Graziani, Rodolfo, Marquess (1882–1955)

Italian general. He was commander-in-chief of Italian forces in North Africa during World War II and had some initial success in an advance into Egypt but was comprehensively defeated by British forces 1940, and subsequently replaced. Later, as defence minister in the new Mussolini government, he failed to reorganize a republican fascist army, was captured by the Allies 1945, tried by an Italian military court, and finally released 1950. He remained active in neo-fascist politics until his death.