Cesare Airaghi | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | Milan, Lombardy–Venetia, Austria | 4 October 1840
Died | March 1, 1896 55) Adwa, Tigray, Ethiopia | (aged
Allegiance | ![]() ![]() |
Branch | ![]() ![]() |
Years of service | 1859 – 1896 |
Rank | ![]() |
Battles/wars | Second Italian War of Independence Third Italian War of Independence Contents |
Alma mater | University of Pavia |
Cesare Airaghi was an Italian colonel and war hero who participated in several conflicts during the 19th century. Airaghi participated in the Second Italian War of Independence, the Third Italian War of Independence and the First Italo-Ethiopian War before being killed at the Battle of Adwa.
Cesare was born on 4 October 1840, as the son of Giovanni Battista and Marietta Lattuada at Milan. [1] [2] When he was 14, his father was killed and Cesare was forced to be responsible for his family's finance. While attending the University of Pavia, Airaghi enlisted in the 9th Infantry Regiment and participated in the Second Italian War of Independence. He was appointed as Second Lieutenant of the 17th Infantry Division and fought at the Battle of Palestro. After the war, Airaghi resumed his studies at the University of Pavia and eventually graduated as an engineer. [1]
Airaghi was promoted to Lieutenant on 17 June 1861, while at the 28th Infantry Regiment and to captain on 14 July 1866. He then participated in the Third Italian War of Independence and fought the Austrians at Borgosatollo and Levico. After the war, he returned to the 28th Infantry Regiment from 1874 to March 1878 and two months later, he was promoted to major. He then proceeded to work as a tactical teacher at the Royal Academy of Turin in July 1883 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1884. Around 1888, Airaghi was given command of the 77th Infantry Regiment and promoted to Colonel in October 1888. Around September 1889, Airaghi was sent to Eritrea and stationed at the Asmara–Keren area before being transferred to Massawa. In January 1890, he took part in an expedition to Ethiopia under the command of Baldassarre Orero before returning to the Italian mainland in October of the same year. He was then given command of the 36th Infantry Regiment but left on 1 August 1893, following a request to become a auxiliary. [1]
On 13 January 1896, Airaghi was called to Eritrea to participate in the First Italo-Ethiopian War as he commanded the 6th African Infantry Regiment as part of the 2nd Brigade of the Right column. On the evening of 29 February, Airaghi began his march towards Adwa, reaching the Rebbi Arienni on March 1. [3] During the Battle of Adwa, he conducted repeated assaults on the Ethiopian forces with enthusiasm and courage. [4] Despite his success at keeping the Ethiopian forces back, they were beginning to outnumber Airaghi's regiment and they surrounded and he was killed in the fighting. [1] Airaghi was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor on 1 March 1896, for his command at Adwa and a plaque was placed in Milan in memory. [4] [2] [5]
Giuseppe Galliano was an officer of the Royal Italian Army, mostly known for his role during the First Italo-Ethiopian War. He perished in the Battle of Adwa and was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valour.
Giovanni Romero was an Italian colonel who participated in several conflicts during the 19th century. He participated in the Second Italian War of Independence and the Third Italian War of Independence, most notably leading the 4th Africa Infantry Regiment during the Battle of Adwa of the First Italo-Ethiopian War before being killed at the battle. Romero was also a posthumous recipient of the Gold Medal of Military Valour.
Raffaele Aversa was an Italian soldier and Resistance member, most notable for having carried out the arrest of Benito Mussolini after his dismissal as Prime Minister of Italy on 25 July 1943.
Enrico Francisci was an Italian Blackshirt general during World War II.
Vito Artale was an Italian general during World War II.
Augusto Ugolini was an officer in the Royal Italian Army during World War II, best known for his leadership during the battle of Culqualber, for which he was awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor.
Vittorio Moccagatta was an Italian naval officer during World War II. He commanded the Decima Flottiglia MAS, the special operations unit of the Royal Italian Navy, from September 1940 until his death in action on 26 July 1941.
Pietro Zaglio was an Italian general during World War II.
Carlo Melotti was an Italian general during World War II.
Domenico Turitto was an Italian major who was part of the Royal Colonial Corps of Eritrea. He participated in the Mahdist War as he commanded the 1st Indigenous Infantry Battalion, occupying the city of Kassala and distinguishing himself at the Battle of Kassala. During the First Italo-Ethiopian War, Turitto commanded the vanguard of the Indigenous brigade under the command of Matteo Albertone before being killed in the battle. He was also a recipient of the Silver and Bronze Medals of Military Valor and a knight of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.
Luigi Nava was an Italian General of the Army who participated in the First Italo-Ethiopian War and World War I. He participated in the Italian colonial campaign in the Horn of Africa which lead to his participation at the Battle of Adwa, where he was wounded and taken prisoner by the Abyssinians. Having become Lieutenant General, at the action of the general mobilization of 1915 he was appointed commander of the 4th Army but was dismissed from the command four months after Italy entered the war.
Umberto Masotto (1864-1896) was an Italian Captain who served in the First Italo-Ethiopian War. He commanded the 4th Mountain Artillery Battery during the Battle of Adwa but was more famously known for being the first field gunner to receive the Gold Medal of Military Valour.
Davide Menini was an Italian Lieutenant Colonel of the First Italo-Ethiopian War. He participated in the Battle of Custoza of the Third Italian War of Independence and commanded the 1st Africa Alpini Battalion during the Battle of Adwa before being killed in the battle.
Trentino La Barba was an Italian soldier and Resistance fighter during World War II.
Francesco De Rosa was an Italian major of the First Italo-Ethiopian War. He commanded the 1st Artillery Brigade during the Battle of Adwa and was a posthumous recipient of the Gold Medal of Military Valor for his brave service in the battle before being killed in action.
Alfeo Brandimarte was an Italian naval officer and Resistance member during World War II.
Giuseppe Cigala Fulgosi was an Italian naval officer during World War II.
Leopoldo Cesare Prato was an Italian major of the First Italo-Ethiopian War. He commanded the 6th African Infantry Battalion during the Battle of Adwa before being killed in the battle. He was also a posthumous recipient of the Gold Medal of Military Valor for his service in the battle.
Giuseppe Antonio Baudoin was an Italian major of the Third Italian War of Independence and the First Italo-Ethiopian War. He commanded the 9th Africa Infantry Battalion during the Battle of Adwa before being killed in the battle. He was a posthumous recipient of the Gold Medal of Military Valor for his service in the battle.
Alfonso Torelli was an Italian General who was killed in a battle against Libyan rebels.