The armistice between Italy and the Allies on September 8, 1943, marked a decisive turning point in World War II, both on an international level and regarding Italy's internal affairs. The armistice signaled the imminent fall of the Axis and the final victory of the Allies. It also demonstrated the ineptitude of the Italian political and military elite, as well as the inability of the monarchy to lead the country out of the war and sever its Fascist connections, an inability that sealed the monarchy's fate.

September 8, 1943, has come to be regarded by Italians as one of the most tragic moments in the history of united Italy. It has become a symbol not only of the total collapse and dissolution of the state, but also of a deeply rooted crisis of the nation itself. The announcement of the armistice was followed by the precipitous flight from Rome of King Victor Emmanuel III, the government of Marshal Pietro Badoglio and the Supreme Command of the armed forces. The highest authorities of the land left as their only directive to the Italian armed forces the last words of the proclamation read on the radio by Prime Minister Badoglio as he announced the armistice: they were to cease hostilities against the Anglo-American forces, but retaliate “against any attack from any direction whatsoever.”

The consequences of these events were devastating for Italy. An army of more than a million men disintegrated almost completely within a few days. Some units chose to go on fighting the Germans, and in some cases they held out for several weeks, but the results were tragic.