With the words "We will conquer. People of Italy, to arms! Show your tenacity, your courage, your worth." Italy's Fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini, announced that Italy was entering the war. Mussolini was worried by the apparent ease with which Germany was gaining territory in Europe, and wanted to assure himself a place at whatever peace negotiations would take place when Germany achieved a final victory. It would only take the death of a thousand or so Italian soldiers, he believed, to ensure a seat at the conference table after the war.
Meanwhile as France crumbled and its government sued for peace, French people around the world declared themselves to be Free French, and that they would continue to oppose Germany in the war. In Britain Charles de Gaulle broadcast an appeal to French officers and civilians to get in touch: "...the flames of French resistance must not and shall not die." Following French capitulation on 22 June, Britain formally recognized De Gualle as the leader, in exile, of France. French colonies announced their intention to fight on against Germany and Italy - Generals in Somaliland and Algeria offered their support.
