Video: 'Hitler & Mussolini at Brenner Pass - 1940 | Today In History | 18 Mar 17'

(Monday, March 18, 1940, morning local time; during World War II) — German Führer Adolf Hitler and Italian Duce Benito Mussolini met today at the Brenner Pass in the Alps to celebrate their Pact of Steel, a military and political alliance between Italy and Germany.

Hitler made it clear that German troops were poised to launch an offensive in the west and that Mussolini would have to decide whether Italy would join in the attack or not.

Video: 'Hitler & Mussolini Meet (1940)'

Since Italy was still not ready for war, Mussolini suggested that the offensive could be delayed a few more months, to which Hitler replied that Germany was not altering its plans to suit Italy.

The two agreed that Italy would come into the war in due course.