Mussolini - Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945) established a repressive fascist regime in Italy. He became a close ally of Adolf Hitler, whom he influenced. He entered the World War II in June, 1940 on the side of Nazi Germany. Three years later, the Allies invaded Italy. On April 27, 1945, Mussolini and his mistress attempted to escape to Switzerland, only to be captured. The next day, they were shot along with fifteen others. Their bodies were found hung upside down on meat hooks in Piazzale Loreto (Milan).