World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe WW1 veteran of Libya and Italy Rodolfo Graziani was born near Frosinone. He made a name for himself during the interwar years, solidifying his support in the military and on the political scene. In 1935, he was made the governor of Italian Somaliland, then in the following year he was made the Viceroy of Abyssinia with the military title of Marshal, in which role he was known for the brutal pacification of the Senussi rebels.

ww2dbaseDuring the North African Campaign early in WW2 Graziani commanded the Italian 10th Army in Libya where he also reigned as the Italian governor. Under orders from Rome, which he voiced opinion against, he invaded the British colony of Egypt and was eventually defeated in 1941. He resigned his command but continued to be valued by Benito Mussolini. After Italy capitulated in 1943, Mussolini fled to northern Italy and formed the Italian Social Republic with German support; Graziani was named the Minister of Defense of the German puppet government.

ww2dbaseAfter the war, Graziani was charged with high treason for his dealings with members of the Nazi Party post-1943. He was convicted in 1950 and was sentenced to 19 years in prison but only served several months of the sentence. He died in Rome in 1955.

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Rodolfo Graziani Timeline