In 1939 he assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division Superga, which after Italy’s entrance into World War II on 10 June 1940, participated in the brief offensive against France. In September 1940 he became commander of the 1st Army Corps, based in Turin. On January 1, 1942, he was promoted to lieutenant general, and on March 3 of the same year he was appointed Chief of Staff of the High Command in North Africa, replacing General Gastone Gambara, who had fallen out with the commander of Afrika Korps, General Erwin Rommel. In August 1942, following the changes in the organization of the hierarchical structure undertaken by Marshal Ugo Cavallero, he was placed at the head of Delease, the Delegation of the Italian Supreme Command in North Africa and its main liaison with Rommel.