Diary, 1937-1943

by Ciano, Galeazzo conte

"Galeazzo Ciano was Foreign Minister in the Italian Fascist government of Benito Mussolini from June 10, 1936 to February 8, 1943. He was also the Duce's son-in-law, having married the dictator's eldest daughter, Edda. After being an ardent promoter of the alliance with Hitler's Germany, Ciano began having serious second thoughts in 1939. By 1941 he had clearly become persona non grata to the Nazi leadership, and especially to Adolf Hitler and his Foreign Minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop.". "On July 25, 1943, Ciano voted against Mussolini during the fateful meeting of the Fascist Grand Council. Arrested by the Nazis, he was tried for treason by a Fascist court in Verona, condemned to death by firing squad, and executed on January 11, 1944, with other Fascist leaders who had also voted against Mussolini.". "Ciano's diary was considered a major source of embarrassment for the Nazis. It gives an unflattering but realistic picture of the Nazi leadership bent on war, murder and destruction.