FALL OF THE DUCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 248, 30 July 1943, Page 3

FALL OF THE DUCE.

“RESULT OF CONSPIRACY.” GRANDI AND BADOGLIO ACT. (Rec. 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, July 29. The Rome correspondent of the “Svenska, Dagbladet” says that Mussolini was overthrown as the result of a conspiracy between Count Grandi and Marshal Badoglio. Count Grandi, after learing that Mussolini had agreed to Hitler’s plan to fall back to the Po line, sought out Marshal Badoglio. They secretly conferred with the King, who unhesitatingly accepted their plan provided the Army agreed. Marshal Badoglio thereupon went to Army Headquarters where he found a military leader .already preparing the end of the regime. Count Grandi had a second audience Avith the King and persuaded Mussolini to call a meeting of the Fascist Grand Council. Count Grandi and Marshal Badoglio established their headquarters on Friday night at the Grand Hotel, to which they summoned important political, financial and industrial personages.

The military chiefs on Saturday morning massed picked troops outside Rome. The troops had moved into the capital before the Grand Council met. Early on Sunday morning Mussolini Avas taken under escort to the King. The audience Avas very short. Mussolini Avas then sent under escort out of Rome.