Domenico Turitto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Domenico Turitto
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| Born | May 25, 1847 Cassano delle Murge, Terra di Bari, Two Sicilies |
| Died | March 1, 1896 (aged 48) Adwa, Tigray, Ethiopia |
| Allegiance |  Italy |
| Branch |  Royal Italian Army |
| Years of service | 1866 – 1896 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Royal Colonial Corps of Eritrea |
| Battles/wars | Mahdist War |
| Alma mater | Military Academy of Modena |
Domenico Turitto was an Italian major who served in the army. He was part of the Royal Colonial Corps of Eritrea. He fought in the Mahdist War, leading the 1st Indigenous Infantry Battalion. He helped take control of Kassala and showed great bravery in the Battle of Kassala.
Later, during the First Italo-Ethiopian War, Turitto led the front part of a special brigade. He was killed in a big battle called the Battle of Adwa. Domenico Turitto received important awards for his courage, like the Silver and Bronze Medals of Military Valor. He was also made a knight of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.
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Becoming a Soldier
Domenico Turitto was born in Cassano delle Murge, Italy, on May 25, 1847. His father was a lawyer named Sante, and his mother was Antonia Recchia. After finishing high school, Domenico decided to join the army.
He went to the Military Academy of Modena, a special school for future army officers. He graduated on June 17, 1866, as a second lieutenant. This was just in time for him to join the Third Italian War of Independence.
Turitto was sent to serve in the 60th Infantry Regiment "Calabria" in Naples. There, he helped calm down some protests that happened that same year.
Moving Up in the Ranks
His regiment later moved to Turin. Turitto continued to work hard and was promoted to lieutenant in 1873. In 1882, he became a captain. He also attended a special army school called the Scuola di guerra dell'esercito.
In 1885, he joined the 37th Ravenna Infantry Regiment. He took part in an important trip led by Colonel Tancredi Saletta. This trip resulted in the Italian army taking control of Massawa, a city in Africa.
While in Africa, on March 3, 1886, Turitto received a Bronze Medal of Military Valor for his bravery. After returning to Italy, he served with the 37th Ravenna Infantry Regiment again. He later became an aide to General Carlo Genè.
Taking Control of Kassala
On November 2, 1887, Turitto went back to East Africa. He was part of an expedition led by General Alessandro Asinari di San Marzano. He joined the 1st Indigenous Infantry Regiment in 1888.
In 1889, he took command of the IV Indigenous Battalion. He helped General Antonio Baldissera take control of Asmara in August. Turitto then returned to Italy on December 25, 1890. He worked as an aide for the 5th Infantry Regiment.
He went back to Italian Eritrea in late 1892. There, he took command of the I Indigenous Battalion. In 1893, he was promoted to major.
The Battle of Kassala
On July 17, 1894, Major Turitto fought in the Battle of Kassala. This battle was against the Mahdist Sudanese forces. He showed great skill and bravery during the fight. For his actions, he was given the Knight's Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.
General Oreste Baratieri stayed in Kassala for a few days after the battle. He made sure the Italian army's control of the city was strong. On July 29, General Baratieri left with General Giuseppe Arimondi to help Major Turitto build a fort.
Once the fort was finished, Turitto stayed there with 4 companies of soldiers. He had about 1,000 men, including artillery with two mountain guns.
The Battle of Adwa
Major Turitto remained in Kassala until the First Italo-Ethiopian War began. This was a major conflict between Italy and the Ethiopian Empire.
Before the big Battle of Adwa, Turitto's battalion was placed at the very front of the Indigenous Brigade. This brigade was led by General Matteo Albertone. Turitto's battalion was sent to take control of a hill near Adwa.
As dawn broke, Turitto's unit was attacked by a large group of the Imperial Ethiopian Army. This attack started the main battle. Instead of falling back, Turitto chose to fight. He wanted to give General Albertone more time to get his troops into a good defensive position.
Turitto and his men fought bravely for several hours against the soldiers of Menelik II, the Ethiopian emperor. Major Turitto was killed during the Ethiopian attack on March 1, 1896. His body was never found.
After his death, he was given the Silver Medal for Military Valor. The 1st Eritrean Indigenous Battalion was named after him until it was disbanded in July 1941.
Remembering Domenico Turitto
Today, streets in his hometown of Cassano delle Murge and in Bari are named after him. The town of Toritto was also named in his honor.
Awards
- Silver Medal of Military Valor
Commander of the vanguard battalion of the indigenous brigade alone withstood the first blow of the enemy masses, displaying exemplary energy and courage. He left his life in the field
- Bronze Medal of Military Valor
- Knight of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
For the skill and energy deployed in combat, and for the perseverance placed in trying to reach the fleeing enemy.
See also
- Giuseppe Galliano
- Stefano Hidalgo
- Francesco Carchidio Malvolti
- Pietro Toselli
- Royal Colonial Corps of Eritrea
