Did Mussolini

[Deine-Zukunft]

Did Mussolini smoked or drank anything or was he absolutist like A.H.

Cheers

[Lupo Solitario]

Substantially Mussolini enjoyed life: he had a lot of mistresses and certainly had no prejudices about food and drink.
I ignore if he smoked but it wouldn't surprise me

(On the other side he did a lot of physical exercise too...)

[corleone]

Didnt Mussolini also claim to have the biggest thighs in Italy?

[Deine-Zukunft]

On the other side he did a lot of physical exercise too

Really,what kind of exercise and how often?More closely regarding,he looked quite a strong physically.

http://www.crrl.com.fr/archives/expo19- ... lmusso.GIF

Clearly bigger than Hitler.

Could you italians tell something more unusual about Mussolini what we foreigners dont know.

Cheers

[Hachy]

Mussolini loved to demonstrate that he was sporty, but he wasn't good at all. His horse-riding's instructor, Camillo Ridolfi, go crazy for correct the horrible posing of the Duce. When a German journalistic delegation came to Rome during '36, Mussolini played fencing for them - the journals wrote articles proclaiming the amazing skills of that unconvincing athlete. In fact, in 1937, was forbidden to all journals to write an only word on an analogous event. Mussolini, also, played tennis (his teacher was Eraldo Monzeglio, soccer player) and swimming.

And, now, some photos! (source: http://www.ilduce.net)

[Davide Pastore]

Substantially Mussolini enjoyed life: he had a lot of mistresses and certainly had no prejudices about food and drink.

According to Denis Mack Smith ("Mussolini", 1981) he had serious digestive problems (ulcer) and had to follow a strict diet. Same author adds that the fact didn't unduly irritate him because he however didn't enjoy food at all (he was definitely not the typical Romagnolo). Apparently he stopped smoking and drinking alcohol in 1923. He drank 3 liters of milk each day, and ate a lot of fruit.

One of the most curios thing is the (alleged) origin of the "Roman salute": according to Mack Smith, it all begun because Mussolini was positively scared, bordering paranoia, by any personal contact with other people.

I haven't checked the mistress matter, but IIRC he seemed (again according to Mack Smith) non particularly interested in their quantity or quality.

Davide

[Davide Pastore]

Mussolini loved to demonstrate that he was sporty, but he wasn't good at all.

He also loved to be considered a good pilot. On one notorious occasion, while travelling over Russia on Hitler's plane, he announced to his augustus friend that he was going to pilote it for a while - Hitler was too shocked to say anything to the contrary - and did it. Next time, Hitler was careful about meeting him only on the ground.

And he was sure of knowing German language very well, never asking for an interpreter during his meeting with Hitler. Needless to say, he understood very little.

Davide

[spirit.of.sacrifice]

One of the most curios thing is the (alleged) origin of the "Roman salute": according to Mack Smith, it all begun because Mussolini was positively scared, bordering paranoia, by any personal contact with other people.

could you elaborate on this particular point, if you please? I'm highly interested.

[Davide Pastore]

Mack Smith, page 180 (the bad English is a result of my translation from Italian):

He usually spoke about the need of a protective bareer which could protect him from other people, and even about a physical repulsion for human contacts. When he prohibited the handshake, exhanging it with the "more hygienic" roman salute, it was partly due to a near-morbid aversion for physical contact.

Sources for the paragraph above are:
- V. Mussolini, Vita con mio padre (1957) p.19
- Ludwig, Colloqui (1932), p.112
- Lagardelle, Mission à Rome: Mussolini (1955), pp.169-170
- D'Aroma, Mussolini segreto (1958), p.125

Davide

[spirit.of.sacrifice]

thanks a lot, mate

Regards,

-Tristan

[Deine-Zukunft]

Thanks alot Hachy those pictures and info and also Davide Pastore for the info.

Cheers

[Potsdamerplatz]

He also loved to be considered a good pilot. On one notorious occasion, while travelling over Russia on Hitler's plane, he announced to his augustus friend that he was going to pilote it for a while - Hitler was too shocked to say anything to the contrary - and did it. Next time, Hitler was careful about meeting him only on the ground.

This is fascinating - I never knew this before. Just shows that you learn something new every day

[Davide Pastore]

This is fascinating - I never knew this before. Just shows that you learn something new every day

According to my source the fact narrated happened on 28 August 1941 and/or shortly thereafter, during the flight between Germany (following a visit to Rastenburg) and Uman. The plane was the Fw 200 26+00 and Mussolini, according to official papers, piloted it (very probably: "sat on one of the two seats, near the first pilot Bauer") for 7 hours 10 minutes - so apparently during more than one flight. Mussolini insisted in having this feat trumpeted to the world.

Obviously Mussolini suffered of a strong inferiority complex in respect to Hitler (according to Mack Smith, he was also embarassed by the obvious much more charming - when he wanted it !! - and magnetic behavior of his German colleague, while he was awkward and timid with strangers) and wanted to show him "something".

Mack Smith adds that, while in Rastenburg, Mussolini answered to the handshake attempt of a German high-ranking general with a roman salute, causing quite an embarassment.

Davide

[Potsdamerplatz]

Obviously Mussolini suffered of a strong inferiority complex in respect to Hitler

Yes, I have read this before many times.

Interesting though how things changed from their first meeting in Venice on 14th June 1934 when Hitler visited Mussolini wearing a badly-fitting black suit and Mussolini wore his Fascist uniform with full decorations and ribbons. Hitler was said to be absolutely furious and made sure the arrogant Italian never had the chance to get the better of him again.

Best wishes,

DAVID

[Deine-Zukunft]

Interesting though how things changed from their first meeting in Venice on 14th June 1934 when Hitler visited Mussolini wearing a badly-fitting black suit and Mussolini wore his Fascist uniform with full decorations and ribbons. Hitler was said to be absolutely furious and made sure the arrogant Italian never had the chance to get the better of him again.

I also read that Hitler was very sore and shy when he meeted Mussolini in 1934.