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COMMANDER // 1887–1968

Mario Roatta

generalItalyNationalist Spain2 battles1 war

Lifespan

1887 – 1968

190019251950Spanish Civil War · 1936-1939Battle of Guadalajara — January 1, 1937 · Nationalist Spain · Spanish Civil WarBattle of Málaga — February 3, 1937 · Nationalist Spain · Spanish Civil War

Active service 1937 — 2 battles across 1 war; first command at age 50.

Profile

Mario Roatta was an Italian general. After serving in World War I he rose to command the Corpo Truppe Volontarie which assisted Francisco Franco's nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War. He was the deputy chief of staff of the Italian Army from October 1939 to March 1941 and from March 1941 to January 1942 its chief of staff and helped in preparing for the invasion of Yugoslavia. Roatta would gain the nickname "Black Beast of Yugoslavia” due to his brutal methods of repression.

Source · Wikipedia · Q165220

Battles (2)

Last verified June 2026
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