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Marek Sobski

New Member
Hello!

I wanted to introduce myself, my book series and its first volume.

“Mussolini's War” series of publications is aimed to deal in a matter-of-fact way with the unfair, racist myth of the Italian being a cowardly soldier by birth. It will discuss in a substantive way the campaigns fought by the Italian forces on the ground, at sea and in the air during the reign of Benito Mussolini, the dictator. Reader-friendly language style, descriptions of previously neglected or unknown operations and actions, a lot of space devoted to the most important heroes of the events in question – the rank-and-file - all this makes these books dedicated to readers of all levels of historical knowledge and a guarantee of pleasant time spent reading. The painfully honest account of the weaknesses of the Italian military, in which however, we do not forget about the numerous examples of unprecedented heroism and endurance of the Italians, is based on references on the topic published worldwide, thanks to which we avoid mythologisation, which can often be noticed in other works. It is the first time that the subject is presented comprehensively in the English language.

Volume I is "East Africa 1940-1941 (land campaign): The Italian Army Defends The Empire In The Horn Of Africa" available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PC7FYMV (and every other marketplace)

When the Kingdom of Italy entered the war in Europe in June 1940, it did so only for a moment to hasten the fall of France and force Britain to the peace negotiations table. With each subsequent month it was turning out that the Italians had got involved in a war that was not going to have a quick and victorious end, and the state of their own unpreparedness for the conflict was shocking.

Due to the Italian colonial possessions, the war also spread to East Africa, so distant for Europeans. This is where the situation of the Italian forces turned out to be the most difficult. The troops fighting there, mostly consisting of natives, were disastrously poorly armed, trained only for the purposes of colonial warfare or maintaining internal order in the colonies, cut off from supplies by neighbouring French and British possessions, and the Italian high command lacked the abilities of waging regular campaign. The British Empire, too, began the battle for the Horn of Africa poorly prepared, but quickly realised the importance of this campaign, namely the safety of its own lines of communication across the Red Sea, the Nile and Africa. Having quickly mobilised its forces, it proceeded to eliminate the Italian threat in this part of the world.

This work presents in detail the campaign that lasted until November 1941, in which soldiers of about twenty nationalities from three continents fought on both sides for the colonial interests of Italy and Britain. The campaign in East Africa is not only about the frontline combat, it is also a brutal war between Italians and Ethiopian partisans. We also present issues such as the economic situation of Italian East Africa, the fate of the Italians inhabiting it, the history of the countries that constituted it after the campaign ended, and the Italian underground resistance, whose flame was smouldering up to the very armistice between Italy and the Allies.

Marek Sobski, a graduate of the University of Zielona Góra, is a historian. Author of several books (including some published in English like "Lictorian Fasces Over England. Regia Aeronautica In Action Against Britain 1940–1941" and the two-volume "Crickets Against Rats. Regia Aeronautica In The Spanish Civil War"), as well as articles in specialist magazines. Since late 2011, he has been a promoter of interest in the history of the Italian military in the first half of the 20th century, and his expertise has been made available to readers of the "Mussolini's War" blog and on social media.

Please wish me good luck!

Best regards,

Marek Sobski

:)
 

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1089maul

Member
Hello Marek,
In accordance with your request, good luck with your new book!
I already have your two Regia Aeronautica books so I know your work.
I have been trying to purchase your new book on Betasom but have been unsuccessful due to COVID!! I will look again to see if it is available in the UK.
I also look forward to get your new series soon!
Regards,
Bob
 

jwsleser

Administrator
Staff member
Bob

Can you write a review of the R.A. books for Comando Supremo?

I feel the Lictorian Fasces over England: Regia Aeronautica in action against England 1940–1941 would be a good book to review if you have read a copy.

v/r Jeff
 

Marek Sobski

New Member
Hello,

It was I who blocked the publication of the Betasom. In Poland, I have self-published a 200-page book (without any illustrations). The publisher wanted me to shorten it by 50%. Nonsense. I will release Betasom in the Mussolini's War series, but with new materials, maps and over 200 photos. I dream so...

Lictorian Fasces over England: Regia Aeronautica in action against England 1940–1941... I plan to re-publish it, I even have new archival material from Ufficio Storico Aeroanutica Militare.

P.S. East Africa 1940-1941 is also available for free with Kindle Unlimited. Hope this book reaches many readers, deserves it!
 

Saetta

New Member
Hi Marek,

I saw your Betasom book on Amazon and am very much looking forward to it! Was wondering what happened to the listing, but I think you have the right mindset, and I will definitely be picking up a copy! Please link where I can buy it once it is available.

Thank you for your time and effort!

Chris
 

1089maul

Member
Jeff,
We have just gone into higher lockdown in UK and will do a review as soon as I can as I am away from home with a new grandchild!
Marek,
Very interesting. I look forward to your new Betasom book and ask as Chris does that you post on this form as to where and when it will be available!
Regards,
Bob
 

jwsleser

Administrator
Staff member
As Marek came to inform us of his book series, I decided to take it out for a spin. My copy of his East Africa 1940-1941 arrived today. Initial scan is promising, but reading will tell. Here is a picture of his book with some of my main sources in my library. I will post my book review once I have finished.
AOIBooks.jpg


Pista! Jeff
 

Marek Sobski

New Member
Hello!

Mussolini’s Eastern Crusade: The Italian Expeditionary Corps In Operation Barbarossa (Mussolini's War vol. 2) is now available: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GPYLYXC

Color version of maps for download: https://files.fm/u/aceva9jf8

Benito Mussolini was an exceptionally hot-headed politician. No wonder then that when reports from various sources began to reach him about the invasion of the Soviet Union planned by Adolf Hitler, in the blink of an eye he made the decision to accompany his friend in this new venture. The news of the enormous successes of the Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front only reinforced the decision to send representatives of the Italian armed forces to Russia in the form of the Expeditionary Corps (Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia; CSIR). It was one of the most disastrous decisions of the Duce, which in time directly contributed to the collapse of the fascist regime, as the number of victims and brutality of the fighting in the east terrified the Italian public opinion, which never looked at war in such a total way as it was in the 3rd Reich or USSR.

In early July 1941, three Italian divisions and a Blackshirt Legion began their journey into the unknown. There, soldiers were to fight against a completely unknown opponent, among peoples and ethnicities of the Soviet Union oppressed by red terror and living on the verge of poverty. Italians also quickly understood that their enemy would be the climate, regardless of the season. Nevertheless, they proudly represented their country, and the period discussed in the book was indeed a time of heavy fighting, but also successes, which for Italian troops were so often missing in World War Two. At the same time, the first symptoms of impending catastrophe appeared. CSIR logistics turned out to be ineffective, the enemy's reserves of manpower seemed to be endless, and in terms of the quality and availability of weapons, he quickly began to outperform the Italians.

The book covers the first period of Italian involvement on the Eastern Front: CSIR's participation in Operation “Barbarossa” and the Soviet counteroffensive in the winter of 1941/1942. The basis for the decision to increase the Italian participation to the level of an entire army (the 8th Army, commonly known as Armata Italiana in Russia - ARMIR) is also presented. One of the chapters is also devoted to the aviation component, which was subordinated to the command of the CSIR.

1.Transfer of Corpo di Spedizione Italiano from Italy to the concentration area in Romania.

mapa 1.jpg


2. Corpo di Spedizione Italiano positions as of August 13, 1941.

2-01.jpg


3. Battle of Petrykivka (September 28-30, 1941).

3-01.jpg


4. March of Corpo di Spedizione Italiano over the Volchya River and the capture of Pavlograd.

4-01.jpg


5. The participation of Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in the capture of the Donetsk Basin.

5-01.jpg


6. Operation of the seizure of Gorlovka and Rykove by Corpo di Spedizione Italiano.

6-01.jpg


7. Italian offensive in the Tchasepetivka area.

7-01.jpg


8. Christmas Battle (December 25-27, 1941).

index.php


Cover:

Okladka.jpg


Next goal: France 1940 (land campaign)

Regards,

Marek Sobski

:cool:
 

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1089maul

Member
Marek,
Thanks for the update. Will a paper back be available outside of the USA? I personally do not like kindle editions of reference books. I have looked on Amazon UK and it is only available at this moment in time in kindle format.
Regards,
Bob
 

jwsleser

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks Marek!

Ordered.

Pista! Jeff
 

Marek Sobski

New Member
Marek,
Thanks for the update. Will a paper back be available outside of the USA? I personally do not like kindle editions of reference books. I have looked on Amazon UK and it is only available at this moment in time in kindle format.
Regards,
Bob
Yes, there is a problem with the British Amazon. There is always some delay there. The book certainly will be available also in the UK. Matter of time.

Regards,

Marek
 

jwsleser

Administrator
Staff member
I received my copy of Mussolini’s Eastern Crusade: The Italian Expeditionary Corps In Operation Barbarossa yesterday. As my daughter and son-in-law are visiting from Germany, it was only this morning that I was able to take a quick look at the book. This is merely my first impression, as I have only read the Introduction and Chapter IX/3 The Italians in Operation 'Fridericus II.
Sobski.jpeg

My first thought when I opened the package was well, this is a slim book. At 208 pages (that is everything), I was concern about what the book covered. Then I remembered the title, the CSIR. Okay a quick check, and yes the book only coves the CSIR. A second volume will cover the ARMIR.

Thumbing through the book, the level of detail is very similar to that found in the Italian official history, Le operazioni in della unità italiane al front russo. Don't expect any new material, but it appears a solid English account of the CSIR. The maps are redraw versions of the ones in the official history, but provide less information as they lack the Italian unit symbology found in the official. For a general account of the operations, this is not a problem.

For those who can't access Italian sources, this is a welcome addition. More after I read the book.

v/r Jeff
 

Marek Sobski

New Member
My first thought when I opened the package was well, this is a slim book. At 208 pages (that is everything), I was concern about what the book covered. Then I remembered the title, the CSIR. Okay a quick check, and yes the book only coves the CSIR. A second volume will cover the ARMIR.

Thumbing through the book, the level of detail is very similar to that found in the Italian official history, Le operazioni in della unità italiane al front russo. Don't expect any new material, but it appears a solid English account of the CSIR. The maps are redraw versions of the ones in the official history, but provide less information as they lack the Italian unit symbology found in the official. For a general account of the operations, this is not a problem.

For those who can't access Italian sources, this is a welcome addition. More after I read the book.
Yes, the book covers only CSIR. There will be a separate book about ARMIR, or maybe several! I am waiting impatiently for your opinion after reading the entire book. I am concerned about the lack of Russian literature on this subject. Many of my Polish colleagues speak Russian (I have the basics) and I was really looking for such material.

Let me also mention a case that I wrote about on my fan page...

On behalf of myself and all other authors, I have a great request to you: take some time to rate the book you are reading. We really need this!
It is a great honor for me to write about the Italian army. This is a job that I am going to devote my professional life to. I am open to contact with readers - ask, discuss, have your comments. Books are made for you, not for my satisfaction.

I write under the influence of emotions, it is usually the wrong choice. My latest book, Mussolini's Eastern Crusade: The Italian Expeditionary Corps In Operation Barbarossa, got its first rating. Unfortunately, it is terrible (one star out of five possible). I am able to accept any criticism and talk about comments. Here, however, someone didn't even write a word. Unfair rivality, or maybe I'm writing on an uncomfortable topic?

I will say one thing: nonsense! This is a very good book, and subsequent reviews will only confirm it. Mussolini's Eastern Crusade could be released on the Italian market, and I'm sure it would be warmly welcomed.

Yours sincerely,

Marek Sobski
 

Saetta

New Member
Hi Marek,

I also have a copy and am in the process of reading it, quite enjoying the book! Personally I really enjoyed the discussion of Italy's relationship with the Soviet Union in the pre-war/opening phases, that's a unique topic that isn't often discussed outside of the Spanish Civil War. You raise some good points how Italy could have gone the route of other Axis nations such as Spain, but instead dove straight into the invasion head first. I am sorry someone unfairly gave you a poor review, once finished I will provide my thoughts on Amazon, but leaning towards a very positive review thus far!

I'm also really happy to see one of your sources regarding the Regia Aeronautica's involvement is from Ali Sulla Steppe, that book is one of my favorites!
 

1089maul

Member
Arrrggghhhhhhhh!!!!

This book is still not available in the UK! I will have to remain patient.

Marek, any update on the Betasom book?

Regards,

Bob
 

Marek Sobski

New Member
Betasom will be vol. 4 of the series and should be released next year. I have a huge amount of new materials. Every voyage of Italian submarines will be described in detail. I promise you it will be really good!

P.S. Amazon shows the paperback of Barbarossa was sold in the UK... I do not know what's going on.

Regards,

Marek
 

1089maul

Member
Marek,
Thanks for the update. I am really looking forward to the Betasom book. There aren’t many books dedicated solely to this area of the Regia Marina’s theatre of operations. I have a fair knowledge of the Italian involvement in the Battle of the Atlantic so will cast a critical eye over your book!! 😂
On a positive notes, volume 2 of your series is finally available in the UK and should be arriving tomorrow.
Regards to all,
Bob
 

Marek Sobski

New Member
Hi,

New release! :)


Next one (vol. 4): Betasom: Italian Submarines in the Atlantic 1940-1945 - scheduled for release in 2023!

The favourite weapon of Benito Mussolini was a bluff calculated for the intimidation of adversaries to force them to yield according to his will. This game of appearances the Italian dictator also practised in the military field. In order not to remain groundless, in 1936, General Alberto Pariani became the Secretary of the State in the Ministry of the War, and Mussolini managed the Ministry personally, and liked to stress the strength of the Italian Army in his cocky speeches, which, if necessary - according to him - would be able to deploy sixty fully equipped divisions. Reality, however, was very different, as for sixty whole divisions there was not enough weapons or even the appropriate number of officers. Thus, Pariani suggested that every infantry division will be reduced from three to two infantry regiments and in this wonderful way the Duce was still able to put a good face to bad game and claim that he had a large and well armed army.

The time of checking this view in a clash with reality, however, was approaching inexorably. On 1 September 1939, Adolf Hitler's troops attacked Poland, on 3 September, the Allies, Britain and France, supported her by declaring war on the Third Reich. A series of small conflicts and political tensions in Asia, Africa and Europe finally led to the outbreak of another war on a global scale. The Italian dictator, associated with Hitler by the Steel Pact, announced Italy as a "non-belligerent". Being aware that the country and the armed forces were exhausted by the costs of wars in Ethiopia, Spain and the invasion on Albania, he waited. He compared himself to a cat prowling for a mouse, as he must have had practically mathematical certainty that his attack would succeed and he would not be left with nothing.

The French armed forces in the interwar period had the reputation of the most powerful in the world, additionally protected by the widely-publicised Maginot Line. Moreover supported by Britain and her population and the economic potential of His Majesty's Empire, they seemed unbeatable. Therefore, it was a surprise to the world when German armoured divisions broke through the forests of the Ardennes and threatened the rear of the Anglo-French troops trying to rescue the Low Countries. After Sedan and Dunkirk, the Duce came to the conclusion that the time for his decisive leap had just arrived, after which his victim would accept any of his conditions.

On 10 June 1940, Benito Mussolini, while speaking to the nation, stated that Italy was in a state of war with the western democracies. Completely unprepared for war, the Italian Royal Army, in the dictator's intention, had to perform one serious effort so that he could then, as a victor, sit at the peace negotiations table and impose his will on the world. Italian soldiers, despite the collapse of the weather in the Western Alps, were thrown into a frontal attack on the Maginot Line. The Duce calmly calculated that a few thousand corpses would be a small price for a success that he would achieve. The Germans, whenever they undertook frontal assaults on French fortifications, were slaughtered. Could the Italians possibly fare any better?

The book is being illustrated by 8 maps and 94 photographs of the main theme of the work as well as photo album: Blitzkrieg in the Western Europe as seen in the Italian press at the time.

List of chapters:

I. Political Relations of Italy and France in the Interwar Period
II. Time For The Final Decisions
III. The Maginot Line in the Alps
IV. Opposing Forces
V. The First Fighting
VI. Operation "B" - The Battle for the Small Saint Bernard Pass
VII. Advance In the Direction of the Town of Modane
VIII. Briançon: Italian Attack On The Town-Fortress
IX. Advance Of The 1st Italian Army In The Alps
X. Battle of Menton
XI. The Armistice
XII. The Situation On The Border Of Italian And French Possessions In North Africa

Regards!

OkladkaFR (mała).jpg
 

1089maul

Member
Marek,
I look forward to read it. Italy’s invasion of France is a subject that I have read much about.
Regards,
Bob
 
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