Annibale Bergonzoli
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Annibale Bergonzoli, nicknamed "Electric Beard," (1884-1973) was an Italian Lieutenant General during Spanish Civil War and World War II. He commanded the defences of Bardia, Libya, after the short offensive into Egypt made by Rodolfo Graziani. At the end of 1940, a British offensive called Operation Compass, led by General Richard O'Connor, took Bardia forcing the Italians to retreat into Cirenaica. Bergonzoli continued to command the XXIII Corps of the Italian Tenth Army during the retreat. In February 1941, after the disastrous defeat at Beda Fomm, Bergonzoli surrendered to Australian forces.
[edit] Career
- 1928- Commanding Officer 78th Regiment Toscana
- Commanding Officer 6th Regiment Aosta
- Commandant Reserve Officer School at Palermo
- 1935- Commanding Officer 2nd Celere Brigade Emanuele Filiberto Testa di Ferro
- 1937-1938 General Officer Commanding 133rd Armoured Division, Littorio, Spain.
- 1940-1941 General Officer, Commanding XXIII Corps, North Africa.
- 1941-1946 Prisoner of War
