Rebuilding a Nation: The Removal of Landmines and other Explosive Remnants of War Conducted by the Italian Authorities under Allied Supervision in the Post Fascist Period

This thesis discussed the problem of the removal of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, as part of the complex process of stabilizing a nation after a conflict. Specifically, it examines the case study resulting from the Italian reconstruction process begun in September 1943 with the signing of two armistices, analyzing the role played by the Allied Military Government of Occupied Territory, the Allied Control Commission, and the Italian institutions in solving this impelling and challenging problem. In detail, this research examines the most relevant concerns and challenges that emerged over time and the primary solutions adopted, or at least considered. Then, it illustrates the scarce resources available to the Italian Army and, in this context, studies the processes leading to the mobilization of the Mine Clearance Companies and the establishment the Servizio Bonifica Campi Minati Service of Land Reclamation of Minefields. Finally, the study concludes by providing some suggestions of possible interest for future international operations, underlining how the military leadership and therefore the officer class will be called upon to make crucial and critical decisions on which will depend the effects not only on the opposing armies but also on the civilian population. Only acting with wisdom and shrewdness will it be possible to limit to the maximum extent any further unnecessary collateral effects.