Battle of Amba Aradam

Part of the Second Italo-Abyssinian War

Date

10–19 February 1936

Location

Plain of Calamino, Plain of Antolo, and Amba Aradam, Ethiopia

Result

Decisive Italian victory

Destruction of the Ethiopian army of the right in the north

Belligerents

Kingdom of Italy

Italian Eritrea

Ethiopian Empire

Commanders and leaders

Pietro Badoglio

Ras Mulugeta †

Strength

Approximately 70,000

Approximately 80,000

Casualties and losses

Approx. 800 casualties

Approx. 6,000 killed, Approx. 12,000 wounded
Almost entire army ultimately neutralized as a fighting force

Decisive Italian victory

Kingdom of Italy

The Battle of Amba Aradam (also known as the Battle of Enderta) was a battle fought on the northern front of what was known as the Second Italo-Abyssinian War. This battle consisted of attacks and counterattacks by Italian forces under Marshal of Italy Pietro Badoglio and Ethiopian forces under RasMulugeta Yeggazu. This battle was primarily fought in the area around Amba Aradam which included most of Enderta Province.

On 3 October 1935, General Emilio De Bono advanced into Ethiopia from Eritrea without a declaration of war. De Bono had a force of approximately 100,000 Italian soldiers and 25,000 Eritrean soldiers to advance towards Addis Ababa. In December, after a brief period of inactivity and minor setbacks for the Italians, De Bono was replaced by Badoglio.

Haile Selassie launched the Christmas Offensive late in the year to test Badoglio. By mid-January 1936, Badoglio was ready to renew the Italian advance on the Ethiopian capital. Badoglio ultimately overwhelmed the armies of ill-armed and uncoordinated Ethiopian warriors with mustard gas, tanks, and heavy artillery.

...
Wikipedia