Final answer:
The Italian Campaign was aimed at defeating Axis forces in Italy, overthrowing Mussolini's regime, and weakening Germany's southern defenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The objective behind the Italian Campaign was to defeat Axis powers in Italy and open new fronts, distracting Germany. This military operation aimed at overthrowing Mussolini's fascist regime, weakening Germany's southern flank, and enabling the Allies to eventually advance into the heart of Nazi-occupied Europe.
The mountainous terrain and staunch Axis defenses turned the campaign into a drawn-out sequence of fierce battles, reminiscent of the trench warfare seen in World War I. Despite the slow and grueling progress, this strategic effort was essential in dissipating Axis resources and contributing to the broader objectives of World War II.
The campaign involved a year-long struggle just to capture Rome, with northern Italy only being liberated in the last weeks of the war in 1945. By engaging significant German forces in Italy, the Allies managed to divert attention and resources that could otherwise have been used to reinforce other fronts, such as Normandy following D-Day. The Italian Campaign also had the psychological benefit of signaling the decline of Axis power, given Mussolini's ousting and Italy's eventual surrender and cooperation with the Allies against Germany.