Francesco De Martini
Encyclopedia
Francesco De Martini was an Italian captain of the Military Information Service
(Servizio Informazioni Militari
, or SIM) in Eritrea
, when the Allies
invaded the Italian East Africa
during World War II.
of the last regular Italian forces in November 1941.
They fought in the hope of an Italian victory with the help of Rommel
in Egypt and in the Mediterranean (called in 1942 by Mussolini "the Italian Mare Nostrum"), that would originate a possible return of the Axis in Eastern Africa.
and Dankalia (southern Eritrea), but did not surrender after the British victory. He decided to hide in the mountains in order to continue the war as a "resistance fighter".
He actively participated in the Italian guerrilla war in Ethiopia
and Eritrea during 1941 and 1942.
In January 1942 Captain De Martini blew up an important ammunition deposit in Massaua (Eritrea) and later, after being captured by the British, was able to escape to Yemen
. From there, he organized a group of Eritrean sailors (with little boats called "sambuco") in order to report British naval movements in the Red Sea to Rome
by radio.
In august 1942 Captain De Martini returned in a "sambuco" to the coast of Eritrea
, where he engaged in guerrilla sabotage operations with his Eritrean sailors until he was captured.
After the end of World War II, Captain Francesco De Martini received the Gold Medal of Military Valor
.
Servizio Informazioni Militari
The Italian Military Intelligence Service was the military intelligence organization for the Royal Army of the Kingdom of Italy from 1900 until 1946, and of the Republic of Italy until 1949...
(Servizio Informazioni Militari
Servizio Informazioni Militari
The Italian Military Intelligence Service was the military intelligence organization for the Royal Army of the Kingdom of Italy from 1900 until 1946, and of the Republic of Italy until 1949...
, or SIM) in Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
, when the Allies
Allies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
invaded the Italian East Africa
Italian East Africa
Italian East Africa was an Italian colonial administrative subdivision established in 1936, resulting from the merger of the Ethiopian Empire with the old colonies of Italian Somaliland and Italian Eritrea. In August 1940, British Somaliland was conquered and annexed to Italian East Africa...
during World War II.
Historical background
Many Italians fought a guerrilla war in "Africa Orientale Italiana", after the surrender at GondarGondar
Gondar or Gonder is a city in Ethiopia, which was once the old imperial capital and capital of the historic Begemder Province. As a result, the old province of Begemder is sometimes referred to as Gondar...
of the last regular Italian forces in November 1941.
They fought in the hope of an Italian victory with the help of Rommel
Rommel
Erwin Rommel was a German World War II field marshal.Rommel may also refer to:*Rommel *Rommel Adducul , Filipino basketball player*Rommel Fernández , first Panamanian footballer to play in Europe...
in Egypt and in the Mediterranean (called in 1942 by Mussolini "the Italian Mare Nostrum"), that would originate a possible return of the Axis in Eastern Africa.
De Martini guerrilla actions
In the first months of 1941 he fought the invasion of the British forces in AssabAssab
Assab is a port city in the Southern Red Sea Region of Eritrea on the west coast of the Red Sea. In 1989, it had a population of 39,600. Assab possesses an oil refinery, which was shut down in 1997 for economic reasons...
and Dankalia (southern Eritrea), but did not surrender after the British victory. He decided to hide in the mountains in order to continue the war as a "resistance fighter".
He actively participated in the Italian guerrilla war in Ethiopia
Italian guerrilla war in Ethiopia
The Italian guerrilla war in Ethiopia was as an armed struggle fought from the summer of 1941 to the autumn of 1943 by remnants of Italian troops in Italian East Africa, following the Italian defeat during the East African Campaign of World War II.-History:...
and Eritrea during 1941 and 1942.
In January 1942 Captain De Martini blew up an important ammunition deposit in Massaua (Eritrea) and later, after being captured by the British, was able to escape to Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
. From there, he organized a group of Eritrean sailors (with little boats called "sambuco") in order to report British naval movements in the Red Sea to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
by radio.
In august 1942 Captain De Martini returned in a "sambuco" to the coast of Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
, where he engaged in guerrilla sabotage operations with his Eritrean sailors until he was captured.
After the end of World War II, Captain Francesco De Martini received the Gold Medal of Military Valor
Gold Medal of Military Valor
The Gold Medal of Military Valor is an Italian medal established on 21 May 1793 by King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia "....per bassi ufficiali e soldati che avevano fatto azioni di segnalato valore in guerra" .The face of the medal displayed the profile of the king, and on its reverse was a flag...
.