Chapter Four
THE YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS:  II/"THE~.' G.I.L.'
important change in the youth organizations was
brought about by the decree-law of 27 October 1937
enacting the foundation of the Gioventu Italiana del
Littorio (G.I.L.). This gave a more unified frame to all forma-
tions of the young Fascists, bringing under the same command all
sections of the O.N.B., and the Giovani Fascisti and Giovani
Fasciste. Their military character was given greater prominence
by making instruction in war weapons for boys over eleven years
of age an essential part of their activities; the control of all young
people was handed over to the Fascist Party, to the exclusion of
the Ministry of National Education. As this development was
the last it may be useful to give a few details of the contents of the
decree-law.
The first article reads as follows: 'The G.I.L. is the one and
all-comprehensive organization of the juvenile forces of the
Fascist regime, in the framework of the Fascist National Party;
it is under the direct control of the Part}^7 Secretary, who is its
General Commander. The motto of the G.I.L. is: "Believe,
obey, fight"/ The end of the authority held by the Ministry of
National Education and the extent of the Party Secretary's power
are determined in the two following articles: 'The O.N.B. is ab-
sorbed into the G.I.L. and the powers formerly attributed to the
Minister for National Education will pass to the Secretary of the
Fascist Party, who has henceforward the authority to dictate and
change the rules for the organization and activities of the G.I.L.
in Italy, Italian Africa, and the Dodecanese.' All members have
to take the oath of allegiance to the Duce: *In the name of God
and Italy I swear that I will carry out the Duce's orders and serve
with all my strength and, if need be, with my life the cause of the
Fascist revolution.'
The aims set dow^rn in Article 5 did not differ substantially
from those of the O.N.B. and the Giovani Fascisti. The new
* hierarchy' included: (a) the Commandant General, in the
person of the Secretary of the Fascist Party; (b) two Vice-Com-
mandant Generals; (c) the Head of the General Staff; (d) the
Vice-Head of the General Staff; (e) one Federal Commandant in
each province, in the person of the provincial Secretary of the
Fascist Party; (/) one Federal Vice-Commandant for the Giovani
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