Rossi, Elena Aga Roma tradita

Settembre 1943, la mancata difesa e l’occupazione tedesca

Despite extensive historiographical publications regarding September 8, 1943, key questions remain unanswered: Why was Rome not defended? Why did Badoglio refuse to order an attack on the German forces after the armistice was announced? The release of documents from the parliamentary commission of inquiry gave scholars access to thousands of pages of testimony and reports. Analysis of these documents revealed omissions, fabrications, and contradictions on the part of those involved, who were intent on justifying their actions and shifting responsibility elsewhere. The military leadership spoke of an inevitable capitulation andin an effort to justify themselvesoverestimated the strength of the German forces. Elena Aga Rossi reconstructs the events of those days to bring to light the truth about one of the most dramatic moments in Italian history.