Senior Italian Generals

[VJK]

Can anyone please give some information about the commands held by Generale di corpo d'armata Francesco Garnier. I have been able to find absolutely nothing about what positions he held. This is what I do have:

Born: 14 March 1862 in Pinerolo
Died: May 1942 in Roma

Promotions:
Sottotenente:
Tenente:
Capitano:
Maggiore: 31 Dec 1905
Tenente colonnello:
Colonnello: 6 Jul 1915
Maggiore generale: 1 Aug 1919
Generale di divisione: 1 Feb 1923
Generale di corpo d’armata:

Awards & Decorations:
Grande ufficiale dell’Ordine della Corona d’Italia: 27 Oct 1937
Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Corona d’Italia: 4 Jun 1903

I realise that he is not a Generale d'armata or designato, but I didn't want to open a new topic specially.
Any help would be most appreciated.

Best regards,

VJK

[Steen Ammentorp]

Hi VJK,

An elusive gentleman to which I can only add little!

Firstly my "Ruoli ufficiali Generali del R. Esercito", 1933 gives his date of promotion for Maggiore Generale as 11th April 1918. Regarding his promotion to Generale de Corpo d'Armata then "Ruolo ufficiali Generali del R. Esercito", 1937 gives the date 16th June 1934. Both in the 1933 and 1937 lists, he is listed in the Reserve. According to a Bolletino Militare in La Stampa 7th July 1917 he re-ceived the function of the rank of a Maggiore Generale.

Of his appointments, I only know that he were Commander of the 38th Field Artillery Regiment in 1915 and later Commander of the Artillery, II Corps.

[VJK]

Many thanks for that Steen! As you say, a very elusive gentleman indeed!

Kind regards,

Valdis

[VJK]

A couple of years on, I have an update on Nicolosi: "conferito il rango di generale di corpo d'armata designato per il comando d'armata" posted in La Stampa on 31 May 1940.

Kind regards,

VJK

[VJK]

According to Wikipedia, Antonio Basso was "Nel maggio 1943, elevato al rango di comandante d'armata". Whilst I realise that Wikipedia is not the most reliable of sources, nevertheless this seems to be quite a specific statement.
Can anyone please confirm whether Basso was in fact promoted to Generale di corpo d'armata designato d'armata.

Many thanks in advance,

VJK

[askropp]

As I understand it, Basso held only the rank of GCdA, but was appointed to command the equivalent of an army (as there were two corps on Sardinia in 1943.) I believe his position was similar to that of Lemelsen etc. who were mFb of an army while only three-star generals.

[Steen Ammentorp]

Hi VJK,

I have been through the "Bollettino ufficiale delle nomine, promozioni e destinazionai" from January 1943 until the end of August 1943, with no mention of such a promotion. However this is not conclusive as it could have been announced in a later publication if it weren't for the surrender.

[Steen Ammentorp]

Btw. regading Nicolosi a few years later

He was given the rang generale di corpo d'armata designato per il comando d'armata as of 14th January 1940 by royal decree 18th April 1940.

[VJK]

Thank you Steen and askropp for your input re Basso and Nicolosi.

Here is what I now have for Nicolosi:

Mario NICOLOSI
GENERALE DESIGNATO D’ARMATA

Born: 14 January 1877 in Nuoro
Died: 27 April 1943 in Roma

Promotions:
Sottotenente: 6 Jan 1898
Tenente:
Capitano: 1 Sep 1911
Maggiore: 12 Dec 1915
Tenente colonnello:
Colonnello:
Generale di brigata: 1 Jan 1930
Generale di divisione: 6 Apr 1933
Generale di corpo d’armata: 7 Jan 1937
Generale designato d’armata: 18 Apr 1940

Assignments:
1 Jan 1930 - 6 Apr 1933: Commanding Officer, 19th Infantry Brigade
6 Apr 1933 - 12 May 1933: at disposition
12 May 1933 - 8 Feb 1934: General Officer Commanding, Military Territorial Division of Livorno
8 Feb 1934 - 5 May 1935: General Officer Commanding, Military Division "Curtatone e Montanara"
5 May 1935 - 15 Feb 1937: Director General, Personnel Office, Ministry of War
15 Feb 1937 - l Jul 1937: President, Supreme Military Tribunal
1 Jul 1937 - 15 Mar 1938: General Officer Commanding, Army Corps of Firenze
15 Mar 1938 - 1940: General Officer Commanding, Army Corps of Napoli
1940 - 1940: General Officer Commanding, X Army Corps

Awards & Decorations:
Ufficiale dell'Ordine Militare di Savoia: 17 May 1919
Cavaliere dell’Ordine Militare di Savoia: 24 Feb 1918
Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Corona d’Italia: 1 Jun 1916
Ufficiale dell’Ordine dei SS. Maurizio e Lazzaro: 1 Jun 1933
Grande ufficiale dell’Ordine della Corona d’Italia: 18 Jul 1935
Commendatore dell’Ordine coloniale della Stella d’Italia: 16 Jul 1936
Gran Cordone dell’Ordine della Corona d’Italia: 28 Sep 1936
Grand’ufficiale dell’Ordine dei SS. Maurizio e Lazzaro: 4 Feb 1942
Cavaliere dell'Ordine dei SS. Maurizio e Lazzaro: 13 Sep 1918

Kind regards,

VJK

[Steen Ammentorp]

Hi VJK,

A bit more on Nicolosi's later career.

He commanded X Army Corps until 1 Jun 1940, when he was attached to the Ministry of War for special assignments. At one point, he became inspector of officer personnel at the Ministry of War and held that position until 22 Nov 1942, where he again was attached to the Ministry of War for special assignments. He was transferred to the reserve on 14 Jan 1943 but was recalled on the same day and served attached to the Ministry of War until his death.

I believe that his attachments to the Ministry of War was for financial reasons rather than any real purpose.

[VJK]

Thank you very much Steen for that supplementary information.

Kind regards,

Valdis

[VJK]

Hi!

I just noticed that it is 20 years (!!!) today since I joined this esteemed Forum. Thank you everyone for all your huge amount of help over that time.

I have a question regarding the command of the Designated Army of Firenze (later 1st Army). I have Gaetano Giardino commanding until 16 Sep 1923. Who took over from him? I next have Carlo Petitti di Roreto commanding until Dec 1930 when Giuseppe Francesco Ferrari took over (exact date known?), but Petitti di Roreto was commanding Army Corps of Torino until 25 Aug 1924. The Designated Army of Firenze was redesignated Designated Army of Torino on 8 Aug 1925.

Kind regards,

VJK