On July 25th, 1943, during the fall of Fascism, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was placed under arrest. In the night between 6th and 7th of August, he was awakened by the words “danger in sight, we need to leave” and embarked on the destroyer “Pantera” to head towards the island of La Maddalena. Immediately after disembarkation, the “Duce” was transferred by car to Villa Webber. This manor, owned by an English citizen, was suggested by Police Inspector Polito, who indicated it as the most suitable for such a delicate task. Mussolini had only access to two shabby rooms, poorly furnished, without paintings and crucifix.
“My isolation is almost absolute, the vigilance around me is always very strong and the news I receive from the outside are rare.”
“Wikipedia”
There were several plans to free the prisoner from his captivity. The most daring one, approved by Adolf Hitler, was certainly planned by Captain Skorzenj, but it failed to work thanks to the efforts of AISE (Italian Secret Services). After 20 days, on August 27th, the imprisonment of Mussolini in La Maddalena ended. This indelible page of Italian history has also been described with plenty of interesting details in his personal diary and correspondence.
“My isolation is almost absolute, the vigilance around me is always very strong and the news I receive from the outside are rare.”
“Wikipedia”
There were several plans to free the prisoner from his captivity. The most daring one, approved by Adolf Hitler, was certainly planned by Captain Skorzenj, but it failed to work thanks to the efforts of AISE (Italian Secret Services). After 20 days, on August 27th, the imprisonment of Mussolini in La Maddalena ended. This indelible page of Italian history has also been described with plenty of interesting details in his personal diary and correspondence.
Sources and Insights
www.lamaddalena.it
