Farewell to an Hero

[Shikari Sahib]

altough I have never posted on this section, the story of this man was a WWII story.

I want to report the death, occurred last wednesday the 16th of June, of Amedeo Guillet.
born in Piacenza 7-2-1909 he entered the Italian Army and partecipated in Spanish Civil War, Ethiopia war and WWII; after the 1937 he was in charge of Gruppo BAnde Amhara ( a foot and mounted force of mixed Yemenite, Ethiopian and Saudian irregulars).
he was the last Italians to surrender in East Africa, escaping the hunt of English Secret Service for years, changing himself in a "Bhisti".
one of his most famous act of war  was the charge in January  the 21st 1941 of the Gazelle Force close to Agordat.
during this battle his group armed with swords, guns and handgrenades, charged two times the Anglo force , attcking also the Matilda tanks; his second in command , LT Togni died with his horse on the turret of a Matilda.in that battle he lose 800 soldiers, with the result of delay the Anglo advance on Agordat.
he was known by his soldiers as "Cummandar es Sciaitan" or Devil Commander.
he was charged for years by the Secret Service until he obtain a ferry passage to Yemen.
after the war he was Italian Ambassador in many countries as Morocco, India.
with 27 international decorations he left the service on 1975 reitiring in Ireland wehre he died at the age of 101 years.

there are two books about him, in one there is a citation by Maj Max Harari , the man that has made many effort to capture him.
During a formal receivement in India Mr. Harari spoking with him, (without know his real identity) mention that during a battle in 1941 he saw many cavalrymen charging a British column(the Gazelle Force) , he was really surprise by the courage of such soldiers, and particularly of an Italian officer on a white horse.
continued Mr. Harari said that he  hunted that officer for many years without results, and now that this war has ended he would be pleased to meet him and shake his hands.
Amedeo Guillet stand up and said: " the white horse was called Sandor, and .....I was that man Sir."


Rest in Peace

[joroas]

What a life.............

[former user]

what an interesting life

he appears to have been an old school cavalry officer with patriotic and royalist inclinement

for those who wish to recreate him in miniature

[commissarmoody]

Wow sounds like he could tale a tale or 2. What are the names of the books? Any in English?

[former user]

 Sebastian O'Kelly, AMEDEO - Vita, avventure e amori di Amedeo Guillet, un eroe italiano in Africa Orientale, Rizzoli, 2002. ISBN 8817870293.
 Vittorio Dan Segre, La guerra privata del tenente Guillet, Corbaccio Editore, 1993. ISBN 8879720260.
Sebastian O'Kelly, Amedeo - the true story of an Italian's war in Abyssinia 2002 Paperback ISBN 0-00-655247-1
Victor Dan Segre, The Private War Of Ten. Guillet, Corbaccio Editore

it would appear there are translations

[Shikari Sahib]

if not enjoying the Army he should be an Olimpic horseman.
for those interested , altough in Italian ,searching in youtube with :
Amedeo Guillet
you'll find a 6 parts documentaries and interviews from La Storia siamo Noi.
Piero

[AzSteven]

All of those battles and adventures, and still he made it past 100 years?  Amazing.  I have a copy of Amadeo as well, and now I need to read it again.

[Horatius]

What an amazing dude!

Thanks for the documentary Shikari, it was quite entertaining and I think that even people who don't speak Italian might find it interesting, if only to see the photographs and to see the man himself.

[Arlequín]

Yes, thanks for the information. Often the big names in history overshadow people like Amedeo and they have often led far more interesting lives.

Reposa in pace!

[Shikari Sahib]

in 2005 a film crew was in Eritrea for a movie about him, unfortunately the situation of the country doesn't allow for filming (war) and the producer gave up, so no movie , it's a pity.

[commissarmoody]

in 2005 a film crew was in Eritrea for a movie about him, unfortunately the situation of the country doesn't allow for filming (war) and the producer gave up, so no movie , it's a pity.

That sucks, they should have change locations

[Shikari Sahib]

You know how are the producers and director, or there or nothing. This is what is reporter in newspapers.
Piero

[Count Winsky]

May this brave and gallant soldier rest in peace.

[Shikari Sahib]

The Times newspaper published his obituary yesterday 7 July.

A bit delayed but how many Italian soldiers get a half page in the Times obituary page?

Shows how he was regarded.

Yes Bezzo ,expecially by his former enemies.
Could you be' so kind to post it or send the obituary to' my e-mail ?

[Shikari Sahib]

Shikari

I can scan it and send it to you.

Yes please very welcome.
I have started making research ON his story some years ago,
You could send to' my e-mail.