Exactly a century after Benito Mussolini's 1922 march on Rome, which brought the fascist dictator to power,

the Brothers of Italy Party, which has its roots in the post-Second World War neo-fascist Italian social movement,

has been elected to power.

As a result, Prime Minister Maloney now leads Italy's first far-right led government since the Second World War.

I'm your host James Rogers and as we do so often on the warfare podcast, it was with these

contemporary events in mind and the fact that it is a hundred years since Mussolini's rise to power

that I wanted to dig deep into the history of fascism and war in Italy.

Now to do this I've invited Professor John Gooch onto the podcast. I've long admired John's work and it just so happens that he's got a new book out.

Mussolini's War, fascist Italy from Triumph to Collapse, 1935 to 1943, published by Penguin.

Now John is a true expert, a world leading historian on Italy and the two world wars.

He's even been honored by the Italian government for his work.

And so the end result is a master class on the rise of Mussolini

and a surprising history that may just resonate with our current times.

Hi John, welcome to the Warfare Podcast.

How you doing today?

Hi James, well, thanks, I'm doing fine and thanks for inviting me. I'm looking forward to telling my little story to you and your listeners.

Yes, well I'm very excited to have you on. I've been following your work for years. As our listeners know, I delve into the history of air power and that's where

I first stumbled across your work when I was swatting away doing my studies at university.

But today we're talking about a very different topic. We're talking about Mussolini's

Wars and it's a perfect time to have you on the podcast, as this year marks 100 years since Mussolini's

rise to power.

So can you take us back that 100 years, John, take us back to 1922?

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