May 24, 1940 – Villa Torlonia, Rome
Il Duce was out for his morning ride. His favorite mount had been ill this morning and he took the smaller Arabian out. ‘Roma’ was skittish today and several times Mussolini had to use his crop to rein in Roma. Suddenly from a bush immediately in front of the pair dashed a small hare. Roma reared up in shock too quickly for Mussolini to react. The fall was swift and ugly, and he lay there for almost two hours before he was found by the groom.
May 27, 1940 – Office of the Foreign Minister, Rome
The Frenchman stared over at Count Ciano casually and continued. “It is quite possible the some accommodation could be reached over Tunis and perhaps even other colonies, but Corsica is an integral part of France and...” *
Ciano interrupted, “You and your allies (looking over at Loraine) have already stopped coal shipments from German. You realize this is pushing into German hands?”
Sir Percy Lorraine looked drolly at the Foreign minister and replied “It was most regrettable that His Majesty’s navy had to impound those ships and cargo. However you understand we are at war with Germany?”
Ciano shook his head in disgust. He couldn’t stand the Englishman but for the sake of Italy he calmed himself. “Italy requires coal and oil to survive. The summer ends Mr. Ambassador and Italy needs coal!”**
Ambassador Poncet spoke in a soft tone, “Ah to speak of survival how is your father-in-law. We are all praying for his speedy recovery.”
Ciano smiled sweetly. “Il Duce is recovering and I expect him to resume his duties within the week.”
“Excellent, excellent” offered Lorraine
Ciano stood. “In fact gentlemen if you will excuse me I will convey our discussions to him at once. I am sure he will be most interest in your offers and positions.”
June 1, 1940 - Meeting of The Grand Counsel, Palazzo Venezi, Rome
Marshal De Bono sat rigid in his seat. He looked across the table at De Vecchi who smiled politely back. Dismissing the lawyer he turned to Balbo who was speaking to Ciano in a low whisper. Clearing his throat Bono spoke, “Perhaps a first-hand account of Il Duce’s health should be made? I understand my dear Count that you have just left Torlonia?”
Ciano turned to address the rump meeting. “I have been with my father-in-law and his doctors this afternoon. They have little to report. Il Duce has a high fever and continues to go in and out of consciousness. They feel he will survive and make a full recovery, but it may well be some time before he is well enough to resume his full duties.”
“Which means it is up to us to make some decisions.” Stated Balbo “The Germans appear to have trapped the British at Flanders and destroyed most of the French army in the North. I very much doubt this war will last much longer.”
“So there is no need for us to intervene.” Offered Bono
“No, I think not” replied Balbo “and if he was well I am sure Il Duce would see we can gain more by subtly than force of arms.” He turned to Ciano. “I asked our foreign minister her tonight to repeat the French offer of concession in Tunis and Algeria.”
“Algeria may be too far to press the French” offered De Vecchi “But occupation of Tunis would add nicely to the Fourth Shore***. I also think we may later press them for Corsica.”
Bono nodded “Yes Tunis would be a welcome addition, and Corsica is ours by right and blood. But there seems no need to fight for it now. Better to let the French fall away from the British then press our claims there.”
“The French” offered Ciano “seemed adamant about keeping Corsica”
Bono laughed “We will see how adamant they are when the Germans surround Paris!” All the men laughed.
Balbo spoke “I have already moved troops to the border with Tunis. As soon as our dear foreign minister presents our demands I think the French will welcome them in to keep order. Tunis is a fine harbor and the land is fertile. We can open it for settlement at once.+ In fact why doesn’t our Count go and contact the French at once?”
Bono knew a planned move when he saw it. This had been well rehearsed. For a moment he weighed the cost. An occupation of Tunisia accomplished by Ciano would shift power and it looked like Balbo was working with Ciano, who alone had direct knowledge of Il Duce’s health. This would bear watching.
*in our TL this meeting discussed the French overtures to allow Italian control over Tunis and possibly parts of Algeria (see Count Ciano’s diaries entry May 27, 1940).
**Starting in March of 1940 England gradually cut off coal supplies to Italy. Ciano wared British Charge de affair Sir Noel Charles that it would only solidify Italian German feelings of alliance – March 3, 1940
***The Fascist Italian name for the colony of Libya
+Balbo promoted the settlement of more than 20,000 Italians into Libya in the late 30s and 1940 in our TL
Il Duce was out for his morning ride. His favorite mount had been ill this morning and he took the smaller Arabian out. ‘Roma’ was skittish today and several times Mussolini had to use his crop to rein in Roma. Suddenly from a bush immediately in front of the pair dashed a small hare. Roma reared up in shock too quickly for Mussolini to react. The fall was swift and ugly, and he lay there for almost two hours before he was found by the groom.
May 27, 1940 – Office of the Foreign Minister, Rome
The Frenchman stared over at Count Ciano casually and continued. “It is quite possible the some accommodation could be reached over Tunis and perhaps even other colonies, but Corsica is an integral part of France and...” *
Ciano interrupted, “You and your allies (looking over at Loraine) have already stopped coal shipments from German. You realize this is pushing into German hands?”
Sir Percy Lorraine looked drolly at the Foreign minister and replied “It was most regrettable that His Majesty’s navy had to impound those ships and cargo. However you understand we are at war with Germany?”
Ciano shook his head in disgust. He couldn’t stand the Englishman but for the sake of Italy he calmed himself. “Italy requires coal and oil to survive. The summer ends Mr. Ambassador and Italy needs coal!”**
Ambassador Poncet spoke in a soft tone, “Ah to speak of survival how is your father-in-law. We are all praying for his speedy recovery.”
Ciano smiled sweetly. “Il Duce is recovering and I expect him to resume his duties within the week.”
“Excellent, excellent” offered Lorraine
Ciano stood. “In fact gentlemen if you will excuse me I will convey our discussions to him at once. I am sure he will be most interest in your offers and positions.”
June 1, 1940 - Meeting of The Grand Counsel, Palazzo Venezi, Rome
Marshal De Bono sat rigid in his seat. He looked across the table at De Vecchi who smiled politely back. Dismissing the lawyer he turned to Balbo who was speaking to Ciano in a low whisper. Clearing his throat Bono spoke, “Perhaps a first-hand account of Il Duce’s health should be made? I understand my dear Count that you have just left Torlonia?”
Ciano turned to address the rump meeting. “I have been with my father-in-law and his doctors this afternoon. They have little to report. Il Duce has a high fever and continues to go in and out of consciousness. They feel he will survive and make a full recovery, but it may well be some time before he is well enough to resume his full duties.”
“Which means it is up to us to make some decisions.” Stated Balbo “The Germans appear to have trapped the British at Flanders and destroyed most of the French army in the North. I very much doubt this war will last much longer.”
“So there is no need for us to intervene.” Offered Bono
“No, I think not” replied Balbo “and if he was well I am sure Il Duce would see we can gain more by subtly than force of arms.” He turned to Ciano. “I asked our foreign minister her tonight to repeat the French offer of concession in Tunis and Algeria.”
“Algeria may be too far to press the French” offered De Vecchi “But occupation of Tunis would add nicely to the Fourth Shore***. I also think we may later press them for Corsica.”
Bono nodded “Yes Tunis would be a welcome addition, and Corsica is ours by right and blood. But there seems no need to fight for it now. Better to let the French fall away from the British then press our claims there.”
“The French” offered Ciano “seemed adamant about keeping Corsica”
Bono laughed “We will see how adamant they are when the Germans surround Paris!” All the men laughed.
Balbo spoke “I have already moved troops to the border with Tunis. As soon as our dear foreign minister presents our demands I think the French will welcome them in to keep order. Tunis is a fine harbor and the land is fertile. We can open it for settlement at once.+ In fact why doesn’t our Count go and contact the French at once?”
Bono knew a planned move when he saw it. This had been well rehearsed. For a moment he weighed the cost. An occupation of Tunisia accomplished by Ciano would shift power and it looked like Balbo was working with Ciano, who alone had direct knowledge of Il Duce’s health. This would bear watching.
*in our TL this meeting discussed the French overtures to allow Italian control over Tunis and possibly parts of Algeria (see Count Ciano’s diaries entry May 27, 1940).
**Starting in March of 1940 England gradually cut off coal supplies to Italy. Ciano wared British Charge de affair Sir Noel Charles that it would only solidify Italian German feelings of alliance – March 3, 1940
***The Fascist Italian name for the colony of Libya
+Balbo promoted the settlement of more than 20,000 Italians into Libya in the late 30s and 1940 in our TL