It was January of 1927.

Winston Churchill, the great historian, visited Rome and met with Benito Mussolini, the Fascist Dictator.

Here’s what he said:

"I could not help being charmed by Signor Mussolini’s gentle and simple bearing and by his calm, detached poise in spite of so many burdens and dangers".

Churchill made the point that Italian fascism had demonstrated that there was a way to combat subversive forces;  it had provided the "necessary antidote to the Russian virus".

He also said, "If I had been an Italian, I am sure I would have been entirely with you from the beginning to the end of your victorious struggle against the bestial appetites and passions of Leninism".

Was Churchill a Fascist?