Graziani, Rodolfo

Autor: Graziani, Rodolfo
Rok: 1882-1955

Biogr./Hist. údaje: Maršál.
Zdroj: Autoritní databáze Národní knihovny ČR

Rodolfo Graziani, 1st Marquis of Neghelli (August 11, 1882 – January 11, 1955), was a prominent Italian military officer in the Kingdom of Italy's Regio Esercito (Royal Army), primarily noted for his campaigns in Africa before and during World War II. A dedicated fascist, he was a key figure in the Italian military during the reign of Benito Mussolini.Graziani played an important role in the consolidation and expansion of Italy's colonial empire during the 1920s and 30s, first in Libya and then in Ethiopia. He became infamous for repressive measures that led to high loss of life among civilians. In February 1937, after an assassination attempt during a ceremony in Addis Ababa, Graziani authorized a period of brutal retribution now known as Yekatit 12. Shortly after Italy entered World War II he returned to Libya as the commander of troops in Italian North Africa but resigned after the 1940-41 British offensive routed his forces. Following the 25 Luglio coup, he was the only Marshal of Italy who remained loyal to Mussolini and was named the Minister of Defense of the Italian Social Republic, commanding its army and returning to active service against the Allies for the rest of the war.Despite a well-documented history of war crimes, Graziani was never prosecuted by the United Nations War Crimes Commission; he was included on its list of Italians eligible to be prosecuted for war crimes, but Ethiopian attempts to bring him to trial were met with stonewalling from Italy and Britain. In 1948, an Italian court sentenced him to 19 years' imprisonment for collaboration with the Nazis, but he was released after serving only four months.