Giovanni Messe

In other circumstances, the armoured warfare experience Messe possessed might have caused him to be given a command alongside Erwin Rommel in North Africa. But, instead, he was chosen to be the commander of the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia (Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia, or CSIR). The CSIR was a mobile infantry and cavalry unit of the Italian army that took part in Operation Barbarossa, the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union.

Initially, the number of Italian troops in southern Russia numbered around 60,000. Messe never thought that this force was properly outfitted or supplied for the extreme conditions of the "Russian Front". By July 1942, the far larger Italian Army in Russia (Armata Italiana in Russia, or ARMIR) replaced the CSIR and General Italo Gariboldi replaced Messe. On 1 November 1942 Messe left Russia.

The number of Italian troops in Russia had grown to about 200,000. Although the troops fought well during the initial summer campaign, they lacked anti-tank weaponry suitable in winter conditions. During the

Tunisia

In February 1943, Messe was appointed as the new commander of the

Messe fought a defensive campaign against the advancing British and allied forces, and was defeated at the Mareth Line. The lack of resources available to the general Messe could not prevent the inevitable defeat of the Axis in North Africa.

On 12 May 1943 Messe was promoted to the rank of

Following the conclusion of the war, he wrote a book about his experiences, titled Come finì la guerra in Africa. La "Prima Armata" italiana in Tunisia (How the war in Africa ended. The "First Army" of Italy in Tunisia). His military popularity remained with him in civilian life and from 1953 to 1955, Messe was a democratically elected representative in the Italian Senate. He was also president of the Italian Veterans Association, a post which he held until his death. His life was profiled in a biography written by Luigi Argentieri titled Messe—soggetto di un'altra storia (Messe—subject of another history) published in 1997.

Giovanni Messe died on 18 December 1968, at the age of eighty-five.

Awards and decorations

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

War Merit Cross – Albania, 19 June 1920

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

Promotion for War Merits – to Lieutenant Colonel, 1918

Onorificenze straniere

	Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
	— 23 gennaio 1942[3]

References