8. His first rationalization occurred on 2 June, recorded by General Halder’s representative at Hitler’s headquarters: there was “a slight difference between Italy and Germany. Italy’s main enemy had become England. Germany’s main enemy was France,” and the British would soon be ready for a “reasonable conclusion of peace” (Halder’s War Diary, cited in Lukacs, The Duel, 105).

9. Documenti diplomatici italiani, 1939-1943, series 9, vol. 4, 520.