He was born in Mortara, province of Pavia, on 13 July 1883, son of Carlo Mazzini and Merope Spagna.

He fought during the Italo-Turkish War, distinguishing himself during the battles of Ain Zara, Gargaresh and Zanzur, for which he was awarded a Bronze Medal of Military Valor.

[3] On 31 December 1935 he assumed command of the newly established 5th Alpine Artillery Regiment "Pusteria", with which he left to fight in the war in Ethiopia, where he received another Bronze Medal.

[4][5] On 24 September 1937 he was replaced at the command of the 5th Alpine Artillery Regiment by Colonel Antonio Norcen, and returned to Italy.

[7] When the Kingdom of Italy entered the Second World War on 10 June 1940, he was in command of the artillery of the 4th Army operating on the western Alpine front against France, remaining there until February 1941 and receiving another Bronze Medal.