Germany’s main European ally in World War II was Italy. Fascist Italy, ruled by Benito Mussolini, formed the core of the European Axis partnership with Nazi Germany, while Japan completed the best-known three-power alliance.
The relationship was formalized through the Pact of Steel, signed by Germany and Italy on 22 May 1939. In 1940, the Tripartite Pact linked Germany, Italy, and Japan and gave the Axis its familiar structure. Italy entered the war in June 1940, attacking British and French positions in the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Italy was an important partner, but its military performance was uneven. German forces repeatedly supported Italian operations, especially in North Africa and the Balkans. After Italy surrendered to the Allies in September 1943, Germany occupied much of northern and central Italy and installed the Italian Social Republic, a German-backed puppet government.
Japan was also a principal Axis power, but it was Germany’s major partner outside Europe. Finland, Spain, and Romania had varying degrees of cooperation with Germany, yet Italy is the standard answer to this broad quiz question.