August 21, 1944
Once the Republican National Guard becomes part of the Republican National Army, of which it will form the backbone, I wish to emphasize the importance of such an event, whose logic and necessity are quite evident. Despite great difficulties that arose due to its initial formation and the complexity of its tasks, the Republican National Guard contributed greatly to the consolidation of the Italian Social Republic with its tireless struggle against internal cells operating under the order of the enemy. Hundreds and hundreds of men fallen in combat or in ambushes by bandits demonstrates this. Such evidence of dedication to the Fatherland and to the Fascist idea is fully recognized in the decision to make the Republican National Guard the first arm of the Republican National Army. I am certain that once they return exclusively to military combat functions, freed from tasks beyond its nature, the Republican National Guard will demonstrate on the battlefields that there are still phalanxes of Italians of good race, determined by every means to achieve the salvation of the Fatherland.
MUSSOLINI
