Mussolini thus hoped to prolong the peace in Europe at least until the 1942-43, knowing that the country was not prepared neither economically nor militarily to face a large conflict. The May 23, however, the day after the signing of the Steel Pact, Hitler held a secret war council: on the agenda was the attack on Poland.
For the Germans, the task of the Italians was to contain the reaction of France and England in the Mediterranean.
When Hitler independently decided to invade Poland the 1 ° September of the '39, in fact violating the obligation of permanent consultation established in the Pact of Steel, Mussolini declared the non-belligerence, not respecting in turn the agreements dictated by 3 article.
Source: Army Majority Staff
