In the meantime Pizzolato had been promoted to major general in January 1942, and from 15 May he was appointed commander of the new 80th Infantry Division La Spezia, an airborne unit, initially intended for use in the planned assault on Malta, but then sent to Libya in October 1942. He commanded this unit during the Tunisian campaign until he was killed by British aerial strafing near Gabes, on March 27, 1943.