Several years ago I read a book written by Iris Origo, “War in Val d’Orcia.” It was a diary written by an English-born woman who married a wealthy aristocratic Italian and moved with him to develop an estate in the Tuscan hills in the 1930s.
This diary tells the inspiring story of how she and other Italians sheltered and saved the lives of dozens of American and British airmen who had bailed out over Italy, as well as Italian artisans combatting the Nazi army.
This is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read, as it brings to life people’s willingness to risk their own lives to save the lives of others.
I recently read another diary by Iris Origo, written during the years 1939-1940, leading up to Italy’s alliance with Germany. It is called “Chill in the Air.” It tells a very different story.
This diary traces the increasing concern on the part of most Italians that they will become involved in the escalating war. Most do not like Germany. Many choose to believe that Mussolini will be able to keep the country out of the war. Month to month, however, the power of Germany’s army becomes clearer as it overwhelms Belgium and France and occupies Paris. Relentless propaganda is brought to the Italian public trumpeting England’s so-called “imperialistic” intent with the accompanying vision that, allied with Germany, Italy could control the Mediterranean and have its "proper role in the world.” All of this this leads to increasing support for Germany.
As 1940 unfolded, the Italian newspapers pointed to a picture of impending doom for the English. The Italian ambassador to England describes a future which will see the complete domination of Europe by Germany. Italy should then become, in his opinion, a tourist country, "attracting the money of all the pleasure-seekers of the world." The English, he maintained, "are done for because their character is now hopelessly rotten; all that is left is corrupt and sterile." It is hardly possible to overstate (Origo writes) how universally this opinion is now held here. Daily, the press and radio insistently proclaim the inevitability and immediacy of the destruction of England, her incapacity to defend herself, her lack of trained men, of munitions, of food. Churchill’s speeches are considered vain boasts based on no foundation of fact.
At the German Embassy in Rome, it is said, “There are both optimists and pessimists. The optimists say that the war will be over in mid-August; the pessimists in September.”
In mid-July1940, after having defeating France, Hitler makes a speech which, in Origo’s words, “is received here with almost universal approval; even those people who are not admirers of Nazism consider it a genuine effort towards peace and a last chance for England to save herself from destruction; that this destruction will be inevitable and will be swift, if it were to attempt it, no one doubts.”
These diary entries, Iris Origo writes, represent the "general opinion" in Italy, demonstrating how public opinion can shift in light of perceived strength and "inevitable outcomes."
They demonstrate how people can be prepared to board a fast-running train even if they don’t agree with its destination. They warn us against what can be a strong even if cynical view that "might makes right.”
This explains a lot in human history.
Much more hopefully, this chapter of history further underscores the courage of the British people (as well as the Italians, whom Origo celebrated in her other diary). They and millions of others risked and gave their lives to deny and thwart what was seen by so many as the “inevitable” victory of Germany.
No comments:
Post a Comment