Figure 1.--Here we see Mussolini with Ettore Muti. Mussolimi wsas uoset with him because after the declrtion of war on Britain and France (June 1940), Muti whoi had been made Fascist Party Secretary wanted back in the military. The press caption read, "Duce inspects members of Italian youth organizations. Il Duce, accompanied by Ettore Muti (left), Sectetary of the Facist Party, inspcts an armed group of boys." Actually, Muti was back in the military when this photograph was taken--August 26, 1940. Notice the bayonets. Mussolimi liked to bombastically brag about his '8 million bayonets'.
Ettore Muti was born in Ravenna (1902). He came from a family of modest means. His father was Cesare, an employee of the Municipality. His mother was Pietra Celesta (Celestina, Gherardi). He had two sisters: Linda and Maria. Their original surname (Muty), was Italianized to Muti after World War I. As a boy, he had no intgerest in svhool and study. After Italy declared war in World War II (1915), he ttried to enlisted in the Army. He ran away from home to twice to joint the Armny was sent home. He eventully suceeded (1917). He served in assault units, but was eventually sent home again. His subsequent carrer is probably best described as a Fascist soldier and man of action. He joined Annunzio in thhe fight for Fiume after the War -- a Rijeka Legionary . He acquired the nick name--Gim. Annunzio called him 'Gim with green eyes' or 'Gim the little filibuster'. He was involved in Fascist mikitia that helped Mussolini seize power. He became a pilot and served in the invasion of Ethiopia (1935). He then served in the Italian intervention in the Spanish Civil War (1936). Italian air units were a major part of the Italian aid to Franco and the Nationalists. Mussolini wanted him to be the Fascist Party Secretary to replace Achille Starace. Count Ciamo was his main advocate. He was Party Secretary for a brief period from the outbreak of World War II until shortly after the entry of Italy into World War II (Octobrer 1939-June 1940). After only a year he basically resigned. He wanted military action. Both Mussdolini and Ciano were upset with him. Mutti retured to military duties and was involved in the invasion of Greece and operations like the daring long- range bombing of Haifa, the terminal of the Iraqi oil pipeline. He seems to have had a problen with Gen. Badoglio after the coup that repalced Mussolini. He was in Spann at the time trying to get the radar from a crashed American plane (July 1943). The Carabinieri arrsted him after his return (August 1943). He was shot in the pine forest of Fregene, apparently an execution. The circumstances are disputed, but it is widely believed that Badoglio ordered him shot.
