BENITO MUSSOLINI TELEGRAM TO HITLER REFERENCING THE JULY 20 WOLF'S LAIR BOMBING

BENITO MUSSOLINI TELEGRAM TO HITLER REFERENCING THE JULY 20 WOLF'S LAIR BOMBING
Excellent content typed document signed 'MUSSOLINI' in type, 1p. 4to., [n.p., but likely Salo, Italy], July 30, 1944, the text of a telegram sent the day after Mussolini's 61st birthday to his friend and admirer, ADOLF HITLER. This text, on a form headed: 'Il Duce del Fascismo Capo del Governo', was likely given to Mussolini for proofing prior to transmission to Berlin. It is accompanied by a copy of Mussolini's original handwritten and signed copy of the same message on an identical form, which was likely filed with this typed proof. He writes in full: 'As always particularly welcome, I received your wishes on the day of my birth and they are appreciated especially because they are also [directed] to the Italian people who are resolved to resume fighting alongside your valiant soldiers. The alternating vicissitudes of a war like the present of proportions never seen in history, do not change my deep conviction, especially strengthened after having found that the supreme providence protects your life and therefore the future of your people. Please, Fuhrer, welcome my cordial comradely greetings. MUSSOLINI'. Staple holes at upper left, else fine. Of course, Mussolini's reference to 'supreme providence' protecting Hitler's life related to the bomb attempt on Hitler's life at his headquarters in Rastenburg ten days earlier. Mussolini was given a tour of the wrecked meeting room by Hitler himself only four hours after the failed assassination attempt. At this point, Mussolini's very survival depended on Hitler: on July 26, 1943 he was ousted and placed under arrest. Following his rescue by Skorzeny, he was put in charge of a puppet regime in northern Italy, the Italian Social Republic, informally known as the Salo Republic.