Editing Emilio Pucci (section)

==World War II==
In 1938, Pucci joined the [[Aeronautica Militare|Italian Air Force]], and served as an [[Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero|SM.79]] [[torpedo bomber]] pilot during World War II, rising to the rank of captain<ref name="NYT"/> and receiving decorations for valour.<ref name="CIA"/> During the war he became a confidant <!-- and lover?--> of [[Benito Mussolini]]'s eldest daughter, [[Edda Mussolini|Edda]],<ref name="CIA"/> and played a key role in a plan to save the life of her husband, Mussolini's former Foreign Minister, Count [[Galeazzo Ciano]], who was on trial for his part in the removal of Mussolini from power in 1943. The plan involved delivering some of Ciano's papers (which were highly critical of Mussolini) to the [[Gestapo]] so that they could be bartered for Ciano's life.<ref name="CIA"/>

After [[Adolf Hitler]] vetoed the scheme, Pucci drove Edda to the Swiss border on 9 January 1944 and ensured her escape.<ref name="CIA"/> Before departing, Edda wrote last pleas to Hitler, Mussolini, and General [[Wilhelm Harster]], the [[Sicherheitsdienst|SD]] commander in Italy, and Pucci delivered these letters to an intermediary. He then attempted to flee to Switzerland himself, but he was arrested and transported to San Vittore prison in Milan, where he was tortured by the Gestapo in a futile attempt to extract information. Pucci then managed to escape and reach Switzerland, where he remained until the end of the war.<ref name="ReedMagazine2014" />