The May 1938 Italian Great Troop Parade in Rome

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JLEES
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Joined: 26 Apr 2002, 05:01
Location: Michigan, USA

The May 1938 Italian Great Troop Parade in Rome

#1

Post by JLEES » 17 Aug 2003, 16:59

Hello,
I've recently run across a picture of the Great Troop Parade in May 1938. As I understand it, Fascist troops marched northward through Rome’s ancient Forum, during the Great Troop Parade along the Via dell Imperial in Rome, during Hitler’s 1938 State Visit. The picture depicts elements of the 50,000 fascist and Italian Army formations marched past the Arch of Constantine and the Colosseum, which can be seen on the card’s distant background, down Via dell Imperial toward the Piazza Venezia, where Hitler and Mussolini were standing in front of the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. What was the date of the parade? Hitler was in Rome from May 3-9. On May 5, Hitler went to Naples and on the morning of the 9th he went to Florence. I origionally thought it was conducted May 5, on the two year anniversary of the capture of Addis Ababa and Ethiopia surrendered, but this could not be the case. This is also the parade where German observers and Graziani himself spotted weapons in vehicles made of wood. Does anyone know the date of this parade?
James

David Thompson
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#2

Post by David Thompson » 17 Aug 2003, 18:30

JLEES -- I posted 10 of the photos from Hitler's 1938 visit at:

"Photo Album of Hitler's Visit to Italy 1938"
http://www.thirdreichforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=25221

I'll see if I can't find a more detailed schedule of events of 3-9 May 1938 for you.


JLEES
Member
Posts: 1992
Joined: 26 Apr 2002, 05:01
Location: Michigan, USA

Hitler in Rome

#3

Post by JLEES » 17 Aug 2003, 20:12

David,
I've found some information on his trip to Italy
May 3 arrived
May 5 trip to Naple Naval Review
May 7 toured Diocletian baths and other ancient sites
May 9 departure for Florence (last Day)

I origionally thought the parade would have been May 5, or May 9, due to those dates having key anniv. meanings (Capture Ethiopian Capital; proclamation of Empire). But this may not be the case.
James

David Thompson
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Joined: 20 Jul 2002, 20:52
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#4

Post by David Thompson » 17 Aug 2003, 20:25

JLEES -- Thanks. Postwar history doesn't seem to devote a lot of print to Hitler's 1938 visit to Italy.

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