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COMMANDER // 1884–1973

Annibale Bergonzoli

generalItalyNationalist Spain2 battles2 wars

Lifespan

1884 – 1973

190019251950Spanish Civil War · 1936-1939World War II · 1939–1945 (1941–1945 U.S. combat role)Battle of Guadalajara — January 1, 1937 · Nationalist Spain · Spanish Civil WarBattle of Bardia — January 3, 1941 · Italy · World War II

Active service 1937–1941 — 2 battles across 2 wars; first command at age 53.

Profile

Annibale Bergonzoli, nicknamed "barba elettrica", "Electric Whiskers", was an Italian lieutenant general who served during World War I, the Spanish Civil War and World War II. In 1940 he commanded the defences of Bardia, Libya. In February 1941, after the disastrous Battle of Beda Fomm, Bergonzoli surrendered to Australian forces. He was held as a prisoner in India and the USA before being repatriated to Italy. Bergonzoli settled in his birthplace, Cannobio, and died there in 1973.

Source · Wikipedia · Q74526

Battles (2)

Last verified June 2026
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