Civil Affairs and Military Government Operations in Post-Fascist Italy

Abstract

Abstract : This monograph examines how the Allied governments planned and executed civil affairs and military government operations in Italy during World War II. Many have explored and researched the outcome following the defeat of Germany and Japan, but the circumstances with Italy are distinctive. Specifically, the application of civil affairs and military governance in Italy is an area that appears to be underexplored despite its relevance in current military operations. Reviewing the Allied preparations and assessing the challenges faced in this area allows one to derive the influence of an evolving political situation on military operations. This monograph argues that the Allies were largely unprepared for the enormity of the civil affairs mission in Italy. While the Allied governments were successful in establishing the basic education and organization for the civil affairs mission, the political pressures and conflicting strategic guidance hindered military efficiency towards the effort. The Allies conducted military governance simultaneously with military operations against German, the Allies assumed the dual role of liberator and occupier. This dual role is most recently seen in the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which makes this historical case study of even higher relevancy.