Italo Balbo

Italo Balbo

Italian military and political figure, Air Marshal of Italy
Date of Birth: 05.06.1896
Country: Italy

Biography of Italo Balbo

Italo Balbo was an Italian military and political figure, serving as the Marshal of Aviation of Italy. He was one of the leaders of the Blackshirts and the only Marshal of Aviation in Italy. Balbo held significant positions such as the Governor-General of Italian Libya and the Supreme Commander of Italian North Africa from January 1, 1934, to June 28, 1940. He was also a close associate and the designated successor of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

Italo Balbo

Early Life and Military Service
From an early age, Italo Balbo demonstrated a high level of political activity. At the age of 14, he participated in the Albanian uprisings under the guidance of Ricciotti Garibaldi, the son of Giuseppe Garibaldi. When World War I began, Italy declared its neutrality, but Balbo actively supported Italy's involvement in the war on the side of the Allies. He participated in protests in support of the war and, in 1915, joined the 8th Alpine Regiment. Balbo later applied for a transfer to the aviation division before the bloody Battle of Caporetto, but his request was unsuccessful. Although he did not participate in the battle, he returned to service and distinguished himself in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. He was awarded the bronze and silver medals for bravery under enemy fire and ended the war with the rank of captain.

Italo Balbo

Political Career
After the war, Balbo continued his studies in social disciplines in Florence and worked in a bank. In 1921, he joined the newly established National Fascist Party and quickly rose to become the secretary of the Ferrara branch. Balbo organized several bands of Blackshirts, including his own group called Chelibano, named after his favorite liqueur. Chelibano was involved in dispersing socialist demonstrations and strikes. By 1922, Italo Balbo became one of the "Ras," the top leaders of the fascist movement. He was the youngest of the "Quadrumvirs," the four organizers of the famous March on Rome. After the fascists came to power, Balbo, as one of the Quadrumvirs, became a founder of the Great Fascist Council. However, he was accused of murdering an anti-fascist priest, which slightly hindered his career. Nonetheless, in 1924, he was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the squadristi, and in 1925, he became the deputy minister of national economy.

Aviation Career
Despite having no prior flight experience or knowledge of aviation, Italo Balbo was appointed Undersecretary of State for Aviation in Italy on November 6, 1926. After completing a flight training course and familiarizing himself with the basics of aviation, Balbo began establishing the Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica Italia). In 1928, he was promoted to General of Aviation, and in 1929, he became the Minister of Aviation. In this period, Italy experienced a surge of interest in aeronautics. Notable achievements included the outstanding flight from Italy to Australia, Japan, and back by Francesco de Pinedo in 1925, Mario De Bernardi winning the Schneider Trophy in 1926, and the famous expedition of the airship "Italia" led by Umberto Nobile in 1928. Italo Balbo also contributed to Italian aviation history by leading two transatlantic flights with fleets of seaplanes. In late 1930, twelve seaplanes flew from Italy to Brazil, and in 1933, twenty-four seaplanes made a significant transatlantic journey from Rome to Chicago. During his visit to the United States, Balbo dined with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was awarded the Cross for Aeronautical Merit. He delivered a memorable speech in Madison Square Garden, proclaiming, "Be proud that you are Italians. With the arrival of Mussolini, the era of humiliation is over!" Upon his return to Rome, Balbo received the title of Marshal of Aviation.

Tragic Death
On June 28, 1940, Balbo embarked on a flight to Tobruk on an SM79 aircraft. Tragically, the plane was mistakenly shot down by Italian anti-aircraft fire, resulting in the death of Balbo and all aboard.

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