Antonio Gandin

[1] Antonio Gandin was born in Avezzano in 1891, son of Pietro, prefect of the kingdom and of Colomba Desideri.

His nephew Ugo, son of the sister Lucia was a well-known magistrate), Gandin had a degree in literature, attended the Royal Military Academy of Modena and obtained the rank of second lieutenant in 1910.

He was promoted to colonel in 1935 and commanded the 40th Infantry Regiment; in 1937 he entered the General Staff of the Royal Army.

From 16 June 1943, Gandin was commander of the "Acqui” Division; on 24 September 1943 he was shot by the Germans for not wanting to accept unconditional surrender.

Gandin commanded a stubborn and unfortunate resistance against the Germans themselves that led to the massacre of Kefalonia.