By mid-1939, Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, was flexing its muscles as the most influential power in Europe. Around this time, Italy, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, was seeking to solidify its position too.

• When? May 1939
• What? A promise that both Germany and Italy would back each other up if attacked.
• On Paper: Both countries should coordinate their military plans.
• Reality:
  • Military leaders on both sides were pretty tight-lipped, not too keen on sharing military plans.
  • Top dogs, Hitler and Mussolini, weren't dishing out their foreign policy secrets either.

Did you know? 🧠 Mussolini referred to this pact as the "Pact of Steel".

• Not Ready for Big Battles: Italy was like a football player that had just finished a tiring match and was asked to play another right after. Italy had spent a lot on wars in Abyssinia and the Spanish Civil War (which Italians cheekily called the ‘Spanish ulcer’ 😷).
• Money Matters: Their wallets were pretty much empty. Prepping for a full-scale European war was out of the question.
• World War II Whistle: Italy benched itself, calling itself non-belligerent (basically not taking part, but not officially neutral either).