Italo Gariboldi

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Italo Gariboldi (born 20 April 1879, Lodi; died 3 February 1970, Rome) was a senior officer in the Italian Royal Army (Regio Esercito) before and during World War II.

Contents

[edit] Military career

From the end of World War I and through the interwar Period, Gariboldi rose in the ranks and held various staff, regimental, and brigade level commands.

[edit] Abyssinia

In 1935, Gariboldi commanded the 30th Infantry Division "Sabauda" on the northern front during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. His division was part of the I Corps based in Eritrea. After Italy defeated Ethiopia (Abyssinia) in 1936, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Italian Somaliland were joined to form the colony of Italian East Africa.

[edit] North Africa

From 1939 to 1941, Gariboldi was an army commander in Marshal of the Air Force (Maresciallo dell'Aria) Italo Balbo's "Supreme Command - North Africa." He ultimately commanded both armies in Italian Libya. Gariboldi first commanded the Italian 5th Army which was on the border with French Tunisia. After the Battle of France ended, his army became a source of men, parts, and supply for the Italian 10th Army on the border with Egypt.

Gariboldi was given command of the 10th Army after that army was vertually destroyed during Operation Compass. Later in 1941, he was promoted to Governor-General of Libya.

[edit] Russia

From 1942 to 1943, Gariboldi commanded the Italian Army in Russia (Armata Italiana in Russia, or ARMIR, or Italian 8th Army). He was in command of the Italian Army in Russia during the destruction of that army during the Battle of Stalingrad.

[edit] Italy

In 1943, Gariboldi was in Italy when King Victor Emmanuel III and Marshal Pietro Badoglio ousted dictator Benito Mussolini and then signed an armistice with the Allies. Like many Italian military, Gariboldi was made a prisoner of war (POW) by the Germans. In 1944, he was condemned to death as traitor.

Later in 1944, Gariboldi was liberated from prison by the Allies.

[edit] Military offices held

[edit] Personal

Gariboldi died at the age of 90 in Rome.

Gariboldi's son, Mario Gariboldi, followed his father in a military career.

[edit] See also

Preceded by
Rodolfo Graziani		 Governor-General of Libya
March 25, 1941—July 19, 1941		 Succeeded by
Ettore Bastico

[edit] References

  • Fellgiebel, Walther-Peer. Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Friedburg, Germany: Podzun-Pallas, 2000. ISBN 3-7909-0284-5.

[edit] External links

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