Benito Mussolini was a prominent figure during World War II. Going Solo, Roald Dahl's, memoir of his work in East Africa and his service in the RAF, covers much of the buildup to World War II. In the book Dahl describes several events of Benito Mussolini in Africa. Benito Mussolini plays a large role in the memoir as the dictator of Italy who allied with the Axis powers during the war. Dahl says, about Mussolini, that "Mussolini is trying to conquer Abyssinia and he's got a hundred thousand troops there (qtd. In Dahl)." In fact, Benito Mussolini is important because of his short-lived, but impactful efforts to save and rebuild Italy during his time as dictator in World War II.
First of all, Benito Mussolini learned and desired power even at a young age. According to Biography.com, "His father installed in him a passion for socialist politics and a defiance against authority." In other words, Mussolini learned to stand against the government and eventually create the Fascist Party. Benito Mussolini also forged the paramilitary Fascist movement in 1919 and became prime minister in 1922 (History.com). When Mussolini gained more power, he wanted to rule Italy like a
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In the memoir, Dahl says, "I had been posted to 80 Squadron who were flying Gladiators against the Italians in the Western Desert of Libya" (p.93). Based on History.com, "Mussolini's military expenditures in Libya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Albania made Italy predominant in the Mediterranean region." This shows that Mussolini was relevant in Dahl's memoir, because his troops were fighting against Dahl's squadron during this event. Dahl also mentions when Mussolini was trying to take over Abyssinia and was sending girls to boost his soldiers morale (p.21). Because Mussolini's war efforts are similar to the descriptions in Roald Dahl's memoir, he is has made an impact and became relevant in Dahl's