'Student' (iii) was the German and Italian Fascist joint plan to reintroduce Fascism to Italy after the overthrow of Benito Mussolini on 25 July and the Italian armistice with the Allies on 9 September (late 1943).

This vain hope rested with the Fascist puppet government of the 'Salò Republic' (Repubblica Sociale Italiana, or Italian Socialist Republic) under Mussolini, established in northern Italy by the Germans after the 'Eiche' rescue of the Italian dictator.

On 15 September, three days after his rescue in the Gran Sasso raid, Mussolini was taken to Germany for a meeting with Hitler in Rastenburg at his East Prussian headquarters. While Mussolini was in poor health and wanted to retire, Hitler wanted him to return to Italy and set up a new Fascist state. When Mussolini baulked, Hitler threatened to destroy Milan, Genoa and Turin unless Mussolini concurred, and with reluctance Mussolini agreed to Hitler’s demands.

The Repubblica Sociale Italiana was therefore proclaimed on 18 September, with Mussolini as head of state and prime minister. The RSI claimed Rome as its de iure capital, but the de facto capital became the small town of Salò on Lake Garda, mid-way between Milan and Venice. It was here that Mussolini resided along with the RSI’s foreign office. Neither the Germans nor Mussolini himself wanted the Italian leader to return to Rome.