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Italian African Police
The Italian African Police (Italian: Polizia dell'Africa Italiana, or PAI), was the provost and police force of Italian North Africa and Italian East Africa from 1 June 1936 to 1 December 1945.
Towards the end of the war in Ethiopia (late 1936 and early 1937), Italy created a corps of Polizia Coloniale ("Colonial Police") for law enforcement in Italian North Africa (Africa Settentrionale Italiana, or ASI; Libya). The corps was created by reorganization of public safety units operating in Libya. By March 1938, it was issuing license plates. The corps was later expanded to operate in Ethiopia and the rest of Italian East Africa (Africa Orientale Italiana; AOI).
In 1939, the corps was renamed Polizia dell'Africa Italiana ("Police of Italian Africa"; PAI). At this time, the corps was supplied with motor vehicles (including armored cars, light tanks, motorcycles, motor-tricycles, and automobiles). The PAI received about 1,000 vehicles and as many motorcycles.
The new corps was initially subordinated to the Ministry of the Colonies and, then, to the "Ministry of Italian Africa" (then held by Alessandro Lessona). Its first commander, from 1937 to 1943, was General Riccardo Maraffa, replaced for a brief period in 1943 by General Quirino Armellini.
The PAI had a reputation for discipline, high training standards, and being well-equipped. Even after the collapse of AOI, the PAI were able to keep the peace in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
During World War II, the Italian colonies in Africa were conquered by the Allies; PAI in the colonies were captured. Some PAI were stationed in Italy, for training and administrative functions.
In September 1943, Italy surrendered to the Allies, but German forces occupied northern and central Italy, and established a puppet government, the Repubblica Sociale Italiana (Italian Social Republic; RSI). The RSI then moved the remnant PAI to the city of Rome, where they helped enforce RSI control and maintain public order.
On 4 June 1944, Rome was liberated by the Allies. The PAI was disbanded and its equipment was given to the regular State Police (Polizia di Stato).
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Italian African Police
The Italian African Police (Italian: Polizia dell'Africa Italiana, or PAI), was the provost and police force of Italian North Africa and Italian East Africa from 1 June 1936 to 1 December 1945.
Towards the end of the war in Ethiopia (late 1936 and early 1937), Italy created a corps of Polizia Coloniale ("Colonial Police") for law enforcement in Italian North Africa (Africa Settentrionale Italiana, or ASI; Libya). The corps was created by reorganization of public safety units operating in Libya. By March 1938, it was issuing license plates. The corps was later expanded to operate in Ethiopia and the rest of Italian East Africa (Africa Orientale Italiana; AOI).
In 1939, the corps was renamed Polizia dell'Africa Italiana ("Police of Italian Africa"; PAI). At this time, the corps was supplied with motor vehicles (including armored cars, light tanks, motorcycles, motor-tricycles, and automobiles). The PAI received about 1,000 vehicles and as many motorcycles.
The new corps was initially subordinated to the Ministry of the Colonies and, then, to the "Ministry of Italian Africa" (then held by Alessandro Lessona). Its first commander, from 1937 to 1943, was General Riccardo Maraffa, replaced for a brief period in 1943 by General Quirino Armellini.
The PAI had a reputation for discipline, high training standards, and being well-equipped. Even after the collapse of AOI, the PAI were able to keep the peace in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
During World War II, the Italian colonies in Africa were conquered by the Allies; PAI in the colonies were captured. Some PAI were stationed in Italy, for training and administrative functions.
In September 1943, Italy surrendered to the Allies, but German forces occupied northern and central Italy, and established a puppet government, the Repubblica Sociale Italiana (Italian Social Republic; RSI). The RSI then moved the remnant PAI to the city of Rome, where they helped enforce RSI control and maintain public order.
On 4 June 1944, Rome was liberated by the Allies. The PAI was disbanded and its equipment was given to the regular State Police (Polizia di Stato).