Pietro Gazzera

Pietro Gazzera (1879 - 1953) was an officer in the Italian Royal Army during World War II as well as a prewar Italian politician.

In 1928, starting as the Under-Secretary in the Ministry of War, Gazzera was the Minister of War from 1929 to 1933. [Time Magazine, [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,744234,00.html Retort] ] From 12 August 1938 to 6 July 1941, Gazzera was the Governor of Galla-Sidama in Ethiopia.

General Gazzera commanded forces in the "Southern Sector" (Galla and Sidama area around Jimma) during the East African Campaign. After the fall of Amba Alagi in May 1941, Gazzera succeeded Amedeo, Duke of Aosta as the acting Viceroy and Governor-General of Italian East Africa. After Jimma fell on 21 June, Gazzera staged a mobile defense and held out in the Galla and Sidama area. His forces did not capitulate until July 1941 when he was cut off by the Free Belgian forces of Lieutenant-General Auguste-Éduard Gilliaert.

Command history

* Commanding Officer, Brigade Basilicata - 1926
* Commandant of War School - 1926
* General Officer Commanding, Division Genova - 1926 to 1928
* Under-Secretary Ministry of War - 1928 to 1929
* Minister of War - 1929 to 1933
* Governor of Galla and Sidama, Ethiopia - 1938 to 1941
* Member of the Commission for the Affairs of Italian Africa, Senate - 1939 to 1940
* General Officer Commanding, 24th Colonial Division - 1940 to 1941
* Acting Viceroy and Governor-General, Italian East Africa - 1941
* Prisoner of war - 1941 to 1943
* Commissioner for Prisoners of War - 1943 to 1945

ee also

* East African Campaign
* Italian Governors of Galla-Sidama

References