Italy celebrates its 63rd anniversary of liberation from fascist rule today.
And one got a good history lesson in that regard.
Q: What liberation?
A: From the Germans, naturally!
Q: The Germans occupied Italy? I thought Hitler and Mussolini were pals!
A: Of course they were, but Mussolini was thrown out in 1943, remember?
Q: Mussolini was thrown out? And it took 2 years after that to end fascist rule?
A: Post ousting Mussolini, non-fascist Italians (notably the famous Vittorio Emmanuel II -- who has a square or road named after him in every place in Italy one has been to yet, by the by...) and the Allies had a grip on the south, but stuff to the north, above the mountains at Carrara was all fascist+German occupied. From late 1943 to 1945, everyday Italians, American troops, and British troops (consisting of Indian troops as well, one is informed) fought in a long bloody series of guerilla wars in mountains not 50 kms from where one lives.
Whoa :)
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