By the summer of 1943, the momentum was clearly on the Allied side.

Allied armies were gaining ground everywhere, in the Soviet Union, in Italy, and in the Solomon Islands.

Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

The 20th century. Episode 410, stranded on on Plum Pudding Island.

The last time I talked about events in Italy was back in episode 390, when I told you about

the fall of Mussolini. I want to pick up that thread today,

but I also want to emphasize that the period we are in right now

is quite an eventful one,

and much is going on in the war on several fronts.

In today's episode, I'm going to tell you a bit more about Italy,

but I'm also going to reference events

and other places, some of which we've already looked at, others of which I haven't gotten to yet,

as a way of putting all these events into proper context. I may also mention a couple of other

events unrelated to the war.

It was on July 25, 1943, a Sunday at 5 p.m.

When Mussolini visited the Italian king, Vittorio Emmanueli III,

and was shocked to learn that the king was dismissing him as prime minister and replacing him with Marsha Pietro Badolio.

As Mussolini left the palace, he was taken into custody.

For his own protection, they told him.

I already described to you how many Italian cities erupted in jubilation

when the news became public,

though not everyone was pleased with the way Mussolini had been treated. Among them was the king's

...