Does anyone know if this policy existed in the Italian Army during world war 2? It's for a piece of fiction I'm writing and I need a reason for a male character not to be conscripted. Thanks in anticipation.
My husband is a retired marshal in the Italian Air force and knows the answer for peace time but not for when there's a war on. I've had a quick look at Italian sources on the Internet but can't find the answer there either. You are very brave to write a piece of fiction about Italy between 1940-45. Vitellino
We had this series shown on our BBC 4 TV channel back in 2014: Inspector De Luca (TV series) - Wikipedia BBC - Inspector De Luca - BBC Four "Crime series, set in Bologna during Mussolini's dictatorship, about an investigator whose honesty and uncompromising character help him solve cases." e.g. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03z82zd Unauthorised Investigation Inspector De LucaEpisode 1 of 4 At the seaside resort of Riccione in 1938 the body of a young prostitute is found on a beach, not far from Mussolini's holiday residence. The local chief of police, terrified that the news may become public, attempts to draw the matter to a swift close by charging the woman's pimp with her murder, and earns praise from Il Duce in the process. But Inspector De Luca, unconvinced that the case has been solved, continues to secretly investigate on his own. Set against the backdrop of sophisticated hotels and exclusive beach resorts in what was once considered to be the 'summer capital' of fascism, De Luca's investigation soon starts to involve aspiring politicians, high-ranking state functionaries, seductive countesses, anti-fascist journalists and some of Mussolini's own bodyguards. In Italian with English subtitles. Carte Blanche, Inspector De Luca - BBC Four Carte Blanche Inspector De LucaEpisode 2 of 4 In April 1945, having inadvertently been credited with 'saving Il Duce's life', De Luca becomes a reluctant hero and is promoted to a high-profile job in Bologna. He heads a murder investigation which will lead him to probe the private lives of the rich and powerful during the frantic final days of the fascist regime. The powers-that-be grant him carte blanche, just as long as he arrests the 'right' suspect. In Italian with English subtitles. With i.e. that step from 1938 in Episode 1 to April 1945 for episode 2. I recall watching the first one and thinking it was going to go on into a bit of fascinating detail on Italian policing during WW2 and being a bit fazed by the span on 7 years or so omitted or stepped over. It is, or was, intriguing.
Well, I just had to find out and looked on the Italy Army's website. It has a special section dealing with the Royal Army and a Decree passed on 6 June 1940 (just before the Italians declared war). Here is what I found about who was exempted: http://www.regioesercito.it/regioesercito/redoc/recl.htm Royal Decree 6 June 1940 - Italian citizens of Jewish race may not be called up for military service in peace or war; - members the families of those who fell in the Libyan, World, Ethiopian and Spanish wars and of those fallen in the fascist cause; - those who were crippled, disabled, wounded, volunteers, or holders of medals earned in the Libyan, World, Ethiopian and Spanish wars; - those who fought in the Libyan, World, Ethiopian and Spanish wars, who were awarded the military cross; - those who were mutilated, disabled, wounded in the fascist cause; - those who were enrolled in the National Fascist Party in the years 1919-20-21-22 and in the second half of 1924;a - Legionnaires of Fiume (ceded to Yugoslavia after World War 2) - those who had earned special merit, to be evaluated under the terms of article 16. So, unless you fell into one of these categories, you were conscripted. I hope that helps you, Jo.
Jo Lamb A very good friend of mine by the name of Peter Ghiringhelli once wrote a book entitled "A British boy in Facist Italy" which contained some fascinating info about life in wartime italy: A British Boy in Fascist Italy I shall contact him to make him aware of your query Ron
I fully agree with Vitellino, only sons are excluded from the 6 June 1940 decree. I would give your character's father or elder brother mutilated (a lost limb) status; that would give him grounds for exclusion. Although off topic, could I point out that Fiume wasn't ceded to Yugoslavia in 1924. On the contrary, in January 1924, Italy and Yugoslavia signed the Treaty of Rome, agreeing to the annexation of Fiume by Italy. It remained Italian until 1945 when Tito occupied it.
Wow, thanks everyone, so helpful... the book starts off in Italy during the war and is more of a romance, based on true story.
Peter, I have re-read all about Fiume- what a confusing situation - and have edited my earlier post accordingly. Jo, please let us know when your book is published, Vitellino
Do you mean this book - Amazon.com: A British Boy in Fascist Italy (9780752453439): Peter Ghringhelli: Books Thread on the book & author - A British Boy in Fascist Italy TD
