Mussolini's Last Stand - 1944 Complete Mint Set of 4

After the Allies forced Mussolini out of power, Germany seized control of Northern Italy and set up a fascist puppet state with Mussolini in control. The Italian Social Republic issued a small number of stamps before Mussolini was captured in 1945 and all of Italy was liberated. This set showing destroyed monuments and a drummer calling people “to arms” is one of the few reminders of this short-lived World War II regime. (Italian Social Republic #18-21)