Click here to go BACK to the main page

MUSSOLINI - Benito Mussolini (1883 - 1945). Italian dictator and founder of the Fascist Movement and prime minister from 1922. Know as Il Duce (the leader) In June 1940 Italy entered the second world war in support of Hitler. Forced to resign as prime minister in 1943, he established a breakaway government in northern Italy. In April 1945 he and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were captured at Lake Como trying to reach the Swiss border. They were shot and taken to Milan where they were hung upside down from butchers hooks in the town square.