Timeline of the Second Italo–Abyssinian War
Encyclopedia
The following is a timeline relating to the Second Italo–Abyssinian War to the end of 1936. A number of related political and military events followed until 1942, but these have been omitted.
1930
- Italy builds a fort at Walwal, an oasis in the OgadenOgadenOgaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...
, as part of their gradual encroachment into what had been generally considered Ethiopian territory.
1934
- September 29: Italy and Ethiopia release a joint statement refuting any aggression between each other.
- November 23: An Anglo–Ethiopian boundary commission discovers the Italian force at Walwal. British members of the delegation soon retire to avoid an international incident.
- December 5: Tensions result in a border clash at Walwal.
- December 6: Abyssinia protests Italian aggression at Walwal.
- December 8: Italy demands apology for Walwal incident.
1935
- January 3: Ethiopia appeals to the League of NationsLeague of NationsThe League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
for arbitration into the Walwal incident. - January 7: On Pierre LavalPierre LavalPierre Laval was a French politician. He was four times President of the council of ministers of the Third Republic, twice consecutively. Following France's Armistice with Germany in 1940, he served twice in the Vichy Regime as head of government, signing orders permitting the deportation of...
's visit to Rome, the French and Italians sign a pact which, among other conditions, allows Italy a free hand in dealing with Ethiopia in exchange for Italian support against German aggression. - February 23: Benito MussoliniBenito MussoliniBenito 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....
sends Emilio De BonoEmilio De BonoEmilio De Bono was an Italian General, fascist activist, Marshal, and member of the Fascist Grand Council . De Bono fought in the Italo-Turkish War, World War I, and the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.-Early life:De Bono was born in Cassano d'Adda...
to EritreaEritreaEritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
and Rodolfo GrazianiRodolfo GrazianiRodolfo 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:...
to Italian SomalilandItalian SomalilandItalian 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...
along with 100,000 Italian troops to prepare for invasion. - March 8: Ethiopia again requests arbitration and notes Italian military build-up.
- March 13: Italy and Ethiopia agree on a neutral zone in the Ogaden.
- March 17: Ethiopia again appeals to the League due to Italian build-up.
- March 22: The Italians yield to pressure from the League of Nations for arbitration into the Walwal incident.
- May 11: Ethiopia again protests the Italian mobilization.
- May 20 – 21: The League of Nations holds a special session to discuss the crisis in Ethiopia.
- May 25: League council resolves to meet if no fifth arbitrator has been selected by June 25, or if a settlement isn't reached by August 25.
- June 19: Ethiopia requests neutral observers.
- June 23 – 24: Britain sends Anthony EdenAnthony EdenRobert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC was a British Conservative politician, who was Prime Minister from 1955 to 1957...
to offer concessions about Ethiopia, they are rejected by Italy. - June 25: Italian and Ethiopian officials meet in the Hague to discuss arbitration.
- July 9: The discussions fall apart.
- July 25: Britain declares an arms embargo on both Italy and Ethiopia.
- July 26: The League confirms that no fifth member has been selected.
- August 3: The League limits arbitration talks to matters except for the sovereignty of Walwal. They are to meet again on September 4 to examine relations between the two countries.
- August 12: Abyssinia pleads for arms embargo to be lifted.
- August 16: France and Britain offer Italy large concessions in Ethiopia to avert war which are rejected.
- August 22: Britain reaffirms its embargo on armaments.
- September 3: The League exonerates both Italy and Ethiopia of the Walwal incident since both powers believed it was within their border.
- September 10: Pierre Laval, Anthony Eden and Sir Samuel Hoare agree on limitations to Italian sanctions.
- September 25: Ethiopia again asks for neutral observers.
- September 28: Ethiopia begins to mobilize its large, but poorly-equipped, army.
- October 3: Italy invades Ethiopia. Italian forces under De Bono advance from Eritrea into northern EthiopiaDe Bono's invasion of AbyssiniaDe Bono's invasion of Abyssinia took place during the opening stages of the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. Italian General Emilio De Bono invaded northern Abyssinia from staging areas in the Italian colony of Eritrea on what was known as the "northern front."...
. Italian forces under Graziani stand ready to advance from Italian Somaliland into southern Ethiopia. Italy is condemned by the League for attacking without formal declaration of warDeclaration of warA declaration of war is a formal act by which one nation goes to war against another. The declaration is a performative speech act by an authorized party of a national government in order to create a state of war between two or more states.The legality of who is competent to declare war varies...
. - October 5: The northern Italian army captures AdigratAdigratAdigrat is a city in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Located in the Misraqawi Zone at longitude and latitude with an elevation of 2457 meters above sea level, below a high ridge to the west, Adigrat is the last important Ethiopian city south of the border with Eritrea, and is considered to be a...
. - October 6: The northern Italian army captures Adowa.
- October 7: The League of Nations declares Italy the aggressor, prepares to set sanctions against it.
- October 11: League members voted to impose sanctions unless Italy withdraws.
- October 14: De Bono issues a proclamation ordering the suppression of slavery in Ethiopia.
- October 15: The northern Italian army captures AxumAxumAxum or Aksum is a city in northern Ethiopia which was the original capital of the eponymous kingdom of Axum. Population 56,500 . Axum was a naval and trading power that ruled the region from ca. 400 BC into the 10th century...
. - October 18: Britain assures Italy it will not take independent action in the Mediterranean.
- November 6: Due to the cautious approach of General De Bono, Mussolini threatens to replace him.
- November 8: The northern Italian army captures Mekele.
- November 18: Sanctions go into effect against Italy. They do not include oil or steel.
- December 8: Hoare-Laval Plan is signed, which concedes two-thirds of Ethiopia to Italy.
- December 9: Hoare-Laval Plan is made public. It is rejected by Ethiopians and causes large political embarrassment in France and Britain.
- December 17: De Bono is replaced by MarshalMarshal of ItalyMarshal of Italy was a rank in the Italian Royal Army . Originally created in 1924 by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini for the purpose of honoring Generals Luigi Cadorna and Armando Diaz, the rank was granted to several other general officers from 1926 to 1943...
Pietro BadoglioPietro BadoglioPietro Badoglio, 1st Duke of Addis Abeba, 1st Marquess of Sabotino was an Italian soldier and politician...
as Commander in Chief of the entire operation and as the commander in the north. Soon after, Haile Selassie launches his "Christmas OffensiveEthiopian Christmas OffensiveThe Ethiopian Christmas Offensive took place during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. The Ethiopian offensive was more of a counteroffensive to an ever slowing Italian offensive which started the war.-Background:...
" to test the new Italian commander. - December 26: Aviator Tito MinnitiTito MinnitiTito Minniti was an Italian pilot who was killed after he was captured by Ethiopians during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War in 1935 near Degehabur. His death and alleged torture became an atrocity story justifying the use of mustard gas against the Ethiopians...
is killed. Badoglio receives permission to use mustard gas to speed up the invasion. This was in direct violation of the 1899 and 1907 Hague ConventionsHague Conventions (1899 and 1907)The Hague Conventions were two international treaties negotiated at international peace conferences at The Hague in the Netherlands: The First Hague Conference in 1899 and the Second Hague Conference in 1907...
, which outlawed the use of chemical weapons. The alleged torture and mutilation of Minniti is claimed as justification.
1936
- January 3: Emperor Haile Selassie protests to League about Italy's bombing of villages.
- January 7 – 10: In the Battle of Ganale Dorya, General Graziani counter-attacks the advancing troops of Ras Desta DamtewDesta DamtewRas Desta Damtew was an Ethiopian noble, an army commander, and a son-in-law of Emperor Haile Selassie I.-Biography:...
. After more than three days of slaughter, the Ethiopians break and flee. - January 20: Negele BoranNegele BoranNegele Borana is a town in southern Ethiopia. Located in the Guji Zone of the Oromia Region on the road connecting Addis Ababa to Dolo Odo, it has a latitude and longitude of with an altitude of about 1,475 meters above sea level. It is the administrative center of Liben woreda...
in SidamoSidamo ProvinceSidamo was a province in the southern part of Ethiopia, with its capital city at Irgalem, and after 1978 at Awasa. It was named after an ethnic group native to Ethiopia, called the Sidamo, or more particularly, Sidama, who are located in the south-central part of that country...
province is captured by Graziani. Ethiopia asks for stronger sanctions against Italy. - January 20– 24: The inconclusive First Battle of TembienFirst Battle of TembienThe First Battle of Tembien was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks and counterattacks by Italian forces under Marshal Pietro Badoglio and Ethiopian forces under Ras Kassa Haile Darge...
brings the Ethiopian "Christmas Offensive" to an end. - February 10: The Italians attack and the Ethiopians under Ras MulugetaMulugeta YeggazuRas Mulugeta Yeggazu, was an Ethiopian government official. He served as Imperial Fitawrari, Commander of the Mahel Sefari of the Ethiopian Army during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.-Biography:...
counterattack in the Battle of Amba AradamBattle of Amba AradamThe Battle of Amba Aradam was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks and counterattacks by Italian forces under Marshal of Italy Pietro Badoglio and Ethiopian forces under Ras Mulugeta Yeggazu...
southwest of ChalacotChalacotChalacot or Chelekot is a village in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Located in the Enderta woreda of the Debubawi Zone, 10 kilometers north of Antalo and 17 kilometers south of Mek'ele, the village has a latitude and longitude of with an approximate elevation of 2100 meters above sea level...
. - February 19: The Battle of Amba AradamBattle of Amba AradamThe Battle of Amba Aradam was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks and counterattacks by Italian forces under Marshal of Italy Pietro Badoglio and Ethiopian forces under Ras Mulugeta Yeggazu...
ends and the Ethiopians are defeated with heavy losses, including Mulugeta and his son. - February 27: The Second Battle of TembienSecond Battle of TembienThe Second Battle of Tembien was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks by Italian forces under Marshal Pietro Badoglio on Ethiopian forces under Ras Kassa Haile Darge and Ras Seyoum Mangasha...
begins. - February 29: The Ethiopians are defeated in the Second Battle of TembienSecond Battle of TembienThe Second Battle of Tembien was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks by Italian forces under Marshal Pietro Badoglio on Ethiopian forces under Ras Kassa Haile Darge and Ras Seyoum Mangasha...
leaving few survivors from the armies of Ras KassaKassa Haile DargeRas Kassa Haile Darge GCVO, GBE , was a Shewan nobleman, the son of Haile Wolde Kiros of Lasta and Tisseme Darge, and grandson of Ras Darge Sahle Selassie the brother of Menelik II's father....
and Ras SeyoumSeyum MangashaSeyum Mangasha KBE was an army commander and a member of the Royal family of the Ethiopian Empire.-Biography:...
. - February 29: The Battle of ShireBattle of ShireThe Battle of Shire was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks and counterattacks by Italian forces under Marshal of Italy Pietro Badoglio and Ethiopian forces under Ras Imru Haile Selassie...
begins. - March 3: The League asks Italy and Ethiopia to open negotiations.
- March 4: The Battle of ShireBattle of ShireThe Battle of Shire was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks and counterattacks by Italian forces under Marshal of Italy Pietro Badoglio and Ethiopian forces under Ras Imru Haile Selassie...
ends with the destruction of Ras ImruImru Haile SelassieLeul Ras Imru Haile Selassie was an Ethiopian noble, soldier, and diplomat. He was also the cousin of Emperor Haile Selassie.-Biography:...
's army. - March 5: Ethiopia accepts negotiations appeal.
- March 20: Ethiopia again appeals to the League, stating that nothing effective had yet been enforced.
- March 21: Emperor Haile Selassie protests to the League again, reporting Italian atrocities such as use of chemical weapons, destruction of ambulances and the massacre of civilians.
- March 29: Italian planes firebomb HararHararHarar is an eastern city in Ethiopia, and the capital of the modern Harari ethno-political division of Ethiopia...
. - March 31: Emperor Haile Selassie personally leads an unsuccessful counterattackCounterattackA 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...
in the Battle of MaychewBattle of MaychewThe Battle of Maychew was the last major battle fought on the northern front during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. The battle consisted of a failed counterattack by the Ethiopian forces under Emperor Haile Selassie making frontal assaults against prepared Italian defensive positions under the...
. This is the last major battle of the war on the northern front. - April 1: Ethiopia pleads for removal of arms embargo, financial assistance, and heavier sanctions on Italy; Achille StaraceAchille StaraceAchille Starace was a prominent leader of Fascist Italy prior to and during World War II.-Early life and career:Starace was born in Gallipoli in southern Italy near Lecce. He was son of a wine and oil merchant....
's East African Fast Column (Colonna Celere de Africa Orientale) arrives in GondarGondarGondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
. - April 4: Most of what remained of Haile Selassie's withdrawing army is destroyed at Lake Ashangi.
- April 14: The Battle of the OgadenBattle of the OgadenThe Battle of the Ogaden was battle fought in 1936 in the southern front of the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. The battle consisted of attacks by the Italian forces of General Rodolfo Graziani, the Commander-in-Chief of the forces on the "southern front," against Ethiopian defensive positions...
begins on the southern front. - April 17: The League admits failure in the Italo-Ethiopian dispute.
- April 25: The Ethiopians are defeated during the Battle of the Ogaden, but much of the Ethiopian army escapes.
- April 26: Badoglio's launches his "March of the Iron WillMarch of the Iron WillThe March of the Iron Will , or the Iron-Will Column , was a Fascist propaganda event staged during the final days of the Italian invasion of Ethiopia...
" from DessieDessieDessie is a city and a woreda in north-central Ethiopia. Located on the Addis Ababa - Asmara highway in the Debub Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region, this city has a latitude and longitude of with an elevation between 2,470 and 2,550 meters above sea level.Dessie has postal service , and telephone...
. - April 27: Princess TsehaiPrincess TsehaiPrincess Tsehai Haile Selassie was the third daughter and fourth child of Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen Asfaw of Ethiopia....
of Ethiopia appeals to the League. - May 2: Emperor Haile Selassie leaves the capital city of Addis AbabaAddis AbabaAddis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
for Djibouti, whence he travels to Europe to personally address the League. He appoints Ras Imru Haile SelassieImru Haile SelassieLeul Ras Imru Haile Selassie was an Ethiopian noble, soldier, and diplomat. He was also the cousin of Emperor Haile Selassie.-Biography:...
as his regent during his absence. - May 5: The "March of the Iron WillMarch of the Iron WillThe March of the Iron Will , or the Iron-Will Column , was a Fascist propaganda event staged during the final days of the Italian invasion of Ethiopia...
" is completed and Addis Ababa is captured by Italian forces. - May 7: Italy officially annexes Ethiopia.
- May 8: Graziani enters Harar.
- May 9: Victor Emmanuel III is proclaimed Emperor of AbyssiniaEmperor of EthiopiaThe Emperor of Ethiopia was the hereditary ruler of Ethiopia until the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. The Emperor was the head of state and head of government, with ultimate executive, judicial and legislative power in that country...
and Badoglio is appointed as his ViceroyViceroyA viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
in Ethiopia. - May 10: Italian troops from the northern front and from the southern front link up at Dire DawaDire DawaDire Dawa is one of two chartered cities in Ethiopia . This chartered city is divided administratively into two woredas, the city proper and the non-urban woreda of Gurgura....
. - June 1: Italy merges Ethiopia with Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, calling the new state Africa Orientale Italiana (Italian East Africa).
- June 11: Marshal Graziani is appointed Viceroy of Ethiopia.
- June 20: Emperor Haile Selassie addresses the League of Nations. The League officially condemns the Italian actions.
- July 4: The League drops all sanctions against Italy.
- July 28: Two sons of Ras KassaKassaKassa can either mean:* Košice a town in Slovakia*Kassa, Mali* Kassa A Dutch consumer protection TV program* Kassa an African ruler* Iles de Los*Kassa, Italian Artist and Designer, http://www.kassa.it...
lead several thousand men in an attempt to recapture Addis Ababa from the Italians, but are driven back by the Italian garrison. Suspected of supporting this action, the archbishop of DessieDessieDessie is a city and a woreda in north-central Ethiopia. Located on the Addis Ababa - Asmara highway in the Debub Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region, this city has a latitude and longitude of with an elevation between 2,470 and 2,550 meters above sea level.Dessie has postal service , and telephone...
, Abuna Petros, is shot by the Italians. - October: The Italians begin armed campaigns into the two-thirds of Ethiopia still administered by Imperial officials.
- December 18: Ras Imru surrenders to the Italians near the Gojeb RiverGojeb RiverThe Gojeb River is eastward-flowing tributary of the Omo River in Ethiopia. It rises in the mountains of Guma, flowing in almost a direct line its confluence with the Omo at....
. Italy declares the country pacified.
1937
- February 19: The final battle between the two armies is fought: Gogetti. The surviving elements of the armies of Sidamo and Bale are encircled and destroyed by the Italian forces near Lake ShalaLake ShalaLake Shala lies in Ethiopia south of Addis Ababa, in the Abijatta-Shalla National Park. The lake is 28 kilometers long and 12 wide, with a surface area of 329 square kilometers. It has a maximum depth of 266 meters and is at an elevation of 1,558 meters...
. Dejazmach Beiene Merid and Dejazmach Gabre Mariam are killed; Ras Desta DamtewDesta DamtewRas Desta Damtew was an Ethiopian noble, an army commander, and a son-in-law of Emperor Haile Selassie I.-Biography:...
although wounded escapes the slaughter, only to be hunted down and killed five days later. - December 21: Amedeo, 3rd Duke of AostaAmedeo, 3rd Duke of AostaPrince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta was the third Duke of Aosta and a first cousin, once removed of the King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III. His baptismal name was Amedeo Umberto Isabella Luigi Filippo Maria Giuseppe Giovanni di Savoia-Aosta...
is appointed Viceroy of Ethiopia.