Italian Fascist War Crimes in Ethiopia - Societa italiana di storia ...

126 Richard Pankhurst
not satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to justify listing him as a war
criminal.”
B a ron Leijonhufvud, re p resenting Ethiopia, then intervened. He ex p l a i n e d
that “during the actual campaign leading up to the conquest of Addis Ababa,
G raziani was the commander of the southern front, while Badoglio, who wa s
commander-in-chief, was in command of the whole of the northern front. When
Badoglio took up the command in November 1935, he had directions given to him
f rom Mussolini, but within their limits he had ‘liberty of action, independence
and initiative necessary to a commander of high rank, who has the re s p o n s i b i l i t y
for a war that is fought at such a distance from the mother country.’” This, he
explained, was clearly stated in Badoglio’s own book La guerra d’Etiopia.
Dr. Rynning then drew attention to one of Mussolini’s telegrams, in which
the use of poison-gas was authorized. From this he argued that Badoglio “must
have been acquainted with all that was taking place.”
Lord Wright shared this view. He argued “that bombing with poison-gas
involved the most elaborate preparations of every kind.” Sir Robert, who had
thus taken a severe hammering, thereupon naively asked “whether there was
any direct evidence of atrocities committed by Badoglio in his sector while he
was commander-in-chief here.” Leijonhufvud replied by pointing out that the
Ethiopian charges clearly indicated where the alleged crimes had been committed.
Those on the southern front were indicated with the letter “S,” while the
remainder had taken placed on the northern sector, under Badoglio’s direct
command. In view of the numerous incidents reported for the northern front,
Sir Robert finally agreed to list Badoglio for the use of poison-gas, but continued
to oppose charging him for other bombing.
Sir Robert’s position was then challenged by Dr Rynning. He declared that
there was “no doubt that there was no justifiable reason” for “Italian bombing
of the Red Cross ambulances etc.,” and that “it was very likely that Badoglio
must have had some responsibility.” He concluded that there was “sufficient
evidence to list Badoglio as a Suspect on this count.”
Leijonhufvud commented that this was “the first time in history” that Red
Cross units were “continuously persecuted,” and that such “repeated bombardments”
could not have been other than “intentional,” and “must have been part
of a policy.”