Badoglio served with distinction during the First World War. After the war he became Chief of Staff, Governor of Libya and Viceroy of Eithiopia. He resigned as Chief of Staff after the defeat of Italian forces in Greece in December 1940. From 1942 Badoglio was a key conspirator against Mussolini and in July 1943 succeeded him. He signed the armistice with the Allied forces in September 1943.