ORESTE BARATIERI

Four days later following the urging of their government, the Italians attacked at Adowa and were badly beaten. Baratieri was sacked and court-marshaled but was acquitted. The telegram became historically famous for the political interference problems in military tactics and strategy. Most military observers believe that Baratieri was fighting a winning campaign as the Ethiopians had completely overextended their supply lines and had to forage off the land which was becoming bare. In a few days the Ethiopian army would have started drifting away. But the politicians in Italy wanted honor and a symbolic resounding defeat of the Ethiopians on the battlefield.

Of the 10, 596 Italian troops, 4,133 were killed or missing and 2,000 were captured. Baratieri was court-marshaled but acquitted. Italy’s imperial African plans were dashed. This defeat did much to create and sustain the poor world military reputation of the Italians extending to this day.

Nonetheless and even though he was outnumbered, he was goaded into an attack by Prime Minister Crispi. The Italians lost decisively ending their African colonial plans.

Of the 10, 596 Italian troops, 4,133 were killed or missing and 2,000 were captured. Baratieri was court-marshaled but acquitted. Italy’s imperial African plans were dashed. This defeat did much to create and sustain the poor world military reputation of the Italians extending to this day.

Nonetheless and even though he was outnumbered, he was goaded into an attack by Prime Minister Crispi. The Italians lost decisively ending their African colonial plans.