When the fall of Mussolini took place on 7/25/43, the Italian army on Kefallonia was physically and mentally beaten. They desired only the end of the war and their return home.
- Flier dropped by Germans to Italian soliders
The Italian army was happy to learn of the fall of Mussolini, who they believe was responsible for their suffering. However, they were disappointed when they heard on the radio that General Badoglio had announced Italy would remain faithful to its allies and would fight on the side of Germany.
After 6 weeks from this announcement by General Badoglio, on 9/8/43, the announcement regarding the armistance between Italy and the Allies had Italian soliders everywhere rejoicing. They were certain war was over and they would return home.
Official Ceremony
In Argostoli, all the Italian soliders began celebrating -- shouting, singing, shooting guns, creating havoc and turmoil. The command had to restore order with patrols sweeping through town.
The Greeks on Kefallonia did not celebrate. They distrusted the Italians, who had been their main oppressors since the beginning of the occupation.
The Italians -- from the highest rank to common soliders -- suspected something bad might happen after the armistice. They tried then to reconcile with the island population. To gain the Kefallonians' trust and friendship, they disclosed all secret telegrams, including communications between mutinous captains of the artillery regiments and their superiors, orders of the Italian general, so that the rumours going around town would be accurate.
The Germans asked Italian General Antonio Gandin, through its first communique on 9/10/43, to surrender all arms of his division within 24 hours.
This was part of the German plan to disarm all Italian armed forces following the news of the Italian armistice, to ensure they would not fight against the Germans.
Although the Italian armies throughout Greece lay down their arms and surrendered to the Germans, the Italian Aqui Division ended up in an open conflict with the Germans on Kefallonia and Corfu, due to lower ranking officers resisting the surrender.
Positions of Italian/German Armies at the time of the massacre
TO BE CONTINUED.....
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