Description:

RODOLFO GRAZIANI
(1882 - 1955) Italian army officer who led military expeditions in Libya and Ethiopia prior to the Second World War. Led the Italian invasion of Egypt in 1941. Following the 1943 coup, Mussolini appointed him Defense Minister. A.D.S. 11pp. tall 4to., [n.p., ca. 1950], signed "'Bambi' Graziani" on the final page. The text is titled "I Decreti" ("The Decrees") and contains notes from Graziani possibly for the writing of an autobiography. The "Notes" begin by indicating: "...it would be interesting to me to see the [interpretation?] of various Decrees emanating from the reconstitution and discipline of the Armed Forces and note the differences...". The balance of the document refers to several important decrees from Mussolini regarding the "the National Republican State", including that of Apr. 18, 1944 in which Mussolini created the Servizi Ausiliari Femminili (SAF), a women's auxiliary service in the Republican Army. Other decrees mentioned include: Feb. 18, 1944, which imposed the death penalty on those who refused to serve or deserted from the army; the Decree of March 15, 1944, the day the second Allied attempt to capture Monte Cassino began; the Decree of June 14, 1944, the day of the Invasion of Normandy; June 16, 1944 and so on. The final, incomplete, page appears to contain autobiographical information. Boldly penned in his embellished hand in bright green fountain ink, fine condition. Worthy of further research.

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July 21, 2011 11:30 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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