Paolo Morrone

Paolo Morrone (Torre Annunziata, 3 July 1854 – Rome, 4 January 1937) was an Italian general, politician and Minister of War in the second Salandra government and in the Boselli government. He was among the leading military figures of the First World War.

Family He was the son of Luigi Morrone and Maria Cirillo. He pursued his studies in his hometown and then in Naples. He married Anna Sironi with whom he had two sons, Giuseppe Antonio and Achille. He lived in Rome until his death in 1937.

Military career Having enlisted in the Royal Italian Army on 10 October 1871, he attended courses at the Military Academy of Modena. Appointed sub-lieutenant three years later he was assigned to the 26th Infantry Regiment. Subsequently, he attended the War School in 1884, ranking first in his class with infantry and cavalry weapons. On 26 September 1886 he was appointed captain of the General Staff and Chief of Staff of the Military Division of Ancona. He took part in the African campaign preceding the First Italo-Ethiopian War. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on 8 July 1897, Colonel on 21 March 1901 and commander of the 37th Infantry Regiment, Major General on 23 January 1908 and appointed lieutenant General and commander of the Sicily Brigade on 31 December 1911. and served from 4 April 1916 to 18 June 1916 during the Salandra II government, and from 18 June 1916 - 16 June 1917 in the Boselli government. At the same time he was appointed senator of the Kingdom of Italy on 15 May 1916. They were replaced by General Gaetano Giardino, close to Cadorna, at the Ministry of War and by Vice Admiral Arturo Triangi at that of the Navy. without participating in the final battle of Vittorio Veneto. He held this command until February 1919. Placed at his request in a special auxiliary position in 1922, he was recalled to service the following year as and from 1 February 1923 held the rank of army general.

At the end of 1920 he was one of a group of generals invited by Minister of War Ivanoe Bonomi to assist with reform of the high command. Morrone was among those who approved the new structure based on the French model of collegiate leadership that took effect in February 1921 with the resignation of Pietro Badoglio as chief of staff.

Honours