Mussolini's Secret Bunker: Italian Fascist Dictator's WWII Hideout

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Tue Jun 2, 2020, 02:14 PM - Edit history (3)

From 1922 to 1943 when Allied troops took Sicily nearing the end of World War II and his power began to wane, Benito Mussolini ruled Italy as its fascist dictator.

As Italy suffered defeats throughout the war and as the Allied forces pushed ever closer, Mussolini became increasingly paranoid, fearing that the Royal Air Force, “was planning to launch an audacious raid on his headquarters in an attempt to kill him and knock Italy out of the war.”

- His fears were well founded – the RAF had indeed drawn up a plan to launch a bombing raid on the palazzo, as well as his private residence in Rome, Villa Torlonia, using the 617 Squadron of Dambusters fame.-

In response to the encroaching forces, Mussolini constructed a series of fortified bunkers. One, buried beneath Mussolini’s HQ in Rome, was discovered recently during maintenance; it will be opened to the public...(Ed. Smithsonian Magazine, 2013).
More, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/italian-dictator-mussolinis-secret-bunker-unearthed-8744684/

- Allied Invasion of Sicily, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allied_invasion_of_Sicily

- More: Mussolini's Secret Bunker- partly made of wine cellars, reached by descending many steps: fitted with blast doors; ventilation systems; anti-gas chamber; protective gas masks and gear; telephones- all in in a dark and damp windowless underground area of pathways and alcoves.




Hitler, 'Der Fuhrer' and Mussolini, 'll Duce', (the Leader) in Munich, Germany, June 1940.

[dameatball]

1. Interesting post. I had never seen that. I wouldn't like that place for long..

[appalachiablue]

2. It would bother me as well, esp. long term.

The British people however, endured sheltering below ground in subway tunnels, the 'London Underground' and more during the Blitz and times of air raids.



- Londoners in an air raid shelter during World War II.

More, https://www.military-history.org/articles/air-raid-shelters.htm

[appalachiablue]

3. Mussolini Towards The End:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/benito-mussolini-executed



- Nazi SS Commando Otto Skorzeny rescues Mussolini in a daring raid in Sept. 1943.

- Death of Benito Mussolini, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Benito_Mussolini

[sandensea]

4. It would never work for Cheeto

Not enough goldplate and pink marble.

[appalachiablue]

6. Ha! Mar-a-lago could work maybe

[magicguido]

5. may trump end up one day; in the depths of the earth

[CTyankee]

7. Will he and Melania end up with the same fate as Mussolini and Clara Petacci?

That sounds a bit severe...