Italian invasion of France
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The Italian invasion of France, also called the Battle of the Alps, was the first major Italian engagement of World War II and the last major engagement of the Battle of France.
The Val Dora battalion of the 5th Alpini Regiment in action in the Col de Pelouse
German coal entering Italy through the Brenner Pass. The issue of Italian coal was prominent in diplomatic circles in the spring of 1940.
The situation on 4 June. Belgian, British, and French forces have been encircled near Dunkirk, while the remaining French armies take up positions to defend Paris.
Mussolini delivering his declaration of war speech, from the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia in Rome
Umberto II of Italy
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Umberto II was the last king of Italy. Umberto's reign lasted for 34 days, from 9 May 1946 until his formal deposition on 12 June 1946, although he had been the de facto head of state since 1944. Due
Italian invasion of France
…their deployment did not change prior to June 1940. These troops formed the 1st and 4th armies, which were under the command of the Italian Crown Prince Umberto of Savoy of Army Group West (Gruppo Armate Ovest). The chief of staff of Army Group West was General Emilio Battisti. The 7th Army was held in reserve at Turin…
Umberto, then the Prince of Piedmont, in 1944
Photo of Umberto, Prince of Piedmont, prior to the First World War
Prince Umberto during his visit to Chile, in 1924
Portrait by Philip de László, 1928