Apology of a Father-In-Law

Ciano and Others Sentenced to Death – 11-1-1944
Since January 8, the trial has been held at Vecchio Castle in Verona before the special court, against the signatories of the motion drawn up by Grandi for the meeting of the Grand Fascist Council, which led to the well-known events of July 25, 1943. Except for Cianetti, who received 30 years of forced labor, all the accused were sentenced to death. Out of the 18 death sentences, 13 were pronounced in the absence of the accused. The five present individuals sentenced to death were Mussolini‘s son-in-law Ciano, De Bono, Marinelli, Pareschi, and Gotthardi.

Death Sentences for Ciano and Others carried out – 12-1-44
The death sentence of the special court in Verona, which had to judge members of the Grand Fascist Council, was carried out on Tuesday morning shortly after 9 o’clock by firing squad on De Bono, Ciano, Gottardi, Marinelli, and Pareschi.

Duce’s Traitors Brought to Trial
Count Ciano, the Duce‘s son-in-law, Marshal De Bono, one of Mussolini‘s oldest collaborators, and three others appeared in court personally. They were executed shortly after the verdict was announced. The others were sentenced in absentia. Although De Bono had been particularly conspicuous during the years of Mussolini‘s rise, Ciano had been in the spotlight in recent years as the Italian Foreign Minister. However, the court was not deterred from a death sentence by the sound of their names. The defendants denied their guilt, stating that they had only wanted a government with a broader base. Nevertheless, the judges found them guilty of high treason and of providing the enemy with a favorable military position. When the judges were about to announce the verdict, an air raid alarm was sounded. However, as soon as the all-clear signal was given, the verdict was delivered. The defendants turned pale; evidently, they had not expected this. Their plea for clemency was conveyed to Mussolini the same day. However, the Duce remained unyielding. The next morning, the verdict was carried out. – 13-1-44

Mussolini’s Revolution
Devours its own children,
Yes, I can already see the Duce
Today in his top hat,

Because his own son-in-law
Galeazzo Ciano
To whom he gave a Count’s crown
Gets the guillotine-o.

No, he did not die under the axe,
He was shot dead,
For the salvation of his father-in-law,
It was decided.

He shamefully murdered
His daughter’s husband
Ciano was hit by the arrow of revenge,
Now becoming a widow

The Duce’s little daughter laments,
Cries: O Sole Mio,
Would I not have a heart of stone,
If I were to forgive-o?

Dad and daughter today adorn
The funeral carriage,
Child, I’m terribly sorry,
Says the Duce full of grief.

And he now awkwardly scratches
His bald head-o:
Unfortunately, I couldn’t do anything
For Galeazzo:

Yes, usually people
throughout the world tremble
And full of pale fear
Of the mothers-in-law

But with us, it was different,
Between your mother
And Count Ciano
It was complete harmony.

When someone on his own
Observes it, he may
Think I am a
Uncaring father-in-law.

Child, I truly did not
Struck your marital bliss into pieces,
But I could not go back,
Ciano had to die.

I would be happy to
Have granted amnesty,
But Adolf has declared,
Duce, dare not.

Hitler is dead serious,
He strictly forbade me,
Therefore, to my sorrow,
Ciano had to die.