In 1928, starting as the Under-Secretary in the Ministry of War, Gazzera was the Minister of War from 1929 to 1933.[1] From 1 August 1938 to 6 July 1941, Gazzera was the Governor of
Galla-Sidamo in
Italian East Africa.
General Gazzera commanded forces in the "Southern Sector" (the Galla and Sidamo area around
Jimma) during the
East African Campaign. Following the
fall of
Amba Alagi in May 1941, Gazzera succeeded
Amedeo, Duke of Aosta as the acting
Governor-General of Italian East Africa. After Jimma fell on 21 June, Gazzera staged a mobile defense and held out in Galla-Sidamo for several weeks. His forces finally capitulated in July 1941 when he was
cut off by the
Free Belgian Forces of Major-General
Auguste-Éduard Gilliaert.
Command history
Commanding Officer, Brigade Basilicata – 1926
Commandant of War School – 1926
General Officer Commanding, Division Genova – 1926 to 1928
Under-Secretary Ministry of War – 1928 to 1929
Minister of War – 1929 to 1933
Governor of Galla and Sidamo – 1938 to 1941
Member of the Commission for the Affairs of Italian Africa, Senate – 1939 to 1940
General Officer Commanding, 24th Colonial Division – 1940 to 1941