Enzo Galbiati

Enzo Galbiati

Italian military leader, general
Date of Birth: 23.05.1897
Country: Italy

Content:
  1. Enzo Emilio Galbiati
  2. Gastone Gambara

Enzo Emilio Galbiati

Enzo Emilio Galbiati (May 23, 1897 - ?) was an Italian military leader who played a prominent role in the fascist movement. In 1920, he established the first fascist squads in Monza. Later, he held high positions within the fascist militia (MVSN), including Commander of the Group of the Roman Legions in 1933 and Commander of the "Vittorio Veneto" Legion in 1935.

During the campaign against Greece in World War II, Galbiati commanded units of Blackshirts for the 11th Army (1940-41) and a separate group of Blackshirts (1941). From May 25, 1941, to July 25, 1943, he served as Chief of Staff of the MVSN. He attempted to include representatives of the MVSN in the Italian Army's General Staff but faced resistance from Ugo Cavallero. Galbiati was also a member of the Grand Fascist Council.

At the meeting of the Grand Fascist Council on July 25, 1943, which resulted in the dismissal of Mussolini, Galbiati opposed the decision. In the final vote, he cast his ballot against Dino Grandi's resolution. After the meeting, he suggested to Mussolini that he immediately arrest the traitors, but Mussolini rejected the proposal.

Gastone Gambara

Gastone Gambara (December 10, 1891 - 1962) was an Italian military leader who rose to the rank of Army General. A veteran of World War I, he graduated from the Higher War School in 1927. During the Spanish Civil War, Gambara commanded the staff of the Italian expeditionary forces (Corpo di Truppe Volontarie) from 1937-38 and served as their commander from 1938-39. After the end of the Civil War in 1939, he became Italy's ambassador to Madrid.

During the campaign in France in 1940, Gambara commanded the XV Corps. In the crisis that emerged during the Greek campaign of 1941, he was appointed Commander of the VIII Corps in February 1941, which fought as part of General Carlo Geloso's 11th Army. In 1941, Gambara was transferred to North Africa, where he became Chief of Staff to Commander-in-Chief of Italian forces General Ettore Bastico. With Bastico effectively absent from operational leadership, Gambara assumed de facto command of Italian forces in North Africa.

From 1941, he commanded the XX Motorized Corps in North Africa. In mid-1941, the corps included the 132nd "Ariete" Tank Division and the 101st "Trieste" Motorized Division. In 1942, he was recalled from Africa and appointed Commander of the XI Corps, which carried out occupation duties in Slovenia. A staunch supporter of the fascist movement, Gambara played an active role in the establishment of the military forces of the Italian Social Republic (RSI). From 1943-45, he served as Chief of General Staff of the RSI army.

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