A fascist and a squad member, federal secretary of Florence (1929-1933), he takes part in the Italo-Ethiopian war the 15th Bombing squadrilla (‘The Desperate’) commanded by his friend Ciano, with contemptuous and violent behaviour against the Ethiopians. He becomes Minister of Popular Culture (1939-1943), and then director of the newspaper Il Messaggero. Sheltered in Germany after 25 July 1943, he is one of the founders of the Italian Social Republic. As secretary of the republican fascist party (PFR), he militarises the party by creating the ‘Brigate nere’ (Black Brigades) that increase the level of furious violence of the civil war. Captured by the partisans while fleeing to Switzerland, he is executed by a firing squad in Dongo on 28 April 1945.
Bibliographical references
Pavolini, Alessandro | 1937 Disperata. Firenze: Valsecchi.