Pietro Maletti
Encyclopedia
Pietro Maletti was an Italian military officer who participated in World War I
, the subjugation of Italian North Africa
, the Italo-Abyssinian War
, and World War II
. He was killed in action
during the early stages of the North Africa Campaign.
, Province of Mantua
, Lombardy
, Kingdom of Italy
.
In 1898, Maletti volunteered for the Italian Royal Army (Regio Esercito). In 1904, he was admitted to the Military Academy in Modena
.
In 1909, Maletti was promoted to Lieutenant
(Tenente) and, in 1914, he was promoted to Captain (Capitano).
but, in August 1917, he was sent to Libya
. With only a few brief postings elsewhere, Maletti remained in Italian North Africa
(Africa Settentrionale Italiana, or ASI) until 1934 to quell Libyan resistance
there. In 1926, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel (Tenente Colonnello) and, in November of that year, Maletti returned to Italy for a short period of time. In 1931,may be after his participation in the campaign aiming Kufra
under Rodolfo Graziani
in January that year, he was promoted to Colonel
(Colonnello).
for the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. He fought throughout the campaign on the "southern front" under the overall command of General
Rodolfo Graziani
. Maletti earned a promotion to Brigadier-General (Generale di Brigata).
Prior to the Battle of Genale Doria
, Maletti commanded a flying column
which was sent to attack a group of retreating Ethiopians. His pursuit ended when the Ethiopians were joined by a relief column and then turned on Maletti. Both sides claimed victory after some confused fighting.
After Ethiopia was defeated, Maletti stayed in Italian East Africa
(Africa Orientale Italiana, or AOI) until April 1937. He assumed the command of the 2nd Colonial Brigade.
(Generale di divisione
). In 1939, he was intended to assume command of the 28 Infantry Division Aosta
.
On 10 June 1940, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini
declared war on Britain
and France. On 22 June, France fell and signed an armistice
. British-occupied Egypt
became the focus of the Italian forces in Libya. Maletti was diverted from his intended command and returned to North Africa
(Africa Settentrionale). In Libya, he took command of a special ad hoc
grouping of motorized infantry and tanks which was called the "Maletti Group
" (Raggruppamento Maletti).
In September 1940, Maletti commanded this ad hoc group during the Italian invasion of Egypt
. After initially becoming lost whilst making his way to the staging area, he advanced into Egypt and occupied fortified positions near Sidi Barrani
.
On 9 December 1940, Maletti was killed in action at the fortified Nibeiwa Camp when British forces counterattack
ed during the early stages of Operation Compass
. The destruction of the Maletti Group is described by Walker in Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts:
Walker's indication that none of the Italian artillery were able to penetrate the armour of the Matilda tanks contrasts with research by Sadkovich, who affirmed that the Maletti Group's anti-amour guns were able to destroy 35 out of 57 Matildas prior to their own destruction.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the subjugation of Italian North Africa
History of Libya as Italian Colony
The History of Libya as an Italian colony began in the 1910s and lasted until February 1947, when Italy officially lost all the colonies of the former Italian Empire.-First years:...
, the Italo-Abyssinian War
Italo-Abyssinian War
Two conflicts between Italy and Ethiopia are known as the Italo-Abyssinian War:* The First Italo-Abyssinian War of 1895–1896 resulted in a victory for the Ethiopians and internation recognition of their empire by the great powers of the time.* The Second Italo-Abyssinian War of...
, and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He was killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
during the early stages of the North Africa Campaign.
Early life
Pietro Maletti was born in Castiglione delle StiviereCastiglione delle Stiviere
Castiglione delle Stiviere is a town and comune in the province of Mantua, in Lombardy, Italy, 30 km northwest of Mantua by road.-History:During the War of the Spanish Succession, the French under the duc de Vendôme occupied it....
, Province of Mantua
Province of Mantua
The Province of Mantua is a province in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Its capital is the city of Mantua.-Communes:It includes 70 comuni , ranging in area from Viadana, with 102.19 km², to Mariana Mantovana, with 8.81 km²....
, Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
, Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)
The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state...
.
In 1898, Maletti volunteered for the Italian Royal Army (Regio Esercito). In 1904, he was admitted to the Military Academy in Modena
Modena
Modena is a city and comune on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy....
.
In 1909, Maletti was promoted to Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
(Tenente) and, in 1914, he was promoted to Captain (Capitano).
World War I and Libya
Maletti participated in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
but, in August 1917, he was sent to Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
. With only a few brief postings elsewhere, Maletti remained in Italian North Africa
Italian North Africa
Italian North Africa was the aggregate of territories and colonies controlled by Italy in North Africa from 1911 until World War II...
(Africa Settentrionale Italiana, or ASI) until 1934 to quell Libyan resistance
Libyan resistance movement
The Libyan resistance movement was the resistance movement against the Italian colonization of Libya.-History:It was initially led by Omar Mukhtar , who was from the tribe of Mnifa, born in a small village called Janzour located in the eastern part of Barqa...
there. In 1926, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel (Tenente Colonnello) and, in November of that year, Maletti returned to Italy for a short period of time. In 1931,may be after his participation in the campaign aiming Kufra
Kufra
Kufra is a basin and oasis group in Al Kufrah District, southeastern Cyrenaica in Libya. Kufra is historically important above all because at the end of nineteenth century it became the center and holy place of the Senussi order...
under Rodolfo Graziani
Rodolfo Graziani
Rodolfo Graziani, 1st Marquis of Neghelli , was an officer in the Italian Regio Esercito who led military expeditions in Africa before and during World War II.-Rise to prominence:...
in January that year, he was promoted to Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
(Colonnello).
Ethiopia
In May 1934, Maletti again returned to Italy. But, in January 1935, he was transferred to Italian SomalilandItalian Somaliland
Italian Somaliland , also known as Italian Somalia, was a colony of the Kingdom of Italy from the 1880s until 1936 in the region of modern-day Somalia. Ruled in the 19th century by the Somali Sultanate of Hobyo and the Majeerteen Sultanate, the territory was later acquired by Italy through various...
for the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. He fought throughout the campaign on the "southern front" under the overall command of General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Rodolfo Graziani
Rodolfo Graziani
Rodolfo Graziani, 1st Marquis of Neghelli , was an officer in the Italian Regio Esercito who led military expeditions in Africa before and during World War II.-Rise to prominence:...
. Maletti earned a promotion to Brigadier-General (Generale di Brigata).
Prior to the Battle of Genale Doria
Battle of Genale Doria
The Battle of Genale Doria was a battle on the "southern front" fought during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. The battle consisted almost entirely of air attacks by the Italian Royal Air Force against an advancing and then withdrawing Ethiopian army under Ras Desta Damtu...
, Maletti commanded a flying column
Flying column
A flying column is a small, independent, military land unit capable of rapid mobility and usually composed of all arms. It is often an ad hoc unit, formed during the course of operations....
which was sent to attack a group of retreating Ethiopians. His pursuit ended when the Ethiopians were joined by a relief column and then turned on Maletti. Both sides claimed victory after some confused fighting.
After Ethiopia was defeated, Maletti stayed in Italian East Africa
Italian East Africa
Italian East Africa was an Italian colonial administrative subdivision established in 1936, resulting from the merger of the Ethiopian Empire with the old colonies of Italian Somaliland and Italian Eritrea. In August 1940, British Somaliland was conquered and annexed to Italian East Africa...
(Africa Orientale Italiana, or AOI) until April 1937. He assumed the command of the 2nd Colonial Brigade.
World War II
In June 1938, Maletti was promoted to the rank of Major GeneralMajor General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
(Generale di divisione
Italian Army Ranks
This chart represents the Italian Army rank insignia used on the slip-on of winter service uniforms. The color of the uniforms is khaki.Officers who are assigned to a position acting in a higher rank than their own wear the insignia of the higher rank but the highest star of the insignia is trimmed...
). In 1939, he was intended to assume command of the 28 Infantry Division Aosta
28 Infantry Division Aosta
The 28 Infantry Division Aosta was a Infantry Division of the Italian Army during World War II. The Aosta Division was mobilized June 1940, and stationed in Sicily...
.
On 10 June 1940, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
declared war on Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and France. On 22 June, France fell and signed an armistice
Armistice with France (Second Compiègne)
The Second Armistice at Compiègne was signed at 18:50 on 22 June 1940 near Compiègne, in the department of Oise, between Nazi Germany and France...
. British-occupied Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
became the focus of the Italian forces in Libya. Maletti was diverted from his intended command and returned to North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
(Africa Settentrionale). In Libya, he took command of a special ad hoc
Ad hoc
Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. Compare A priori....
grouping of motorized infantry and tanks which was called the "Maletti Group
Maletti Group
The Maletti Group was an ad hoc "mechanized" unit formed by the Italian Royal Army in Italian North Africa during the initial stages of the Western Desert Campaign of World War II...
" (Raggruppamento Maletti).
In September 1940, Maletti commanded this ad hoc group during the Italian invasion of Egypt
Italian invasion of Egypt
The Italian Invasion of Egypt was an Italian offensive action against British, Commonwealth and Free French forces during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. Initially, the goal of the offensive was to seize the Suez Canal. To accomplish this, Italian forces from Libya would have...
. After initially becoming lost whilst making his way to the staging area, he advanced into Egypt and occupied fortified positions near Sidi Barrani
Sidi Barrani
Sidi Barrani is a town in Egypt, near the Mediterranean Sea, about east of the border with Libya, and around from Tobruk, Libya.Probably named after Sidi Mohammed el Barrani, a Senussi fighter in the early 1900s, the village is mainly a Bedouin community...
.
On 9 December 1940, Maletti was killed in action at the fortified Nibeiwa Camp when British forces counterattack
Counterattack
A counterattack is a tactic used in response against an attack. The term originates in military strategy. The general objective is to negate or thwart the advantage gained by the enemy in attack and the specific objectives are usually to regain lost ground or to destroy attacking enemy units.It is...
ed during the early stages of Operation Compass
Operation Compass
Operation Compass was the first major Allied military operation of the Western Desert Campaign during World War II. British and Commonwealth forces attacked Italian forces in western Egypt and eastern Libya in December 1940 to February 1941. The attack was a complete success...
. The destruction of the Maletti Group is described by Walker in Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts:
Walker's indication that none of the Italian artillery were able to penetrate the armour of the Matilda tanks contrasts with research by Sadkovich, who affirmed that the Maletti Group's anti-amour guns were able to destroy 35 out of 57 Matildas prior to their own destruction.
See also
- Military history of Italy during World War IIMilitary history of Italy during World War IIDuring World War II , the Kingdom of Italy had a varied and tumultuous military history. Defeated in Greece, France, East Africa and North Africa, the Italian invasion of British Somaliland was one of the only successful Italian campaigns of World War II accomplished without German support.In...
- Royal Italian Army (1940–1946)Royal Italian Army (1940–1946)This article is about the Italian Royal Army which participated in World War II.The Italian Royal Army was reformed in 1861 and lasted until 1946. The Royal Army started with the unification of Italy and the formation of the Kingdom of Italy . It ended with the dissolution of the monarchy...