"HIT IN NOSE BUT WOUND 'IS NOT SERIOUS'"

MUSSOLINI SHOT BY 50 YEAR OLD BRITISH WOMAN

Paris, France (JFK+50) On the morning of April 7, 1926, an attempt on the life of Benito Mussolini was made by a 50 year old British subject named Violet Albina Gibson.

The Premier was shot about 1:15 a.m. as he was departing the Place de Capitole.  He was shot at point-blank range in the nostrils, but Dr. Giuseppe Bastianelli* says that the wound "is not serious."

JFK+50 NOTE

There were four assassination attempts on Mussolini between 1922 & 1943.  This one is said to be the most serious although the Premier was "grazed" by the bullet.

*Giuseppe Bastianelli (1862-1959) was born in Rome, Italy & became a physician & zoologist who worked on malaria & was the personal doctor of Pope Benedict XV.

SOURCE

"Mussolini Is Shot Through Nose By Woman:  Incident Inflames Fascists," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 7, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

G. Bastianelli

Welcome Collection

UK

"I WILL PLACE BENITO MUSSOLINI UPON THE PILLORY"

FORMER MUSSOLINI AIDE TERRIFIED BY THREATS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH

Nice, France (JFK+50) On February 28, 1926, The Sunday Star reports that General Cesare Rossi*, former aide of Benito Mussolini, is "terrified" by letters he has received threatening him with physical violence and death.

The General is reported as saying...

"I will place Benito Mussolini upon the pillory.  I had lots of admiration for Mussolini once, but discovered he was false."

*Cesare Rossi (1887-1967) was born in Pescia, Italy & became a Fascist leader who broke with Mussolini & lived in exile, or under arrest before his capture by the Allies in 1943.

SOURCE

"Rossi Terrified; Hiding In France," The Sunday Star, February 28, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Benito Mussolini

CC 1,0 UPD

"THE 'FASCISTI' SALUTE' IS NOW REQUIRED"

NO MORE HANDSHAKING OR HAT TIPPING IN ITALY

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On December 9, 1925, The Evening Star reports "handshaking and hat-tipping have been officially abolished throughout Italy."

All public employees as well as school children will be required to "greet their superiors and each other with...an upraised (fascisti) salute as was the practice in ancient Rome."

Premier Benito Mussolini sees this requirement as "visible evidence" that all of Italy "is now Fascist" and will prove "conducive to better work."

JFK+50 NOTE

Art historians trace the Fascist salute to the 1784 painting (see below) by Jacques-Louis David.  The salute (right arm fully extended forward & upward with palm facing downward, fingers touching) was soon adopted in Nazi Germany with the spoken words added 'Heil Hitler!'

SOURCE

"Mussolini Taboos Handshaking and Doffing of Hats," The Evening Star, December 9, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Oath of the Horatii"

1784

by Jacques-Louis David

CC-BY-SA-4.0

"FIRST OF 4 UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS ON EL DUCE"

ATTEMPT ON LIFE OF MUSSOLINI FOILED

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On November 4, 1925, an assassination plot against Prime Minister Benito Mussolini was foiled as Tito Zaniboni* was arrested before the assassination could be carried out.

Zaniboni, former Socialist deputy, was positioned in a hotel with a view of Palazzo Chigi** where the prime minister was about to deliver a balcony speech.

Some historians believe that the plot was part of a plan by the Mussolini administration to consolidate power leading to passage of laws later that year suppressing political opposition.

JFK+50 NOTE

This was the first of four failed attempts on Mussolini's life between Nov 4, 1925 and Oct 31, 1926.

*Tito Zaniboni, a member of the Italian parliament, received a 30 year prison term for attempting to kill Mussolini, but he was released in 1943.

**Pilazzo Chigi is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Italy.  Construction began in 1578 & has been the seat of government since 1961.

SOURCES

"Assassination attempts on Benito Mussolini," www.wikipedia.org/

"Mussolini's Four Would-be Assassins:  Emergency Politics and the Consolidation of Fascist Power," by Benedetta Luciana Carnaghi, September 8, 2021,  Journal of Modern Italian Studies (2022), www.tandfonline.com/

Benito Mussolini

from Adolf Dresler's

"Mussolini als Journalist"

1939

"MILITANT & CONTROVERSIAL IN TONE"

MUSSOLINI, FOUNDER OF FASCISM, WRITES HISTORY OF MOVEMENT

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On July 29, 1925, Associated Press reports that Italian dictator Benito Mussolini* "is now undertaking the task of incorporating his achievements by becoming the interpreter and historian" of Fascism**.

Mussolini's writings appear in the political monthly 'Gerarchia.'  AP describes the articles as "militant and controversial in tone."

*Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Predappio, Italy & was Prime Minister/dictator of Italy 1922-1945.  BM founded the Nationalist Fascist Party and inspired the international spread of fascism.

**fascism is a far right authoritarian and ultra-national political ideology characterized by extreme nationality, dictatorial power & suppression of opposition as well as a strong regimented society & economy.

SOURCE

"Mussolini Writes History Of Facism," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 29, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Benito Mussolini

Photo by Luce (1939)

PD

"SUFFERED ATTACK OF INFLUENZA & DIGESTIVE DISEASE"

MUSSOLINI SERIOUSLY ILL TURNS OVER HELM OF STATE TO FRIEND

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On March 3, 1925, The Evening Star reports Premier Benito Mussolini* of Italy has turned over "the helm of the...state to his friend Federazzoni" due to a "very serious illness."

Hiram K. Moderwell says the Premier "suffered an attack of influenza" in mid-February and had "a chronic disease that affected his digestive organs."

An operation was performed Tuesday.

*Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Predappio, Italy & was dictator of Fascist Italy 1922-1943.  BM served in the Italian army in WWI, founded the National Fascist Party & established a police state in Italy 1925-1927.

JFK+50 NOTE

This news report originated via cable to The Evening Star and The Chicago Daily News Company (March 2 by mail March 3, 1925)

On March 17, 1925, The New York Times reports that Mussolini had an ulcer of the duodenum (small intestine) accompanied by hemorrhaging, "a very grave illness."

SOURCES

"Mussolini Fought Off A Very Grave Illness," The New York Times, March 17, 1925, www.nytimes.com/

"Mussolini Is Very Seriously Ill; Close Friend Takes Over Head of State," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 3, 1925, 

 

 

Portrait of Benito Mussolini

by Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe

Public Domain

"GOVERNMENT HAS STRENGTH TO DESTROY OPPOSITION"

MUSSOLINI THROWS PARLIAMENT INTO VOLLEYS OF APPLAUSE

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On January 4, 1925, The Sunday Star reports that yesterday Premier Benito Mussolini*, speaking to the Chamber of Deputies, "staged a dramatic scene which threw the chamber into volleys of applause."

El Duce declared that "the government had the strength to destroy the aventine** opposition--those deputies who have refused to participate in the work of the Parliament."

The Premier indicated, however, Facists would "keep within the law."

*Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Dovia di Predappio, Italy & served as prime minister of Italy 1922-1943 & as Duce of the Italian Social Republic, 1943-1945.  BM transformed Italy into a fascist dictatorship & joined the Axis powers in 1937.

**aventine...one of the 7 hills on which the city of Rome was built.

SOURCE

"Mussolini Threatens enemies With Destruction in 48 Hours," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., January 4, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Benito Mussolini in the 1920s

www.biography.com/

2016

"GERMANY IS PACIFIST BECAUSE SHE CANNOT WAGE WAR"

ITALIAN PREMIER SAYS FALL OF GERMAN EMPIRE LEFT AN ACHING VOID

Rome, Italy (JFK+50) On November 13, 1923, The Evening Star gives Italian premier Benito Mussolini's* opinion "on the present situation in Germany."

The Premier is quoted from the preface of a recent book by R. Shuster...

"The fall of the (German) empire left an aching void.  Berlin secretly aspires to a return of the glistening capital of the empire."

Mussolini is also quoted as adding...

"(Germany) has no army and therefore is pacifist** because she cannot wage war."

*Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Predappio, Italy & founded the National Fascist Party.  BM served as Prime Minister of Italy 1922-1943 & as Duce of the Italian Social Republic 1943-1945.

**pacifist...belief that war & violence are unjustifiable. 

SOURCE

"Mussolini Sees Germans Aching For Kaiser Rule," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 13, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Benito Mussolini

1920s

www.biography.com/

"OUR ONLY IDEAL IS THE MAXIMUM GREATNESS OF ITALY"

MUSSOLINI SAYS NATIONAL EXPANSION IS  "ABSOLUTE NECESSITY"

Cremona, Italy (JFK+50) On September 7, 1920, Benito Mussolini* gave a speech here in Cremona** disclaiming interest in imperialism but calling for "the absolute necessity of national expansion."

Il Duce gave instructions to his audience at the outset of his speech "not to interrupt...until the end."  He said...

"We are not for war, but we will not hesitate to fire upon those that attack us."

Mussolini concluded with these words...

"Now is the time for...a healthy political activity that brings national life back to its proper place free from the burden of tassels and statutes.

Because our only ideal is the maximum greatness of Italy."

Benito Mussolini received a "great ovation" with shouts of "Long live Italy," and "Long live Mussolini." 

*Benito Amilcare Andrewa Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Predappio, Italy. BAAM became a socialist politician & journalist at the Avanti newspaper.  He served in the Royal Italian Army in WWI.  He founded the National Fascist Party & served as Italy's Prime Minister 1922-1943, & as Duce of the Italian Socialist Republic 1943-1945.

**Cremona is located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy & situated on the left bank of the Po River.  It is the capital of the province of Cremona & known for its musical history & traditions.

SOURCE

"Speech in Cremona, September 7, 1920," by Benito Mussolini, Biblioteca Fascista, March 3, 2012, www.bibliotecafascista.blogspot.com/  

Benito Mussolini

1920  

 

IL DUCE & HIS MISTRESS ARE EXECUTED

MUSSOLINI FACES FIRING SQUAD

Milan, Italy (JFK+50) On April 28, 1945, Benito Mussolini*, Prime Minister of Italy and his mistress, Clara Petacci**, were shot dead by a firing squad after a failed attempt to escape to Switzerland.  

Partisan border guards learned Mussolini's identity despite an attempt to disguise himself as a German airman. He and Clara were traveling with a convoy of Italian Social Republic members.

After they were shot dead, the couple's bodies were transported to a gas station here in Milan where they were hung upside down for public viewing and ridicule.

*Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Dovia di Predappio, the son of a revolutionary socialist.  He lived in Switzerland in 1902 where he was active in the Italian socialist movement.  BM attended the University of Lausanne in 1904.  He was Prime Minister of Italy from 1922 to 1943.

**Clara Pettaci (1912-1945) was born in Rome.  Her father was the primary physician of Pope Pius XI.  CP had a long-time affair with the Italian dictator while he was married.

Benito Mussolini in 1944

Deutsches Bunds archiv

ITALIAN DICTATOR MEETS HIS FATE

MUSSOLINI KILLED BY PARTISANS

Milan, Italy (JFK+50) On April 28, 1945, Benito Mussolini*, Prime Minister of Italy and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were shot dead by a partisan firing squad after the fugitives attempted escape to Switzerland.  

Border guards, who were partisans, discovered Mussolini's identity despite his attempt to disguise himself as a German airman.  After they were shot dead, the couple's bodies were transported to a gas station here in Milan where they were hung upside down for public viewing and ridicule.

Marking the anniversary of the event in 2015, one of the celebrants said...

"For us, the death of Benito Mussolini amounts to murder because he was killed without a trial."

*Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (1883-1945) was born in Dovia di Predappio, the son of a revolutionary socialist.  He lived in Switzerland in 1902 where he was active in the Italian socialist movement.  BM attended the University of Lausanne in 1904.  He was Prime Minister of Italy from 1922 to 1943.

SOURCE

"Mussolini death service causes stir," ANSA General news, April 28, 2015, www.ansa.it/

Benito Mussolini in 1944

Deutsches Bunds archiv