Bruto Brivonesi

Bruto Brivonesi was an Italian admiral born in Ancona on 22 November 1888, son of Benedetto Brivonesi and Ida Costanzi. He joined the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno in 1905 and graduated as an ensign in 1909. During the Italo-Turkish War (1911–1912), he served aboard the battleship *Sardegna*. In World War I, he fought on land with the Naval Brigade along the Piave river, earning two Bronze Medals of Military Valor and a War Merit Cross. After the war, Brivonesi held various commands, including torpedo boats and destroyers, and served as Chief of Staff of the 1st Destroyer Division. He was promoted to captain in 1932 and later commanded the heavy cruiser *Bolzano*. In 1937, he became rear admiral and worked at the Ministry of the Navy. From September 1938 until August 1939, he served as commander of the Naval Academy in Livorno. During World War II, Brivonesi commanded the 5th Naval Division, which included the battleships *Duilio* and *Andrea Doria*, participating in key battles like Calabria and Taranto. In April 1943, he was promoted to admiral and given command of the Ionian and Southern Adriatic Naval Department. After Italy's armistice with the Allies on 8 September 1943, Brivonesi ensured compliance with the terms but allowed German vessels to escape with mines. Post-war, Brivonesi held several high-ranking positions, including Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy and Commander-in-chief of Italian naval forces until his retirement in September 1951. He later served as president of the Naval League from 1950 to ...