Mussolini, Benito - Lettera ad Himmler

The text reads "Dear Himmler, a representative of General Wolff has come to speak to me about the creation of an Italian division of the SS that is truly such. You know that the experiment attempted with elements taken from the concentration camps in Germany has been on the whole negative. I have told your Colonel and I repeat to you that recruitment in Italy at this time is impossible. Since many of the internees had joined the Republic and had declared themselves ready to fight, I propose the following to you: a) program to create an S.S. division in Germany. b) select from the mass of former internees those who are at least 1.75 meters tall and were bersaglieri or CC.NN. c) train them for at least six months in Germany. d) make them fight for at least another six months in German units, after which they would return to Italy as an Italian unit - The choice referred to in point b) should be obligatory. I take this opportunity, dear comrade Himmler, to congratulate you on the high task that the Fuhrer has entrusted to you and to renew my the expression of my friendship. August 14 - M"