd rebuilt the military in strict violation of Versailles, reoccupied the Rhineland, reclaimed the Saar valley, annexed Austria, and was making his intentions on the Sudetenland and the Danzig Corridor quite clear. However, the diplomatic situation was complicated by Anglo-French hesitation for war and the state of the Italian military. While the military was impressive on paper and in demonstrations, the Triumvirs were becoming more and more aware of its limitations, particularly in the face of its slow and disorganized mobilization during the Austrian Crisis. The continuing intervention in Spain furthermore demonstrated the speed and mobility of the German Condor Legion when compared to the more conservative and infantry-dominated Italian Volunteer Corps.

The conservative Grandi questioned whether Italy was capable of a one-on-one war with the Nazi state. Balbo, of course, pushed for a show of force even at risk of war. An editorial from the Padano read "t is better we should fight them now while we are less prepared and they are least prepared than to fight when we are more prepared but they are most prepared," a statement that mirrors Balbo's own thoughts on the matter. Farinacci, of course, favored a return to the Axis, predicting a rising Germany as a powerful and unstoppable force, and a natural ideological partner to the Fascist state. [...]

While Balbo fumed at his relative impotence on the international stage, Grandi began a multinational tour, meeting with diplomats and world leaders. Grandi's meetings with British and French diplomats left him little reason to expect a united front against Germany. Any hopes he privately maintained for a renewed Stresse Front proved ephemeral as antiwar pressures in the UK and the Republic put both Chamberlain and Daladier into a more conciliatory mindset. In a short meeting with Hitler and von Ribbentrop, however, Grandi was struck both by their seeming willingness to settle the issue peaceably (and willingness to end all future territorial claims with the Sudeten) and their unshakable determination to incorporate the Sudetenland. While hindsight would prove the former a diplomatic facade, Grandi, facing the option of fighting Germany virtually alone (aided only by Czechoslovakia and maybe Poland) eventually caved to Hitler's demands. [...]

On September 14th, 1938 [1], Hitler, Chamberlain, Daladier, and De Bono signed the Munich Agreement ceding the Sudetenland to the German Reich and giving the Reich de facto control over Czechoslovakia. Soon thereafter the remaining rump state would be picked apart by her neighbors, Poland almost immediately claiming the Zaolzie border region, Hungary claiming Carpathian Ruthenia and the lower parts of Slovakia shortly thereafter, and finally Germany occupying the whole of Czech territory as the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia with the rump Slovakia as a satellite.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/M%C3%BCnchner_abkommen5%2B.svg/689px-M%C3%BCnchner_abkommen5%2B.svg.png
The Partition of Czechoslovakia following the Munich Agreement

Yet in the aftermath of the agreement its principle architects were basking in the temporary illusion of "peace in our time," as Chamberlain famously put it. Grandi, who'd been seen as a principle orchestrator of the agreement (though its terms were effectively dictated by Germany and nearly indistinguishable from an earlier German proposal), was hailed as a peacemaker and diplomat at home and abroad [2]. Farinacci praised the agreement. The king invited Grandi to a private lunch and rumors began to spread that this was the first step towards an eventual appointment as true Capo de Governa.

Balbo, meanwhile, publicly denounced the agreement as "a sell-out" and a "betrayal". In a series of public and impolitic interviews he spoke out against the measure. In an act of self-defense, the Fascist Grand Council threatened him with censure if he didn't quit these "gross criticisms". Afterwards Balbo was more restrained and politic in his speeches, though never completely dropped his overt disappointment with the Munich Agreement, nor with his growing alarm at the resurgent Reich.

In one of the most infamous of these latter-day interviews Time Magazine asked him of his thoughts on Munich. He replied, famously, "I'm afraid I have little I can say on foreign affairs at the moment. Such matters mean little to me anyway. Instead, let us talk about art...I am writing an Opera, you know? I call it "The Ogre", a fantasy piece set in a small medieval village that is being harassed by a tiny ogre. The ogre has an insatiable appetite for human flesh and demands that the village give him a young virgin to eat. Our hero, a manly baritone, refuses to allow such a travesty and urges his fellow townsmen to unite together to kill the ogre while he is small. But the village dreamer, a tenor – a castratti! – he convinces the town that greater bloodshed can be avoided if only they give up but a single virgin.

"Needless to say," he continues, "the ogre's hunger is sated for but a few days when he returns, slightly larger, again demanding a virgin. Again the baritone urges they fight the ogre before he grows larger, but again the tenor urges them to give up a virgin to save the village the burden of fighting. This cycle continues again and again until to ogre is so large, so strong and mighty, that by the time the townsmen agree to fight, the ogre is five times his original size and able to easily kill and eat them all."

The infamous "ogre" speech caused an uproar not just in Italy but around the world. Hitler reportedly objected to the suggestion that he was an ogre while Chamberlain, Daladier, and even Grandi each assumed the "castratti" character to be directed at himself.

[I]A Brief History of the Twentieth Century, by Dr. Ezra R. Manheim, University of Stuttgart

************************************************

Note a piè di pagina:

1 – A couple weeks earlier than OTL due to Hitler's slightly accelerated schedule owing to Rome's internal troubles.

2 – ATL De Bono and Grandi reluctantly fill the shoes of Mussolini and Ciano OTL. ATL both had reservations about this agreement, but did not want to risk going to war with Germany alone, making the ATL agreement more of a cave from a position of weakness than OTL's act of Magnificent Bastardry by Mussolini and Ciano.

[Geekhis Khan]

Photoshop Challenge!!

If anyone has the time or interest I'd love to see the following famous image from the OTL Munich Agreement photoshopped with De Bono and Grandi there instead of Mussolini and Ciano:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R69173%2C_M%C3%BCnchener_Abkommen%2C_Staatschefs.j pg
Link: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R69173%2C_M%C3%BCnchener_Abkommen%2C_Staatschefs.j pg


Any takers? :cool:

[maverick]

If anyone has the time or interest I'd love to see the following famous image from the OTL Munich Agreement photoshopped with De Bono and Grandi there instead of Mussolini and Ciano:

Mussolini doesn't look too happy...

In one of the most infamous of these latter-day interviews Time Magazine asked him of his thoughts on Munich. He replied, famously, "I'm afraid I have little I can say on foreign affairs at the moment. Such matters mean little to me anyway. Instead, let us talk about art...I am writing an Opera, you know? I call it "The Ogre", a fantasy piece set in a small medieval village that is being harassed by a tiny ogre. The ogre has an insatiable appetite for human flesh and demands that the village give him a young virgin to eat. Our hero, a manly baritone, refuses to allow such a travesty and urges his fellow townsmen to unite together to kill the ogre while he is small. But the village dreamer, a tenor – a castratti! – he convinces the town that greater bloodshed can be avoided if only they give up but a single virgin.

"Needless to say," he continues, "the ogre's hunger is sated for but a few days when he returns, slightly larger, again demanding a virgin. Again the baritone urges they fight the ogre before he grows larger, but again the tenor urges them to give up a virgin to save the village the burden of fighting. This cycle continues again and again until to ogre is so large, so strong and mighty, that by the time the townsmen agree to fight, the ogre is five times his original size and able to easily kill and eat them all."

The infamous "ogre" speech caused an uproar not just in Italy but around the world. Hitler reportedly objected to the suggestion that he was an ogre while Chamberlain, Daladier, and even Grandi each assumed the "castratti" character to be directed at himself.
:D

Awesome story, did you come up with it yourself? :cool:

[joea64]

Heh heh heh. :D Allegory much on Balbo's part? Considering what you said earlier, I think it fairly obvious that the "castrato" is Neville Chamberlain. Our hero, by this point, could hardly make his anti-Nazi feelings more obvious if he were to parade up and down on one of Rome's main drags with a sandwich board proclaiming "HITLER IS THE ANTICHRIST!" :D (I do hope that when he becomes Duce - OK, Capo del Goberno - he'll do what he can to get the Pope to man up.)

[joea64]

BTW, Kristallnacht is coming up, if it hasn't been butterflied. How much hay can Balbo make out of that?

[Geekhis Khan]

Awesome story, did you come up with it yourself? :cool:

Yes I did, and thanks! :)

Heh heh heh. :D Allegory much on Balbo's part? Considering what you said earlier, I think it fairly obvious that the "castrato" is Neville Chamberlain. Our hero, by this point, could hardly make his anti-Nazi feelings more obvious if he were to parade up and down on one of Rome's main drags with a sandwich board proclaiming "HITLER IS THE ANTICHRIST!" :D (I do hope that when he becomes Duce - OK, Capo del Goberno - he'll do what he can to get the Pope to man up.)

At present he's certainly making it clear.

BTW, Kristallnacht is coming up, if it hasn't been butterflied. How much hay can Balbo make out of that?

Oh yes, kristallnacht...

[Greenlanterncorps]

Things are getting bad and Germany is looking at the Polish Corridor.

The question is who will be in charge in Rome when Hitler moves? And will Italy join in the war right away?

Also, what about all those Germans in South Tyrol?

Not to mention, what is the state of Italy's armed forces? The Mediterranean is going to be an Allied lake, but what about the Army and the Regia Aeronautica?

[Geekhis Khan]

Things are getting bad and Germany is looking at the Polish Corridor.

The question is who will be in charge in Rome when Hitler moves? And will Italy join in the war right away?

Also, what about all those Germans in South Tyrol?

Not to mention, what is the state of Italy's armed forces? The Mediterranean is going to be an Allied lake, but what about the Army and the Regia Aeronautica?

All in good time, GL... ;)

[joea64]

At this point, IIRC, Balbo isn't directly in charge of the Air Force, so his ability to get that service ready for war is limited. However, he still has a lot of friends and influence in the Regia Aeronautica, so I make no doubt they're doing the best they can. The Army is a bigger question mark. I think that the Marshal is going to have only a limited time to make what preparations he can when he actually does become Capo del Governo (I'm betting the King calls on him to form a government around the time of the Germans' offensive into the West, whenever it happens TTL).

For that reason, I don't expect Italy to join the war immediately. What I think is that, as German intentions toward Poland become clearer, the position of Farinacci and his clique, and of that of Grandi and the appeasers, will weaken and the balance will begin to swing decisively toward Balbo's faction. Poland may not be the tipping point, but when the Wehrmacht storms into the Low Countries and France, it'll be Balbo's time.

[Greenlanterncorps]

Yeah right, make us wait. I intend to take this with all the grace of my four-year-old when she has stayed up too late...

[joea64]

Revising and extending my earlier speculation:

While you didn't say so, probably because it'd be getting ahead of the story, I expect the German devouring of rump-Czechoslovakia to have as much of an explosive impact on the Italians as it did on the British and French OTL. It was after Hitler's troops rolled into Prague that London and Paris finally made up their mind to resist the next German attempt at expansion, no matter what. Rome is in a more delicate position, not least because there's a strong faction that's actively pro-Nazi (and by the way, I think Farinacci is going to attempt a coup, possibly with German help, when it looks like Balbo's about to attain state power, and flee to the Reich when that coup attempt fails), but the Czechoslovak fiasco will certainly strengthen Balbo's hand. As I said before, I don't expect Italy to dive headfirst into the war when Germany attacks Poland; I do expect a deep freeze in relations. Again, the Fall of France will probably, IMO, be what pushes Italy over the edge into war and alliance with Britain. (A Regia Aeronautica expeditionary force to help the RAF in the Battle of Britain? OTL Musso did send planes to help the Luftwaffe, but they didn't make a very impressive showing.) All depends on when Balbo becomes Duce - yes, yes, Marshal, I know you don't like being called that...

Kristallnacht, or its TTL analogue; it'd be kind of cool to see Balbo leading a huge demonstration in Rome, marching at the head of his loyal Blackshirts, Jewish delegations from across Italy, and thousands of other Italian citizens to the gates of the German Embassy to register their protest. It'd make the Grand Council squawk, Grandi and De Bono groan, and Farinacci turn puce, but it'd be the sort of grand gesture mixing theatricality and sincerity that I feel sure he'd go for...

Ferrara is going to be a major objective, for political reasons, for Hitler and Farinacci during the invasion. If the Wikipedia map is accurate, it's more or less on the border between Lombardy and Romagna.

[joea64]

Further thoughts to my posts on film last Friday:

On thinking about it more, it'd be interesting to see how Federico Fellini gets along in latter-day (1950's/1960's) Balboist Italy. (I specify those decades, since Balbo will be 60 in 1956 - 70 in 1966 - and presumably still vigorous and in control throughout the 1950's (if you don't have him retire soon after WWII as Lounge suggested last week). Anyway, how much freedom Fellini has to make his films will be an interesting readout on how far Balbo goes to liberalize Italian society postwar. La Dolce Vita, or its TTL analogue, will be especially interesting; I see the Fascist old guard kicking up a huge fuss, with personal intervention by the Duce possibly necessary to get the project going. (BTW, Anita Ekberg was born in 1931, so if she goes into acting TTL, she'll be available as a muse for Fellini.)

Franco Zeffirelli (b. 1923) is 15 in 1938. With the big POD being in 1938, his early life will have gone pretty much as OTL, particularly his rearing by the British expat community in Florence. The TTL semi-autobiographical film will be called, naturally, Tea with Balbo. :) His wartime career will be interesting; as opposed to OTL, he'll probably join the Italian Army TTL and fight on the Lombardy front (dunno how far the Wehrmact will penetrate into Italy; I had this idea for the TTL version of Enemy at the Gates being about the vicious battle for Florence...) If the British send an expeditionary force, he can become an interpreter for them TTL, too.

Never have followed Sergio Leone that closely, but I don't think his career would diverge too much from OTL, especially if Balbo likes Westerns!

Goddesses of OTL postwar Italian cinema who could make it big TTL too:

Silvana Pampanini (b. 1925)
Sophia Loren (b. 1934)
Gina Lollobrigida (b. 1927)
Lucia Bose (b. 1931)
Gianna Maria Canale (b. 1927)
Isa Barzizza (b. 1929)

I'm not sure if Claudia Cardinale (b. 1938) makes it under the butterfly cutoff date. She was born in Tunis (at that time under French colonial rule), which is presumably outside the butterfly range at that early point, so I rather hope she does. :) Prewar French actresses who could make their way as refugees to Italy are Arletty, Danielle Darrieux and Edwige Feuillere.