Giovanni Messe

Giovanni Messe (10 December 1883 – 18 December 1968) was an Italian field marshal and politician. In the Second World War, he was captured in Tunisia but made chief of staff of the Italian Co-belligerent Army after the armistice of September 1943.

Early life and career
Messe was born in Mesagne, in the Province of Brindisi in the Apulia region of Italy on 10 December 1883. Giovanni Messe pursued a military career in 1901.
Military career
Giovanni Messe was an Italian general who served in several key World War II campaigns. After Italy invaded Albania in 1939, he served under Governor Ubaldo Soddu. During the Greco-Italian War (1940–41), he led the Special Army Corps but was forced to retreat when Greek forces counterattacked. In 1941, Germany’s intervention led to an Axis victory in Greece. Messe was later sent to command the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia, where he criticized poor equipment and harsh conditions. By 1942, he was replaced and withdrew from the Russian Front. In 1943, he led the 1st Italian Army in Tunisia, succeeding Rommel, but was defeated and surrendered to Allied forces after the fall of Tunis. Promoted to Marshal of Italy just before his capture, he later supported the Royalist cause and became Chief of Staff of the Italian Co-Belligerent Army after the armistice. Messe retired in 1947 after 46 years of service.

Awards and decorations

100px Silver Medal of Military Valor – Gorizia, 21–23 May 1917

100px War Merit Cross – Albania, 19 June 1920

80px Promotion for War Merits – to Lieutenant General, Valona – Kalamas, 1940–1941

80px Promotion for War Merits – to Lieutenant Colonel, 1918''

 Onorificenze straniere 
 60x30px|center|Croce di Cavaliere della Croce di Ferro - ribbon for ordinary uniform  Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross — 23 gennaio 1942ww2awards.com.

 References 

Category:Italian people
Category:World War II people by nationality
Category:World War II people
Category:World War I people by nationality
Category:World War I people
Category: Italian people of World War II
Category: Italian people of World War I