Mario Appelius

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Mario Appelius (1892–1946) was an Italian writer, journalist and radio host who became a leading Fascist propagandist during World War II. Born in Arezzo, he loved travel from a young age, ran away often, and by 15 was forced to work as a ship’s boy. He left the sea to roam Africa and Asia, doing various jobs, and by 20 had visited three continents. He began writing for Il Popolo d'Italia and, in 1930, founded Il Mattino d'Italia in Buenos Aires, which he led until 1933. He reported from Ethiopia and Spain as a war correspondent and supported the Fascist racial laws in 1938. In World War II he was a famous radio commentator, known for shouting "Dio stramaledica gli inglesi!" ("May God curse the English!") and for promoting Axis narratives, even inventing battles such as a 1940 clash between the Luftwaffe and the Royal Navy. His pessimistic tone eventually displeased Mussolini and the Ministry, leading to his dismissal in 1943. After Italy’s armistice, he was arrested in 1944 for fascist propaganda but escaped punishment due to amnesty. He died in Rome in 1946 from meningitis.