The Last Soldiers of the King: Wartime Italy, 1943-1945

The narrative continues to explore the harrowing experiences of Italian soldiers during World War II, focusing on the aftermath of their disastrous campaign in Russia. Corti, a former artillery lieutenant, reflects on the brutal realities faced by the Thirty-fifth Corps, where only a fraction of the original 30,000 men survived the encirclement by the Red Army. The story delves into themes of survival, loss, and the collapse of Mussolini's ambitions, offering a poignant look at the human cost of war through Corti's personal lens.