ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Biographics Baron Amedeo Guillet: The Private War of the Devil Commander
Some months ago, we shared a story about Italian WWII navy commander Junio Valerio Borghese. Many of you expressed interest in learning about more military figures from the Italian side of the Axis alliance, as they often receive less attention than their German counterparts. Today, we introduce a fascinating figure who might pique your curiosity.
Meet Baron Amedeo Guillet, an Olympic-level horse rider, a charismatic leader, a cavalry officer in three wars, a guerrilla fighter, and a secret agent. This is the tale of how he became known as the ‘Devil Commander’ and waged a private war against the British Empire in East Africa.
Baron Amedeo Guillet was born on February 7th, 1909, in Piacenza, northern Italy, into an aristocratic family. Following family tradition, he joined the military academy and graduated in 1931 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Cavalry. His exceptional horse riding skills earned him a spot on the Italian team for the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
As a young officer, Amedeo was known for his charm and rumored romances with celebrities. However, his focus soon shifted from Olympic training to military duty. In 1935, he was sent to Libya to train local mounted troops. Realizing their proficiency, he decided to learn Arabic by attending a local Quranic school, quickly mastering the language to communicate effectively with his soldiers.
In October 1935, Mussolini ordered the invasion of Abyssinia. Despite the war’s brutality, Guillet chose to stay at the front, experiencing the chaos of battle firsthand at the Battle of Selaclacla on Christmas Eve 1935. He witnessed the horrors of modern warfare, including aerial gas attacks, which he found dishonorable. Guillet preferred to fight with honor, using traditional weapons like a horse, a sword, and a pistol.
When the Italians captured Addis Ababa in May 1936, Guillet was not there to celebrate; he had been ordered back to Tripoli for a special assignment. After recovering from an injury, he spent time with his family, including his cousin Beatrice, with whom he fell in love. However, a law prevented promotions for unmarried officers, so Guillet sought another war to earn a promotion before marrying Beatrice. This opportunity came with the Spanish Civil War, where he volunteered to lead Italian troops.
Guillet participated in significant battles, earning promotions and decorations for his bravery. However, witnessing the atrocities of war began to shake his confidence in Mussolini’s government.
Disillusioned with the political situation in Italy, Guillet requested a posting in Africa. In 1939, he was given command of a multi-ethnic cavalry force to combat Ethiopian guerrilla fighters. His leadership earned him the nickname ‘Devil Commander’ due to his fiery spirit and tactical prowess.
In early 1940, Guillet formed a bond with a local chieftain’s daughter, Khadija, as he deepened his commitment to the fight against the British and French forces in East Africa. However, as the war progressed, supplies dwindled, and Guillet had to employ defensive strategies.
In January 1941, he led a daring cavalry charge against a British mechanized column, a notable episode of the war. Despite heavy losses, his actions provided a crucial respite for his fellow troops.
Guillet continued to fight until Asmara fell to Commonwealth troops in April 1941. He decided to disobey orders and wage a private war against the British, gathering a small group of riders for guerrilla operations. Over the next months, Guillet and his men carried out raids and disrupted British supply lines, showcasing his resourcefulness and cunning.
Eventually, as his forces dwindled, Guillet disbanded his group and sought refuge in Yemen. After a series of adventures, he was welcomed by the local ruler, Imam Yahya, and contributed to the community by training guards and addressing local issues.
In mid-1943, Guillet learned of plans to repatriate Italian civilians and managed to return to Rome. By now a Major, he sought to resume guerrilla actions in East Africa, but the political landscape had changed drastically with Italy’s armistice.
Guillet was assigned to intelligence services and performed several secret missions. He married Beatrice in September 1944, and after the war, he was involved in diplomatic service, utilizing his language skills in various Middle Eastern and North African countries.
In 1967, Guillet served as the Ambassador in Morocco, where he displayed bravery during a coup attempt. He was recognized for his actions and continued to lead an adventurous life.
After retiring to Ireland, Guillet returned to Rome following the death of his wife in 1990. In 2000, he visited Eritrea one last time, receiving honors from the government.
On June 16, 2010, at the age of 101, Amedeo Guillet passed away, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and adventure.
Research more about Baron Amedeo Guillet’s life and military career. Create a presentation that highlights his major achievements and contributions during WWII. Focus on his unique tactics and leadership style. Present your findings to the class, emphasizing how his actions impacted the war in East Africa.
Engage in a class debate on the ethics of guerrilla warfare, using Guillet’s actions as a case study. Consider the moral implications of his decision to continue fighting after the fall of Asmara. Discuss whether his tactics were justified and how they compare to conventional warfare.
Write a creative story from the perspective of Baron Amedeo Guillet during one of his guerrilla operations. Focus on his thoughts, emotions, and the challenges he faced. Use historical facts to make your narrative authentic and engaging.
Analyze maps of East Africa during WWII to trace Guillet’s campaigns. Identify key locations where he led battles or guerrilla operations. Discuss how the geography of the region influenced his military strategies and the outcomes of his engagements.
Participate in a role-playing game where you assume the role of Baron Amedeo Guillet. Make strategic decisions based on historical scenarios he faced. Reflect on how these decisions might have affected the course of the war and discuss the outcomes with your classmates.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript, with sensitive content and inappropriate language removed or modified:
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Some months ago, we published a Biographics on Italian WWII navy commander Junio Valerio Borghese. Many of you asked us to cover more military figures from the Italian side of the Axis alliance, as they receive less attention than their German counterparts. Today, we present someone who may satisfy your curiosity.
Today’s protagonist was an Olympic-level horse rider, a charismatic figure, a cavalry officer in three wars, a guerrilla fighter, and a secret agent. This is the story of how Baron Amedeo Guillet became the ‘Devil Commander’ who waged a private war against the British Empire in East Africa.
**The Early Wars of Baron Guillet**
Baron Amedeo Guillet was born on February 7th, 1909, in Piacenza, northern Italy, into an aristocratic family. Following family tradition, Amedeo enlisted at the military academy, graduating in 1931 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Cavalry. Assigned to a Light Horsemen regiment, he impressed his superiors with his horse riding skills, earning a spot on the Italian horse riding team for the upcoming Berlin Olympics of 1936.
As a young officer, Amedeo became known for his charm and was rumored to have dated several celebrities. However, Olympic training and romantic pursuits would soon give way to military duty. In the summer of 1935, Guillet was ordered to the Italian colony of Libya to train a squadron of local mounted troops. He quickly realized that these riders needed little training and that he had much to learn from them.
To lead them effectively and earn their respect, Guillet decided to learn Arabic by joining a local Quranic school. He had a talent for languages and soon communicated well with his soldiers.
In October 1935, Mussolini ordered the invasion of Abyssinia. Despite the war’s brutality, Guillet chose to remain at the front. He engaged in combat at the Battle of Selaclacla on Christmas Eve 1935, where he experienced the chaos of battle firsthand.
As the war progressed, Guillet witnessed the horrors of modern colonial warfare. He found aerial gas attacks to be dishonorable and ineffective against a highly mobile enemy. Guillet preferred to fight with honor, using a horse, a sword, and a pistol.
When the Italians conquered Addis Ababa in May 1936, Guillet was not there to celebrate; he had been ordered back to Tripoli for a special assignment. After recovering from an injury, he spent time with his relatives, including his cousin Beatrice, with whom he fell deeply in love.
However, a recent law forbade promotions for unmarried officers, so Guillet planned to seek another war to earn a promotion before marrying Beatrice. This opportunity arose with the start of the Spanish Civil War, where he volunteered to lead a detachment of Italian troops.
Guillet participated in significant battles, earning promotions and decorations for his bravery. However, he also witnessed the atrocities of war, which began to shake his confidence in Mussolini’s government.
**The Devil Commander**
With growing discontent for the political situation in Italy, Guillet requested a posting in Africa. In 1939, he was given command of a multi-ethnic cavalry force to combat Ethiopian guerrilla fighters. His leadership earned him the nickname ‘Devil Commander’ due to his fiery spirit and tactical prowess.
In early 1940, Guillet formed a bond with a local chieftain’s daughter, Khadija, as he deepened his commitment to the fight against the British and French forces in East Africa. However, as the war progressed, supplies dwindled, and Guillet had to employ defensive strategies.
In January 1941, he led a daring cavalry charge against a British mechanized column, which became a notable episode of the war. Despite heavy losses, his actions provided a crucial respite for his fellow troops.
Guillet continued to fight until Asmara fell to Commonwealth troops in April 1941. He made the decision to disobey orders and wage a private war against the British, gathering a small group of riders to conduct guerrilla operations.
Over the next months, Guillet and his men carried out raids and disrupted British supply lines. Despite the challenges, he managed to evade capture multiple times, showcasing his resourcefulness and cunning.
Eventually, as his forces dwindled, Guillet decided to disband his group and sought refuge in Yemen. After a series of adventures, he was welcomed by the local ruler, Imam Yahya, and contributed to the community by training guards and addressing local issues.
**Homecoming**
In mid-1943, Guillet learned of plans to repatriate Italian civilians and managed to return to Rome. By now a Major, he sought to resume guerrilla actions in East Africa, but the political landscape had changed drastically with Italy’s armistice.
Guillet was assigned to intelligence services and performed several secret missions. He married Beatrice in September 1944, and after the war, he was involved in diplomatic service, utilizing his language skills in various Middle Eastern and North African countries.
In 1967, Guillet served as the Ambassador in Morocco, where he displayed bravery during a coup attempt. He was recognized for his actions and continued to lead an adventurous life.
After retiring to Ireland, Guillet returned to Rome following the death of his wife in 1990. In 2000, he visited Eritrea one last time, receiving honors from the government.
On June 16, 2010, at the age of 101, Amedeo Guillet passed away, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and adventure.
Thank you for watching!
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing or altering sensitive content.
Baron – A title of nobility, often granted for military service, that ranks below a viscount or count. – During the Middle Ages, a baron was often responsible for providing troops to the king in times of war.
Amedeo – A name of Italian origin, often associated with historical figures, including those involved in military history. – Prince Amedeo of Savoy played a significant role in Italy’s military campaigns during the 19th century.
Guillet – A surname that may be associated with notable military figures or historians. – Colonel Guillet was known for his strategic brilliance during the North African campaigns of World War II.
Military – Relating to the armed forces or to soldiers, arms, or war. – The military strategies employed during World War I were drastically different from those used in previous conflicts.
Cavalry – Soldiers who fought on horseback, historically a key component of armies before the advent of mechanized warfare. – The cavalry charge at the Battle of Waterloo was one of the most famous in military history.
Guerrilla – A form of irregular warfare in which small groups use tactics like ambushes and raids to fight larger traditional military forces. – Guerrilla warfare played a crucial role in the American Revolution, allowing smaller colonial forces to harass British troops effectively.
Africa – The second-largest continent, which has been the site of numerous historical military campaigns and conflicts. – The North Africa Campaign during World War II was a pivotal series of battles between the Allies and Axis powers.
Italy – A European country with a rich history of military and political influence, particularly during the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. – Italy’s involvement in World War II began with its invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, marking a period of aggressive expansionism.
War – A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country. – The causes of the Peloponnesian War were rooted in the rivalry between Athens and Sparta for dominance in ancient Greece.
Commander – An officer in charge of a military unit or operation, responsible for strategic planning and execution. – General Eisenhower served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force during the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
