Original Item. Only One Available. This is an interesting piece of homefront ephemera, a cardboard cutout of Benito Mussolini using the “Roman” salute. It appears as if it were meant to attach to something. A good research project.

After the 1943 Allied Victory in the North Africa Campaign, the Allies next landed in Sicily during July 1943, at which point the Italian Army was close to collapse. Rome was also the target of an Allied Bombing raid, which led to a vote of "no confidence" in Mussolini by the Grand Council, and the next day was summoned before Italian King Victor Emmanuel, and removed from his position. He was then arrested and hidden, to avoid rescue by German forces. In September 1943, the Government of Italy signed an Armistice with the Allies, which threw the country into chaos. Mussolini was later rescued by Germany, but by that point Italy had simply become a battleground for German Troops and the Italian troops that stayed loyal to the Axis alliance.

The piece measures 8½ x 5⅝” and is not double-sided. It has some wear but nothing serious. Comes ready to display.