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- [RESTOCKING] WWII Italian Rifleman (Desert)
[RESTOCKING] WWII Italian Rifleman (Desert)
The Italian Empire under Benito Mussolini sought to re-establish the greatness of the Roman Empire and intended to control the entire Mediterranean as the Romans had. Mare Nostrum (Latin for “Our Sea”) was a Roman name for the Mediterranean Sea, and often used in fascist propaganda.
Italian expansion in Africa during the Second World War began with the invasion of Egypt in North Africa, and Sudan, Kenya, and British Somaliland in East Africa. Despite initial success and greatly superior numbers, they soon suffered numerous defeats, with the destruction of the Italian 10th Army in North Africa and surrender in East Africa. Italian forces would fight on in Africa, but usually as a guerrilla force in East Africa or with Afrika Korps cooperation in North Africa.